November 2006/3

AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd confirmed earlier this month that John Charman, its founding president and chief executive, will sell down his holdings in the company for personal reasons.

Sean Dalton and Andrew Elliott, the former managing director and head of underwriting at one of Lloyd’s largest (re)insurers Liberty Syndicates, are planning to form a new syndicate, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Lloyd’s gatekeeper Rolf Tolle has to tread a fine line between allowing fresh start-ups across his threshold and being too restrictive. To ensure vibrancy, the market needs fresh blood but too much can lead to downward rating pressures and excessive compe

Chaucer Insurance Holdings plc is in talks to launch a new Lloyd’s syndicate with the former QBE Limit underwriter, Mark Harrington.

If 2006 was the year of the sidecar, there is every sign that these and other non-traditional reinsurance vehicles will continue to emerge next year.

Start-ups and pre-emptions suggest 2007 expansion