October 2006/1

Market information and analysis firm Advisen Ltd has teamed up with XML messaging specialist Web Connectivity Ltd in a combined offering it says will increase transparency and efficiency in the London market. Under the partnership, Advisen will...

Although premium growth in China has exceeded all expectations in recent years the country’s insurance market is still in its infancy, according to a report by the reinsurance broker Benfield Group. Benfield said that total premiums increased strongly...

Despite improvements in underwriting, an increased tax burden and lower investment results meant the US property & casualty insurance industry saw its net income after tax fall almost ten percent in the first half of 2006. According to figures from ISO..

Lloyd’s announced last week (27 September) half year pre-tax profits of £1.35bn – marginally down on the £1.38bn booked at the same stage last year – as strong underwriting results in benign conditions were offset by a fall in investment income.

Chaucer Syndicates Ltd has become the latest Lloyd’s insurer to unveil plans to build a Singapore platform. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange last week, Chaucer said it will appoint energy underwriter Chris Wildee as chief executive of the...

With last week’s move by UK insurer Royal & Sun Alliance Group plc (R&SA) to clear the decks on its US legacy issues, speculation has begun to mount that the move may pave the way for renewed interest from potential bidders for the company...

Aon Re Global appears to have pulled off a coup with the hiring of Elliot Richardson, currently head of facultative reinsurance at rival Benfield Group, to run its global Fac operation. According to market sources, Richardson may be joined by up to forty

The prospect of mandatory disclosure of broker commissions in the UK took a step closer today (2 October) following a speech by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) chief executive John Tiner. The head of the UK’s regulatory authority said it was...

The sale of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd has focused attention on the future ownership of Lloyd’s insurer Creechurch Underwriting Ltd, which is also controlled by industry entrepreneur David Gundlach. Last week, the Insurance Australia Group (IAG)...

Lloyd’s has announced plans to overhaul its annual venture in a bid to tackle complaints that its current structure adds costs and restricts management flexibility. In an announcement today (2 October), the Society has come up with two proposals...