Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Aviva appoints CFO in Asia
Ken Rappold has been appointed as regional chief financial officer of Aviva Asia.
Majority of Chinese firms reduced payment times in 2013
According to trade credit insurer Euler Hermes, seven out of ten Chinese companies increased their turnover in 2013, with six out of ten firms reducing their outstanding payment days.
AIA agrees five year shirt sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur
Hong Kong-based life and health insurer AIA is sponsoring Tottenham Hotspur's shirts in all competitions until the end of the 2018-2019 season from the beginning of the 2014-15 season.
Ace starts construction practice for Asia-Pacific
Ace has created a construction industry practice group in the Asia-Pacific region.
Zurich sees operating profit up 15% and premiums fall 4%
Zurich's global operating profit climbed 15% in 2013 helped by a significant improvement in its general insurance combined operating ratio.
Mayer Brown defends five Lloyd's syndicates from Madoff action
Law firm Mayer Brown has helped defend an action from Swiss financial advisers Genevalor, Benbassat & Cie on behalf of three funds under an insurance policy.
Ace appoints chief underwriting officer in Asia-Pacific
Neil Moon, Ace's head of casualty, Asia-Pacific, has been promoted to chief underwriting officer, Asia-Pacific. Moon will be replaced in his role by Adam Clifford.
Pre-tax profits at Catlin climb 27% in 2013
Catlin's pre-tax profits reached $432m in 2013 - up 27% from $339m the previous year.
Soft market in Asia to hit record, says Marsh
Commercial insurance rates in Asia are expected to reach historic lows this year, according to Marsh's 2014 Asia Insurance Market Report.
Fires destroy 20 homes in Victoria
Victoria, the South-East Australian state, is facing some of the worst wildfire conditions since Black Saturday in 1999.
Total Philippines insurance premiums grew 47% in 2013
The outlook is strong for insurers in the Philippines according to ratings agency Fitch, although the life sector is stronger than general insurance.
Revised Code of Practice introduced by Australia insurance board
The revised code will be launched by the Insurance Council Board on 1 July with everybody requested to be compliant by 1 July next year.
US January insurance storm claims hit $1.4bn
Catastrophe modeller Impact Forecasting said January's weather in the US cost insurers at least $1.4bn and economic losses of $3bn. Asia also saw its fair share of cold weather in January.
Berg to leave Insurance Council of Australia's board
Ian Berg, the outgoing vice-president and operations manager, Australia for FM Global is to leave the board at the Insurance Council of Australia.
Indonesian insurers to shrug off floods, says Fitch
Fitch Ratings has said the January flooding in Singapore is likely to have limited impact on the local insurance market.
Norton Rose Fulbright appoints McDaid as partner in Hong Kong
Law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has announced the appointment of Declan McDaid as a partner in the Hong Kong office. McDaid joined from Hong Kong firm Deacons, where he was a partner in the insurance practice.
SSP won eight clients in Australasia last year
Insurance technology house SSP signed up eight clients in New Zealand and Australia last year and launched its telematics service.
Munich Re's reinsurance division operating profits down 19%
In 2013, according to Munich Re's preliminary results, operating profits at its reinsurance arm reduced from €4.3bn in 2012 to €3.5bn last year (a reduction from €3.1bn to €2.8bn in its consolidated result).
XL recruits from Aon in Sydney for product recall push
XL has appointed Ian Davidson as crisis management underwriter to boost its product recall arm.
Xchanging opens second Singapore office
Insurance technology provider Xchanging has opened a second office in the heart of Singapore's insurance district at Tower 2, Asia Square.
Chinese insurers investing heavily in Australian property
Chinese insurers are set to ramp up investment in Australian commercial property by 30% this year.
Hong Kong culls 20 000 chickens after bird flu discovered
20 000 chickens in Cheung Sha Wan wholesale market in Kowloon, Hong Kong are being killed on 28 January after H7N9 bird flu was discovered.
Indonesian authority sets pricing guidelines for disaster coverage
The Indonesian Financial Services Authority has given insurers minimum and maximum prices for disaster coverage of motor vehicles and property to stop unhealthy competition.
BPL Global appoints ex-JLT director in Hong Kong
Ex-JLT divisional director Margaret Ho has joined political risk broker Berry Palmer and Lyle (BPL Global) as a senior broker at its Hong Kong office.