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Brokers give Ageas seal of approval on Groupama acquisition talks
Brokers have hailed Ageas' potential move to acquire Groupama UK as a "logical fit", but warned that the insurer's troubled past may do little to win back lost brokers.
Ageas and Groupama in acquisition talks
Ageas UK and Groupama have entered exclusive discussions regarding the sale of Groupama's UK non-life insurance business.
Asian weddings: An insurance dilemma
Wedding insurance is growing in India as families spend a collective $16bn on marriage celebrations. However, as Nicky Burridge reports, the chances of its spreading further into Asia look unlikely.
Monte Carlo preview: The calm after the storm
With 2011 rocked by political uprisings and catastrophes, delegates at the Monte Carlo Rendez-vous had much to discuss. However, a year later, with the market beginning to settle, what will be on the agenda?
Aviva director quits for Towergate
Aviva's shared services director, Alison Wilford, is to leave the insurer to join Towergate.
Communities Minister replaces Hoban as Treasury Secretary
Greg Clark, pictured, former Minister of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, has replaced Mark Hoban as Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
Merlin liability head joins Williams Pitt
Merlin's head of UK liability, Chris Lewis, is to join loss adjuster Williams Pitt on Monday.
Chartis enters sole tied agent agreement with HNW broker
Chartis Private Client Group has entered into an exclusive arrangement with broker Markham Private Clients, which will become its sole tied agent.
Tesco Bank snaps up Zurich's Bedlow
Zurich's former personal lines managing director, Karl Bedlow, pictured, is to join Tesco Bank.
Chris Hanks to retire from Allianz
Allianz Commercial general manager Chris Hanks, pictured, is said to be retiring in 2013.
FSA to investigate Lloyds Bank over PPI mis-selling
The Financial Services Authority has launched an investigation into the Lloyds Banking Group over payment protection mis-selling.
Monte Carlo preview: The calm after the storm
With 2011 rocked by political uprisings and catastrophes, delegates at the Monte Carlo Rendez-vous had much to discuss. However, a year later, with the market beginning to settle, what will be on the agenda?
Claims Club 10th anniversary: A decade of debate
The Post Claims Club will mark its 10th anniversary next year, and the group's advisory board looks back on a decade of change.
Houghton departs Broker Network after 17% drop in operating earnings
Nick Houghton has joined West Yorkshire-based broker JM Glendinning after resigning as managing director of Broker Network and Countrywide.
Adjusters grow unattractive to private equity houses
Private equity houses are growing increasingly cautious about investing in loss adjusters, and one firm has already written down its investment in the market by millions, Post can reveal.
Insurers duck Admiral warning on 'killer' referral fees
Insurers have reiterated their support for the scrapping of referral fees, following remarks made by Admiral chief executive Henry Engelhardt that the incoming ban will be a "killer" for his competitors.
Direct Line Group posts 7% profit increase in first results as standalone
As the deadline for Direct Line Group's anticipated flotation approaches, the insurance business posted a 7% jump in operating profit to £224.2m for the first six months of the year and revealed it has set a target of 15% return on tangible equity.
Foil backs ABI's stance on 'illogical' damages rise
The Court of Appeal's decision to effectively bring forward a 10% rise in damages from April has been branded "illogical" by the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, echoing concerns already raised by the Association of British Insurers.
Aviva urges government action on whiplash after Westminster meeting
Aviva claims director Dominic Clayden has called for the government to increase the small claims limit on whiplash cases to £5 000 just hours after attending a meeting with industry bosses and the Transport Select Committee.
Esure profit up despite £8m flood loss
Esure has reported £60.2m in operating profit in the six months ended 30 June 2012 (H1 2011: £41.3m) and improvements to its loss ratio and combined operating ratio, despite the June floods adding £8m losses and 3.4% to the COR.
Editor's comment: Rebuilding and reshuffling
Only last week, Zurich's personal lines chief Karl Bedlow was telling Post readers that agility is the difference between a gold medal and last place in his 'View from the top' column.
Interview: Carl Beardmore - from vision to fruition
BMS chief executive Carl Beardmore believes he is on track in transforming a broker that was 'flat lining' into a company generating more than £100m a year.
Industry to feel effects of Cabinet reshuffle after Treasury chief exit
The departure of Mark Hoban from his Treasury post as finance secretary will affect the progress of all areas of insurance-related issues, according to industry insiders.
Post magazine - 6 September 2012
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