All Features articles – Page 17
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FeaturesGive me an “A”!
Do all start-up reinsurers just get an “A-” rating by default? In the absence of a proven track record, Ronald Gift Mullins explores how the rating agencies judge the strength of the industry’s newcomers
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Investment Analysis
Investment: Is run-off now sexy?
National Indemnity’s deal with Equitas has breathed life into the run-off industry and roused interest from a whole new generation of investors. Lindsey Rogerson takes stock.
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Features
Passport to success
Will passporting rights and favourable tax rules in some European countries give them the edge when it comes to attracting new business? The Reinsurance Directive is about to become law across Europe, and when it does, the balance of power could shift. Liz Booth reports
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Features
The value of run-off ratings
One of the biggest announcements at this year’s ARC Congress in London came from Standard & Poor’s, which announced it would be offering a ratings service to the run-off industry. But what is the actual value of run-off ratings, asks Helen Yates, and will it be welcomed by the industry?
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Investment AnalysisFollow The Leader Or Strike Out Alone?
The issue isn't whether Bermuda is stealing business from London, it's whether both parties have taken their eye off the ball when it comes to innovative underwriting. Lindsey Rogerson reports.
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FeaturesThe alternatives to poaching
High profile staff defections have highlighted a shortage of top talent, says Mairi Mallon. But some companies believe poaching key employees is not the only way to secure the best individuals.
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CEO Q&ACEO Q&A: James Summers
"All the best brokers have natural passion, in fact any good leader will always demonstrate passion and confidence in what he or she does," says James Summers, chief executive of Cooper Gay & Co.
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Analysis
The Little Company That Does
From minnow to giant, Warren Buffett has turned National Indemnity into a behemoth of the insurance industry, discovers Ronald Gift Mullins.
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Cover Story
Keeping London competitive
With the pressure mounting from rival jurisdictions and constant in-fighting hindering progress, is London's heyday over? Nick Thorpe investigates some of the main challenges facing the market.
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CEO Q&A
Great expectations
When Richard Ward took up the helm as chief executive of Lloyd's on 24 April 2006, expectations were high. The market faced numerous hurdles and all eyes were on Ward to see how he would tackle them. Now a year into the role, Nick Thorpe gets the low-down.
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GR Focus
Risking The Future
With brokers still smarting from the effects of Eliot Spitzer's investigations, rampant diversification plans are underway throughout the industry. Some brokers are even looking to transform themselves into risk consultancies. Nick Thorpe reports.
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FeaturesGR Survey: London And Technology
Can the London market afford an arm's length relationship with technology? In April, GR ran a survey looking at the importance of technology for the future success of the London market.
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GR Focus
Spotting a niche
In the post-Spitzer environment, non-traditional reinsurance has become an important source of revenue for many brokers. Helen Yates looks back on how this business took off in 2006 and how, one year on, the sophistication of the products has grown dramatically.
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Cover Story
China opens for business
The Year of the Pig promises to be a prosperous one for China's insurance and reinsurance industry. As the Middle Kingdom further opens its doors, Helen Yates considers the main challenges for the market and its new entrants.
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Country Analysis
O Canada!
Anyone who has ever met a Canadian citizen knows they don't like to be mistaken for American. The same can be said for the country's insurance and reinsurance sector, which despite its close proximity and ties to the US, maintains its own individual character. Ronald Gift Mullins reports.
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Features
GR Survey: China
With China being the word on everyone's lips at the moment, GR asked the industry about their plans to tap into opportunities in the country. Nick Thorpe presents the results.
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Analysis
Out of its comfort zone
India's national reinsurer, General Insurance Corporation, has enjoyed a virtual monopoly. But with the opening up of the market, and the phasing out of compulsory cessions, the reinsurer is leaving its comfort zone, explains Shirish Nadkarni.
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GR Focus
Solitary Confinement
Protected, or segregated, cell captives began life in the 1990s. Phil Zinkewicz describes the evolution of this popular solution for undesirable risks.
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Features
Is the reserving crisis over?
After years of accusing reinsurers of under-reserving, rating agencies appear to have given the industry the "all clear". Ronald Gift Mullins reports.
