May 2007/5

HSBC Insurance Brokers has appointed the former Marsh executive Philip Gregory to replace Mike Dixon as chief executive of the subsidiary.

The laws of European Union countries are moving into line as the effect of insurance directives increases, according to a report by reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter and legal firm DLA Piper.

Bermudian headquartered PartnerRe confirmed last week that it has acquired the international reinsurance renewal rights of Mutuelle Centrale de Reassurance (MCR).

Bermudian (re)insurer Platinum Underwriters Holdings has appointed James Krantz as executive vice president and CFO.

Marsh Inc has announced the creation of Marsh Oman LLC, a joint venture with the Omani business Zubair Group.

Broking giant Marsh has established a new renewable energy team that will be headed by Susan Stokes and Tom Sexton.

QBE Insurance (Europe) has merged its London casualty operations to create an £850mn premium-income underwriting unit.

Judges in the UK High Court last week upheld the £48mn divorce award to the ex-wife of John Charman, the former Lloyd's deputy chairman and founding president of AXIS Capital.

Guy Carpenter & Co has appointed the former Benfield Group executive Charlie Fry as its global chief operating officer.

Jerry McArthur, formerly managing director of run-off consultants Claims Management Group Ltd (CMGL) is to head up Capita's Commercial Insurance Services (CIS) following the giant UK outsourcing firm's £32mn acquisition of CMGL.

Insurance broker Willis Group Holdings has applauded two US senators for introducing the National Insurance Act of 2007.

Increased capacity and a low loss record are combining to soften the energy market and prices will fall "a good deal further" in the absence of catastrophe losses, according to a report published by Willis Group Holdings last week.