Articles by Harry Curtis
Axa buys renewal rights to Ageas UK's commercial lines business
Axa has acquired the renewal rights to Ageas UK’s commercial lines business for an initial consideration of £47.5m.
High Court rules Marshmallow breached Toba and misused Mulsanne's confidential information
Marshmallow breached its obligations under a terms of business agreement with Mulsanne and misused Mulsanne’s confidential information in preparation to launch its own insurance company in January 2021, the High Court has ruled.
Four-day work week a 'natural step' for motor broker Igo4
Car insurance broker Igo4 has adopted a four-day working week, saying that it made the change out of a strong preference on the part of staff for flexible working that has been emphasised during the pandemic.
Beazley cautious on property business as it works to 'get arms around' climate change
Beazley has said that it will not seek to increase exposure in its property book in the immediate term, as it takes measures to enhance its ability to assess and price for the effects of climate change.
Floodflash to establish US presence following $15m venture capital raise
Floodflash has raised $15m (£11.1m) in a Series A funding round, which it intends to use to fuel its international expansion.
PIB fine-tunes management structure as it sets sights on rapid Europe expansion
PIB Group has made a number of changes to its management structure in anticipation of accelerated growth during the course of 2022.
FCA bolsters authorisations teams in effort to speed up approval process
The Financial Conduct Authority has added 95 staff in an effort to speed up its authorisations process against a backdrop of possible strike action.
Aubert appointed CEO of Howden France
Howden has appointed Nicolas Aubert as CEO of its operations in France as the broker continues to expand its European platform.
By Miles unveils raft of senior appointments
Pay-per-mile car insurtech By Miles has unveiled a number of senior appointments as it looks to expand its product offering and accelerate growth in 2022.
Intelligence: Is it boom time for special purpose acquisition companies in the UK?
Although the mania for special purpose acquisition companies of early 2021 has subsided, investor enthusiasm persists and is in the process of going global. The losses directors’ and officers’ insurers can expect to flow from these types of companies…
Three BI cases collectively seeking up to £960m to be heard back-to-back by court
The Commercial Court is set to hear three cases relating to Covid-19 business interruption claims made under the Marsh Resilience wording back-to-back over five weeks in June and July.
Lloyd's to see Blueprint Two drive a 'fundamental difference' by 2024: Neal
Lloyd’s has set its sights on the second quarter of 2024 as the date at which the market will fully adopt a raft of digital solutions it is building to move away from paper-based trading and cut costs.
Judge to hand down Corbin & King v Axa BI decision 'as quickly as possible' as trial ends
The trial in the case of Corbin & King v Axa, the outcome of which is eagerly anticipated by insurers and would-be business interruption claimants alike, came to a close on Wednesday.
Axa and Corbin & King trade arguments on first day of BI cover trial
The trial between upmarket restaurant group Corbin & King and Axa began on Tuesday, with Mrs Justice Cockerill hearing submissions from both sides.
Analysis: Covid BI disputes rage on a year after Supreme Court judgment
The final bill for coronavirus-related business interruption claims could yet run much higher than the £1.3bn paid out so far depending on how issues left unanswered are resolved in the months – and possibly years – ahead.
Insurers ask loss adjusters for furlough deduction data as potential litigation looms
Loss adjusters have been asked by insurers to quantify furlough payment-related savings on Covid-19 business interruption claims.
RSA and QIC face BI group action from hospitality businesses
Law firm Edwin Coe has launched an action group to start proceedings against RSA and Qatar Insurance Company Europe, arguing that businesses are entitled to payouts for lockdowns in 2020 beyond the initial March restrictions.
Lloyd's-IUA-DXC deal staves off headaches for London market participants
A deal struck between Lloyd’s, the International Underwriting Association and DXC Technology to deliver a processing platform averted a technological split that may have made the London market a less attractive destination for business, IUA chief…
Thingco boss Brockman questions insurers' pricing rules preparations after hitting pause on capital raise
Thingco CEO Mike Brockman has questioned insurers’ preparedness for pricing rules that took effect at the start of the year, after the telematics insurtech hit pause on a capital raise amid uncertainty generated by the regulations.
Chubb appoints Pannala as global CIO
Chubb has appointed Shekar Pannala, previously executive vice president for global technology, as its global chief information officer.
Zurich risk chief warns refusing sectors cover is not the answer to net-zero transition
Insurers should resist removing cover for sectors that face being made obsolete by a move to a net-zero economy despite deteriorating risks profiles, Zurich’s group chief risk officer Peter Giger has said.
Bifurcated 1.1 renewal market negotiations leaves strained relationships, reinsurance brokers warn
Challenging negotiations between reinsurers and buyers during the busy 1.1 renewal season may have strained relationships with some clients, brokers have warned.
Brit appoints Bilge Mert as chief technology officer
Brit has appointed Bilge Mert, formerly senior director of Swiss Re's insurtech Iptiq, as chief technology officer.
Interview: Stephen Catlin, Convex
Harry Curtis spoke to Stephen Catlin, CEO and chairman of Convex, about how the insurer is looking forward, why cyber risks are a step too far and his response to climate critics