Ireland
Axa points to referral fees to explain continued rise in costs
Axa UK has reported an improved combined ratio for the first half of 2011 but is still at a break even point of 100% while the total UK and Ireland property and casualty revenues came in at £2bn.
RSA's chief executive to leave the company
RSA’s group chief executive, Andy Haste, is to leave the company by the end of the year.
Quinn issues mass refund after overcharging customers
Quinn has had to refund 20,500 customers after it failed to give them an agreed discount.
Sean Quinn returns with offshore insurance vehicle
Reports in the Irish press claim that Sean Quinn has acquired a Malta-based insurance licence.
Chubb fills Mitsui Sumitomo shaped hole
Patrick Mettler has been appointed to the role of country and business development manager for Ireland at Chubb.
Sean Quinn to play starring role in family's High Court drama
Failed insurance tycoon Sean Quinn is set to be included as a defendant in a major High Court battle between his family and Anglo Irish Bank, according to the Irish Independent.
Quinn to continue writing UK business until 2012
Quinn Insurance will continue issuing new UK policies until the end of 2012, despite its new owners only buying its Irish operations, according to reports.
Quinn family to take Anglo Irish Bank to court
Sean Quinn’s family has lodged an Irish High Court action seeking damages against Anglo Irish Bank over alleged negligence, breach of duty and intentional and/or negligent infliction of economic damage.
Mitsui Sumitomo confirms Chubb raid as it moves into Ireland
Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has confirmed that it is to establish branches in Dublin and Belfast as part of its expansion plans.
Joint venture purchase of Quinn results in 30 UK redundancies
A joint venture of Liberty Mutual and Anglo Irish Bank has been announced as the preferred bidder for the general insurance business of Quinn Insurance.
Sean Genden appointed CEO of Travelers Europe
Travelers has named Sean Genden as chief executive officer for Travelers Europe. The provider said his appointment was designed to support its strategic and growth initiatives in the European property and casualty market.
Norgrove confirmed as Zurich's GI CEO in Ireland
Zurich Insurance has confirmed the appointment of Ken Norgrove as chief executive officer of its general insurance (GI) business in Ireland.
Regulation costs three times more in UK than rest of EU
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (Biba) has made the first real attempt since regulation was first applied to general insurance brokers to quantify just what it costs for brokers to remain compliant.
Products/schemes: Dual unveils standalone POSI
Specialist underwriting agency Dual Corporate Risks has launched a standalone product for public offering of securities insurance.
Market moves: Recruitment drive shows positive outlook
The actions of the insurance industry seem to indicate it is refreshingly optimistic about the prospects for UK plc. Despite the phrase 'double-dip' re-entering the popular consciousness, insurance has stormed ahead with determination to grow its way to…
Mayer tasked with EMEA focus in London return
Igal Mayer has returned to London as Aviva's chief executive of Europe, Middle East and Africa. The move from CEO of the North American division comes a year after the implementation of the restructure, which saw Mark Hodges appointed to lead UK…
Norgrove makes swift exit from Travelers Ireland
Less than five months after joining from RSA, Travelers Ireland vice president, Ken Norgrove, has resigned to take up a senior post within Zurich's Irish operation, Insurance Age understands.
Director's and Officer's: A D&O deluge
Emmanuel Kenning takes an overview of the D&O sector and asks where the market will go next after a host of developments in 2010.
Zurich and joint Anglo-Liberty bid leading race for Quinn
Reports in the Irish press have indicated that there are two front runners in the bidding process for Quinn Insurance. The differing articles named Zurich and a joint Anglo Irish Bank and Liberty Mutual bid as leading the way. Previously, Travelers and…
News review: December
A brief round-up of December's news.
Reportage - CII training: The value of training
The CII has an enviable reputation for promoting professionalism in the industry, however there is a sentiment in some parts of the market that it is more concerned with making money. Louise Phillips weighs up the true value of its training structure.
2010 review: A year of living cautiously
The economy grew, rival political parties unexpectedly started working together and personal lines rates even hardened, although plenty of surprises and setbacks meant that 2010 was far from plain sailing, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
News Analysis - Ireland bailout: Ireland on the brink as UK exposures rocket
The bond markets continued to punish Ireland as fears of contagion spread in the Eurozone, writes Andrew Tjaardstra.
General strike called in Portugal today, as euro debt fears grow
The majority of medium-haul flights to be cancelled in Portugal tomorrow