November 2014/3

Absolute return bond funds are currently being marketed to the industry's chief investment officers. But what are they and how can P&C (re)insurers ensure they choose the correct ones? The Insurance Insider investigates...

Kelvin Re has become the latest start-up to join the roster of hedge fund reinsurers after securing an A- rating from AM Best last week, although it is taking a markedly different approach to its peers.

Arch Re CEO Marc Grandisson has questioned whether the reinsurance market will see a significant shift away from its current "buy and hold" model while also warning that acting more as a warehouse and distributor of risk could lead to "problems down the road".

Catlin COO Paul Jardine has said that the (re)insurance industry will need its current surplus capital when emerging economies such as China mature and require more catastrophe cover.

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is set to close its latest catastrophe bond at $400mn, $50mn above its initial target, sister publication Trading Risk reported last week. Normal 0

Lloyd's insurer Canopius continued its recent recruitment drive last week with the hire of Delta Lloyd's offshore wind insurance underwriting team, led by Maarten Mulder.

Asia Capital Re (ACR) has hired Brit hull underwriter Simon Stonehouse to head up its marine team, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

Three hires in Asia have demonstrated a trend of poacher turned gamekeeper, as carriers in the region turn to brokers.

Private equity firm Aquiline has acquired a majority stake in reinsurance intermediary Beach & Associates, in a move first revealed by The Insurance Insider back in August.

Lloyd's broker and coverholder EPG Insurance Services has launched a Lloyd's broking arm, Shepherd Compello.

Hyperion subsidiary Howden Broking Group revealed last week that it had acquired Harmonia Corretora de Seguros, a broker headquartered in São Paolo, from US intermediary Hub International.

Insurers are missing out on a potential growth opportunity by failing their small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).