South America
JLT increases revenue by 7% and unveils new transformation programme
JLT increased revenue to £880.1m in 2012 with 7% coming from organic growth and 1% through acquisitions. This was offset by 1% foreign exchange movements compared to 2011.
QBE European premium up 6% to £3.2bn
QBE has reported an 8% rise in net profit after tax to US$761m (2011: $704m) in 2012, while insurance profit was up 16% to $1.26bn (2011: $1.08bn) supported by a strong investment result.
Steady growth at Marsh and Guy Carpenter
Marsh and Guy Carpenter have both seen revenues increase for the year ending 31 December.
Mapfre reports 2012 revenues up 7.5%
Spanish insurer and reinsurer Mapfre has reported an increase of revenues for the year ended 31 December 2012, attributing the growth to its Brazilian and USA businesses.
Dual partners with Everest Re on international D&O programme
In partnership with Everest Reinsurance Company, Dual Specialty Underwriters has launched an international directors’ and officers’ programme aimed at foreign companies listed on US securities markets through American Depository Receipts.
Venezuelan economic crisis could increase expropriations
The chances of nationalisation of major private assets in Venezuela are increasing as an economic crisis in the country looms according to risk analysts.
Willis restructures Europe operation
Willis is dividing its continental Europe operation into two regions: Western and Central & Eastern Europe.
Generali to sell assets to grow insurance business
Italian insurer Generali is to sell non-strategic assets next year to generate cash to invest in emerging markets.
DAC Beachcroft opens office in Chile
International law firm DAC Beachcroft has collaborated with Chilean firms Seguros Lex and Amunategui y Cia to create DAC Beachcroft Chile from today.
UIB hires new staff ahead of special risks unit launch
Independent international reinsurance broker UIB has launched a special risks division in response to customer demand.
BrokersLink adds 13 new members
BrokersLink today announced the addition of 13 new members at its fourth annual conference in Madrid.
'Confident' JLT eyes international employee benefits expansion
Jardine Lloyd Thompson is "well positioned to deliver sustainable growth" and will continue with plans to develop its employee benefits business in 2012, according to the broker's interim management statement.
R K Harrison agrees partnership with Chile's biggest independent broker
R K Harrison Insurance Brokers and Chile's largest independent broker, Conosur Corredores de Seguros Y Reaseguros, have reached an exclusive agreement to cooperate on all new business emanating from the South American country.
Charles Taylor adjuster joins Axis in Mexico
Axis International Loss Adjusters and Surveyors has continued to expand its ex-pat team in Mexico by appointing Dax Stuart-Cox, pictured, as senior insurance and reinsurance loss adjuster.
Poor data quality and modelling tools make emerging markets risky
Reinsurers pursuing growth in emerging markets must be alert to the unique challenges these countries present, Guy Carpenter has warned.
Aspen recruits five MDs in management restructure
Aspen Re has appointed five new regional managing directors and three global product leaders as part of a management reshuffle.
Dual to rebrand Americas business
HSU and VKU are to come under the Dual brand from 1 October to better reflect the size of its international operations.
Venezuelan oil refinery blast kills 48 people
An oil refinery in Venezuela went up in flames after three tanks exploded on Saturday morning.
Lockton hires Mike Tyler to head new UK employee benefits division
Lockton has unveiled plans to enter the UK employee benefits market with a series of new products and services, by 1 January 2013.
Aon Benfield director appointed CEO of Willis' Chilean operation
Global broker Willis has appointed Alejandro Vaccaro as chief executive of the company's Chilean facultative reinsurance division.
Mapfre to create 150 jobs in Mexico in new Mapfre Tower
Mapfre chairman Antonio Huertas unveiled growth plans for Mexico in a visit to the country yesterday.
ICMIF supports new 'sustainable insurance' initiative
A global initiative to encourage sustainable insurance practices, overseen by the United Nations Environment Programme, was launched in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday with the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation confirmed as a founding…
Insurers starting to embrace change but still a way to go, says PwC
PwC's global insurance leader outlined what successful insurers of the future could look like, and discussed the forces re-shaping the insurance sector, when he spoke at the 2012 International Insurance Society Seminar in Rio de Janeiro today.
Mapfre to provide assistance services for Dominicana Compañía de Seguros
Mapfre Asistencia's Dominican Republic-based subsidiary will offer an assistance scheme for motor insurance cover to customers of general insurance firm Dominicana Compañía de Seguros.