Latest Europe Headlines

All the headlines from our Europe Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Calnan Joins Ironshore Europe to Lead International Offshore Energy Expansion

Jan 11 2013 // Bermuda-based Ironshore Europe Ltd. (IEL) announced that Paul Calnan has been named Senior Vice President Global Offshore Energy, responsible for expanding the Global offshore energy business throughout Ironshore...

Best Affirms Amlin AG, Amlin plc, Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001 Ratings; Outlook Stable

Jan 11 2013 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa-” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001, which is...

FERMA Appoints Bedhouche as Full Time European Affairs Adviser

Jan 10 2013 // The Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) has appointed Julien Bedhouche as its first full time European affairs adviser. He is a French national with a masters degree in European law from Rennes...

Multilateralism in Trade is ‘Dead’ Says French Industry Minister

Jan 10 2013 // Multilateral trade deals are “dead”, France’s industry minister said on Tuesday, professing a preference for bilateral accords as the 27-nation European Union and the United States prepare to begin talks...

Events that Topped World Insurance News in 2012

Dec 28 2012 // While 2012 wasn’t as tumultuous as 2011, it had its share of insurance shaking trends and events. Here in roughly chronological order are some of them: 1) The costs of the flooding in Thailand in 2011, wasn’t...

Any Prospects for Insurance Regulatory Changes in 2013?

Dec 26 2012 // Progress in making insurance regulatory changes has been slow, and there’s really nothing to indicate that the situation will change in the near future. The United States, however, has managed to make some relevant...

Ratings Recap: Echelon, Nationale Suisse, MAPFRE Global Risks/Empresas

Dec 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb+” of Echelon General Insurance Company, as well as the ICR of “bb+” of...

Ratings: Aviva (Subs), Flagstone Re Africa, Arig, Salama, Bahrain Nat’l., BEST RE

Dec 20 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of several European insurance subsidiaries of...

Ratings Recap: Jordan Plc, Builders Re S.A., Sava Re, Allianz (Notes)

Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of Jordan Insurance Company Plc (JIC), both with stable...

Best Upgrades W.R. Berkley Insurance (Europe) ICR Rating; Affirms ‘A’ FSR

Dec 17 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Ltd. has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) of UK-based W.R....

Prospects for Insurance Regulation in 2013

Dec 17 2012 // Progress in making insurance regulatory changes has been slow, and there’s nothing to indicate that this situation will change in the future. The United States has, however, made relevant changes. Although it has 50...

Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Rating of Hiscox Group Subsidiaries; Affirms FSR

Dec 14 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a+” from “a” of Hiscox...

London ‘City’ Scents Victory in EU Banking Union Deal

Dec 14 2012 // London’s financial center heaved a sigh of relief on Thursday after a landmark deal on Europe’s incipient banking union removed an immediate threat to ‘the City’s’ global position. The text...

Ratings Recap: Transsib Re, First General, Arab Re, TUCI

Dec 13 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B’ (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb+” of Russia’s OJSC Transsiberian Reinsurance Corporation...

Europe Deepens Union with ECB as Chief Bank Watchdog

Dec 13 2012 // Europe clinched a deal on Thursday to give the European Central Bank new powers to supervise euro zone banks from 2014, embarking on the first step in a new phase of closer integration to help underpin the euro. After more...

Despair after Climate Conference Inaction, but UN Still Offers Hope

Dec 10 2012 // At the end of another lavishly-funded U.N. conference that yielded no progress on curbing greenhouse emissions, many of those most concerned about climate change are close to despair. As thousands of delegates checked out...

Ratings Recap: Grain, Chartis (Europe), Boubyan Takaful

Dec 6 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of Grain Insurance and Guarantee Company, which is domiciled in Manitoba, Canada, and has...

APC Underwriting Agency Expands into Continental Europe with Holland Office

Dec 6 2012 // Commercial insurance underwriting agency, APC, announced that it has begun its expansion drive into Continental Europe by launching APC Holland, based in The Hague. APC said the “independent MGA will provide a range...

Willis International Announces European Leadership Appointments

Dec 4 2012 // Willis Group Holdings has announced a series of senior leadership appointments in its Willis International business unit, “focusing on its UK and wider European operations.” Willis also explained that the new...

FERMA Opposes EU Fund for Industrial Accident Environmental Liabilities, Losses

Dec 3 2012 // The Federation of European Risk Management Associations [FERMA), which represents risk managers in 20 European countries, has told the European Commission that it is opposed to the creation of a fund to cover environmental...