Corporate
For the record: The week in deals featuring Aston Lark, GRP, PIB, Marsh, MS Amlin, Nexus, Partners& and Sedgwick
Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week
Blog: Conversations on racial equality
Karyn Strickland, Covéa Insurance head of HR and reward, gives her take on the value of conversations about racial equality at work.
DLG issues inaugural environment progress reports and 2021 targets
Direct Line Group has become a carbon neutral company and is targeting a net carbon neutral investment portfolio by 2050, the insurer detailed in a pair of documents released at the end of 2020.
Blog: Analytics has a critical role to play in major and complex loss
It is not just low-value claims that can benefit from technology – data analytics has an important role to play in major and complex loss, argues Neil Baldwin, McLarens executive director.
Swiss Re urges insurance sector to watch out for stagflation scenario
There is a 10% risk of a stagflation scenario which would knock more than 2% off insurance premium growth in Europe next year, according to analysis by Swiss Re.
FCA issues client money order as it closes Midlands broker
The Financial Conduct Authority has shut down Inspire Insurance Services and ordered the broker to ringfence relevant funds in a string of sweeping instructions.
Brokers and MGAs warned to remove staff who are not 'fit and proper' for SMCR rules
The Financial Conduct Authority has cautioned brokers and managing general agents not to assume someone is “fit and proper” for roles under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime, with the expectation being that “some” staff will not meet standards.
Analysis: Lockdown legionella threat a public health and liability concern
Specialists across the insurance industry have voiced their concerns about the potential for a build-up of legionella bacteria in buildings left empty over lockdown.
Industry urged to be clear on insurable cyber events or risk its reputation
It is “essential” the industry is clear about what cyber risks it is comfortable in covering and not covering to protect the industry's reputation, the Geneva Association's cyber director has urged.
Employee mental health at top of insurer agendas, conference hears
The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed mental health to the top of insurer agendas as many employees continue to work from home, HDI Global director of distribution Stephanie Odgen has said.
‘Do not destroy your product,’ Ferma board member warns insurers
A Ferma board member has warned insurers not to “destroy” their product after outlining how relationships with underwriters had been strained in recent months amid quickening market hardening.
Analysis: More than bricks and mortar
How are major financial centres in the UK likely to be impacted by Covid-19 and will the remote working phenomenon hit office occupancy for the longer term?
Insurers commit to Race at Work Charter
The Association of British Insurers and 32 of its members have signed up to Race at Work Charter, as part of an industry-wide commitment to improve opportunities for Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues.
HG to own 20% of Hyperion as investment boosts ‘war chest’ to $1.5bn
When the transaction for HG to invest in Hyperion closes the private equity firm will hold “just over 20%” of the business, CEO David Howden told Post.
Analysis: Hastings sale - a welcome and a warning
The bid to take motor insurer Hastings back into private hands is a positive move for the company and a stamp of approval for the sector, say market specialists – but, after years of growth, challenges lie ahead
Blog: Covid-19 is no Black Swan
Rather than focusing on hindsight and a fatalistic approach to risk, pursuing a more forward-looking, proactive strategy will improve resilience when, not if, the next crisis strikes, writes Hélène Galy, director of the Willis Research Network.
Analysis: Ethnicity pay gap reporting - getting the ball rolling
With growing pressure on the government to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay reporting to measure inequality in the workplace, Post investigates what steps the industry is taking to prepare and what is still to do.
Future Focus 2030: The future of property podcast - how IoT sensors, automation and granular data will shape the next decade
It is the year 2030. The explosion of internet of things devices has really taken hold impacting both the personal and commercial property markets.
Briefing: Aviva on the money on executive pay
Aviva’s advice on executive pay and corporate governance and responsibility is bang on the money.
Briefing: Pat Gallagher’s anti-racism pledge – Simon Matson, Vyvienne Wade and the elephant in the room
It's a positive step that the industry says it is taking a stand against racism and discrimination, but one pledge, in particular, feels somewhat hollow given recent events.
US loss adjuster partners with Williams Pitt and Delta for UK and Ireland launch
US loss adjusting group Global Risk Solutions has formally launched in the UK and Ireland with two strategic partnerships - Delta Claims Solutions and Williams Pitt.
Global recession 'like a car crash without an airbag', says Swiss Re
The global recession triggered by Covid-19 is “like a crash without an airbag” according to Jérôme Jean Haegeli, group chief economist at Swiss Re.
Insurers and their associations slammed as 'missing in action' in face of climate risk
Exclusive: Despite some support of recovery plans for Covid-19 leading to a resilient, net-zero and inclusive economy, the sector has been criticised for a weak response to a coalition of non-governmental organisations' calls to support green and fair…
Analysis: The parametrics push powers on
Parametrics has been around for a while but a slew of new entrants means it is now poised to make its mark on UK general insurance