Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
ICA appoints Russell and Troup to its board
The Insurance Council of Australia has appointed David Russell, CEO of RAA Insurance and Helen Troup, managing director, Commonwealth Insurance to its board of directors.
Generali Asia secures option to buy 70% of Malaysia's MPIB
Italian giant Generali has completed the purchase of a 49% stake in Malaysia general insurer Multi-Purpose Insurance to enter its tenth Asian market.
Beazley's Horton hails specialty and US growth
Gross written premiums at Beazley climbed 6% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year.
Anbang's Belgium acquisition given green light
China's Anbang has completed the purchase of Fidea from JC Flowers after approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Zurich blames currency movements for global profits dip
Zurich posted a $174m (£114m based on today's exchange rate) fall in general insurance pre-tax profits to $706m in the first quarter of 2015, a drop of 20%.
Axa's Indian joint venture stake increases approved
The Indian government has approved Axa's application to raise its foreign ownership to 49% from 26% in two insurers for undisclosed sums.
Tune takes controlling stake in Indonesia's ASM
Tune Insurance has bought a 50% and one share stake in Indonesia's PT Asuransi Staco Mandiri for RM22.8m (£4.8m).
Fairfax eyes 35% stake in Vietnam insurer
Toronto-based Fairfax Financial is set to buy a 35% stake in general insurer BIDV Insurance for an undisclosed sum.
CILA reaps benefits of Asia tour with three alliances
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters has formed three important alliances after two of its most senior members visited Asia.
XL Catlin begins 'bold new world' marketing campaign
Following the completed merger of XL and Catlin, the combined entity XL Catlin has launched an "insurance for a bold new world" marketing campaign.
Peak Re makes first underwriting profit but overall profits fall 60%
In 2014 Hong Kong-based reinsurer Peak Re made a technical underwriting profit of $15m (£9.9m) despite its overall profits falling from $102.9m in 2013 to $41.6m last year.
Ace appoints general counsel for Australia and New Zealand
Ace has appointed Gabija Simmonds to the role of general counsel for Australia and New Zealand.
Sydney hailstorm costs rise above A$100m
The hailstorm which hit Sydney on 25 April has seen 19,000 claims and A$125m (£65m) in losses according to the Insurance Council of Australia.
Fosun acquires 100% of Ironshore
Chinese conglomerate Fosun has bought the remaining 80% of shares it did not already own in Bermuda-based Ironshore for a reported $1.8bn (£1.2bn).
Collins appointed executive chairman of Hyperion
Dominic Collins, chairman of RK Harrison, has been appointed executive chairman of Hyperion following the completion of the merger between Hyperion and RK Harrison.
Three charged with insurance fraud in Singapore
Three men have been charged with making dishonest claims in a Singapore court yesterday (29 April).
Nepal's largest reinsurer cites $160m exposure to earthquake
The devastating earthquake in Nepal is expected to cost the largest reinsurer in the country GIC Re no more than $160m (£104m).
QBE targets 30% of Singapore's engineering and construction market
QBE has ambitious plans to grow strongly in engineering and construction in Singapore from 5% of the market to 30% by around 2021.
New South Wales' storms to cost IAG A$300m
Insurance Australia Group is counting the cost of two damaging storms in the same week.
Zhang to exit Markel after Shanghai office opening
Steven Zhang, chief representative of Markel's Beijing office, will be leaving the company after helping establish the Shanghai office.
Philippines' GI profits surged in 2014 from low base
The Philippines' 65 general insurance companies profits in 2014 climbed to 2.4bn pesos (£35.4m) up 192% from 822m pesos of profit in 2013.
Now Health acquires Best Doctors to increase global footprint
Now Health International's private equity investor the Primary Group has acquired Bermuda-based Best Doctors Insurance.
Colahan opens Berkshire's commercial Australian operations
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty is aiming to shake up the large corporate space in Australia after being granted a license to write business.
Brit appoints South America expert from Swiss Re
Guillermo Eslava has left Swiss Re to become vice president, casualty reinsurance for Latin America and the Caribbean at Brit.