Reinsurance
Blog: Whither next or wither next for Pool Re?
Post senior reporter Emmanuel Kenning asks if Pool Re is facing an existential crisis after the Office for National Statistics’ judgement that the mutual reinsurer should become part of the government.
Analysis: Closing the natural catastrophe protection gap
Though losses from natural catastrophes fell in 2019, the proportion of losses that were uninsured rose to a three-year high. Post investigates why.
Pool Re development a 'massive change': Biba
Graeme Trudgill, executive director at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, has pledged to support Pool Re during consultations about the future of the mutual reinsurer.
ABI flags 'potentially serious implications' as Pool Re classified part of government
The Office for National Statistics has judged that Pool Re should be classified as part of the central government subsector in a surprise move that has raised questions about the future of the mutual reinsurer.
Michael van der Straaten appointed QIC Global CEO
Qatar Re CEO Michael van der Straaten has been appointed CEO of QIC Global.
FSCS declares CBL Insurance Europe in default
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme is now stepping in to protect the majority of policies sold in the UK to individuals and small businesses by CBL Insurance Europe having declared the insurer to be in default.
Blog: Meatballs, Billy Book cases and Hemsaker: Can Ikea make flat pack household insurance a success?
As Ikea teams up with Swiss Re to enter the household insurance market, content director Jonathan Swift reflects on how the Swedish furniture giant could disrupt the sector with its own brand of flat pack cover.
Gunter replaces Hendrick as Axa XL CEO
Scott Gunter has been appointed as CEO of Axa XL joining from Chubb to replace Greg Hendrick who is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
Government delay to claims portal expected within days
Industry experts have predicted that the government is ready to delay the upcoming launch of the claims portal with an announcement expected “very soon”.
Bollington still offering all lines after Gefion suspension, Patterson confirms
Bollington’s decision to stop trading with unrated Danish insurer Gefion has not changed the firm’s insurance footprint, group managing director Chris Patterson told Post.
UK commercial insurance pricing leaps 14% in Q4
Composite insurance pricing in the UK rose by 13.7% in the fourth quarter of last year according to research by Marsh.
Pen Underwriting’s Tom Downey on the market-hardening challenges and opportunities for MGAs
What a difference five years makes. Back in early 2015, we had a nation blissfully ignorant of the division, disruption and economic uncertainty that would follow the 2016 referendum result, writes Tom Downey, chief underwriting officer at Pen…
Q&A: Gary Humphreys, Markerstudy
Markerstudy’s group underwriting director, Gary Humphreys, discusses taking a pause on commercial business, progress on the Co-op Insurance buy, debt, making further acquisitions and the rated versus unrated debate as well as backing MGAs and the future…
Markerstudy not 'exercised' by May debt deadline
Markerstudy is in discussions with Qatar Re over the repayment of its $316m (£244m) loan ahead of the next deadline of May this year, group underwriting director Gary Humphreys told Post.
Gallagher and hotel group reach agreement over alleged Heath Lambert 'secret profits'
Gallagher and Bloody Bay, which is locked in a legal battle with Besso, have reached an out of court agreement over alleged “secret profits” taken by a former Heath Lambert and later Besso employee, Post has learned.
This Month: Looking forwards, listening back
Post’s new Motor Mouth Podcast series is proving quite the hit with listeners.
PE driving market consolidation but private ownership still dominates
Exclusive: Private equity houses and PE backed firms were behind more than 50% of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions activity last year in the £5m plus category, Imas Corporate Finance has calculated.
Editor's comment: The lesser-spotted hard market
The world has long held a fascination with mythical beasts and the younger generation is picking up the passion with Smallfoot, Abominable and Missing Link the latest in a long line of films to encourage children to believe in the magic of the Yeti or…
Analysis: Reinsurance hikes add to motor pricing pressure
The UK motor market had the unwanted title of the biggest riser in the annual global reinsurance renewal season this January, adding another reason for intense scrutiny on insurance pricing in the loss-making sector
M&A volume grows in 2019 but mid-sized targets scarce
Exclusive: The number of UK insurance distribution mergers and acquisitions rose from 82 in 2018 to 93 last year, driven by a surge in deals valued under £5m, industry specialists Imas Corporate Finance has revealed.
‘Business as usual’ for sector during Brexit implementation period
The Financial Conduct Authority confirmed that during the Brexit implementation period European Union law will continue to apply and firms will continue to benefit from passporting between the UK and European Economic Area.
Gallagher posts 5.6% group broking and risk management organic growth in 2019
Gallagher delivered revenue and margin growth across all four UK trading units of retail broking, specialty broking, Pen Underwriting and Capsicum Re last year, Simon Matson has stated.
Alleged FCA data for sale on online forum
The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a warning after what appears to be data held by the regulator appeared for sale on a website.
Chaucer appoints CRO from within
James Wright will become Chaucer’s chief risk officer from April.