Penny black's insurance week

Stephen Lewis, who was appointed chief executive of Zurich UK general insurance last August, said that coming back to the UK after an eight-year hiatus was very much a business decision. While Mr Lewis insists he is happy to be back, his family might not be so sure, having been looking forward to a few more years in clean and efficient Switzerland, where he was based in his previous role. When asked if he was motivated by a pining for the UK, Mr Lewis replied: "Not at all, in fact, having lived out of the UK for eight years, seven-and-a-half spent renting, I actually bought a house in Switzerland in April." Not to worry, he adds: "I wasn't looking to come back specifically to the UK — not that I don't like it — but it was a great opportunity."

Penny had to stifle her giggles at last week's official unveiling of Lord Justice Jackson's Review of Civil Litigation Costs. While the report is probably the most comprehensive legal review since the Woolf reforms, by no means could the 557-page document be considered a page turner. However, one lawyer, who may have been awe-struck by meeting Lord Justice Jackson in the flesh, found the whole affair more thrilling than extreme sports. "This is the most exciting event I have ever been to", Penny overheard the keen solicitor proclaim and considered herself lucky not to have been at his most boring.

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