Articles by Martin Friel
Fitch: Insurers can absorb Greek debt swap
European insurers will not be adversely affected by the recent Greek debt swap as they have already written down their holdings according to Fitch Ratings.
Ratings agencies accept no blame for financial losses
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) head of financial services ratings has told the Treasury Select Committee (TSC) that people shouldn’t rely on their ratings when making financial decisions.
Aviva's McMillan hails personal lines performance as commercial COR hits 105%
David McMillan, CEO of Aviva UK’s general insurance operation, has revealed that, despite a positive set of 2011 results, commercial lines continues to drag at the overall performance.
New commercial director appointed at Chartis
Chartis has appointed a new director for its UK commercial lines operation.
Industry bosses accused of not caring for staff
The British Heart Foundation has published a damning report on the level of importance the insurance industry places on employee health.
Axa Commercial bolsters Bristol team
Axa Commercial Lines has appointed a sales manager for its newly-opened Bristol office.
Aviva UK business grows but profits dip
Aviva UK’s general insurance business delivered higher growth but lower profits in 2011 as it managed to pin its combined operating ratio to 2010 levels.
Quinn purchaser sees net income slump
Liberty Mutual Holding has reported a 78.2% fall in net income to $365m (£232m) in 2011 from $1.68bn the previous year.
Job opportunities fall but pay rises in general insurance
Job opportunities across sectors rose more sharply in February than in January but fell in insurance, according to the latest Reed Job Index.
Labour would force insurers to offer telematics
Insurers could be forced to offer telematics to potential clients under a new proposal from Shadow transport minister, John Woodcock.
Admiral delivers "disappointing" results despite hike in profits
Admiral has delivered a 13% increase in profits to £299m in 2011, a result its chief executive described as disappointing.
Video: What the Papers Say latest edition
This month, Martin Friel is joined by Kelly-Ann Knight, head of external communications at Towergate and Emmanuel Kenning, features editor at Insurance Age.
FSA issues PPI redress guidance
The regulator has published proposed guidance for firms contacting customers who they may have mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) to but have not yet complained.
Ecclesiastical loses broker director as part of restructure
Ecclesiastical has parted company with Ian Wainwright, broker sales director, as part of a managerial restructure.
QBE snares RSA's SME boss for senior role
QBE has turned to two of its largest rivals to secure a brace of senior hires.
Axa Commercial takes new approach to schemes business
Axa Commercial Lines is to implement a new approach to its schemes business which it believes will allow brokers and insurers greater control of schemes.
New 'professional combined' product hits the market
Acturis has introduced an auto-rated professional combined product combining professional indemnity, directors’ and officers’ (D&O) and office and liability cover to the open market.
Ellis Clowes hires two to boost PI and D&O offering
Lloyd’s broker, Ellis Clowes, has bolstered its professional indemnity (PI) and directors’ and officers’ (D&O) offering with two new hires.
Aviva to attack corporate risk market with regional underwriting
Aviva will attempt to snatch a 20% share of the corporate risks market by increasing underwriting authority at a regional level.
Editor’s letter - March 2012
“Read between the lines and you will detect some belief that the worst of the bad times may be over”
Underwriters' role will have diminished by 2022 according to report
The overwhelming majority of SME business (80%) will be traded automatically or direct in ten years’ time and there will be less emphasis on underwriters’ experience and judgment according to a report from the Chartered Insurance Institute’s (CII).
Cobra Network bags seven new members
Cobra Network has signed seven new members so far this year and has three others in the pipeline.
Axa makes further addition to regional network
Axa Commercial is set to open its 11th regional trading office with the establishment of a new branch in Maidstone.
JLT delivers good revenue and profit growth for 2011
Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has followed the trend of positive financial results in the insurance market with a 13% hike in profits before tax to £147.6m for 2011.