May 2007/2

Stephen Way, the founder of HCC Insurance Holdings, has joined forces with a Chicago-based private equity firm to acquire businesses in the (re)insurance sector.

Bermudian reinsurer, Paris Re has appointed underwriters as it prepares an initial public offering (IPO) later this year which could value the firm at $2-3bn, just one year after it was bought out from AXA SA.

Latest developments in the London (re)insurance market

Ironshore Insurance Ltd, the $1bn Bermudian insurer formed by father-and-son team Bob and John Clements at the back end of last year, is on the verge of launching a US platform, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Former Royal & Sun Alliance (R&SA) US subsidiary, Royal Indemnity, has been ordered to pay defence costs in its increasingly acrimonious asbestos dispute with General Motors (GM).

After a pause caused by events in Florida, the industry is again repackaging its risks onto the capital markets. Indeed, the number of shelf registrations reflects the vibrancy of the ILS market...

Warren Buffett has signalled his intention to undertake a large acquisition, saying that Berkshire Hathaway Inc (Berkshire) has more cash than investment opportunities.

The impact of legislative actions in Florida earlier this year was reflected in the top line shrinking by 18 percent at RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd as the reinsurer reported first quarter figures.

American Wholesale Insurance Group (AmWINS) is in advanced talks to take control of London market broker Besso Group and become the latest US broker to acquire a foothold in London, The Insurance Insider understands.

Former Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd executive David Cabral has teamed up with US excess and surplus (E&S) lines insurer Rockhill Holding Company in seeking approval to launch a Lloyd’s casualty syndicate, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Bermudian reinsurer Montpelier Re is close to unveiling details of a Lloyd’s platform as it looks to broaden its geographic reach, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Despite a share price that has leapt from 3p to the heady heights of 4.5p in the past few months, GoshawK’s market capitalisation is a mere £40mn.