Saatchi & Saatchi appoints new chief executive July 1, 2020 London advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi has appointed Sam Hawkey as its new chief executive, as the firm’s headquarters prepare to reopen after months of lockdown. Hawkey has served as Saatchi & Saatchi’s chief operating officer since 2018, after being promoted from managing director several years earlier. Since joining the firm in 2012, Hawkey’s clients [...]
Small businesses could fail to pay back coronavirus loans, BoE governor warned June 7, 2020 The Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has been warned that £36bn of emergency coronavirus loans to small businesses risk turning toxic. A report by industry body TheCityUK’s Recapitalisation Group that will be published tomorrow warns of “unsustainable” debts which could impede recovery. The report, chaired by Aviva chairman Sir Adrian Montague and supported by [...]
Aviva estimates covid-19 impact at £160m May 21, 2020 Insurer Aviva today estimated the total payout it will have to make because of covid-19 at £160m net of reinsurance. Aviva said the estimate was based on estimated claims in business interruption insurance, other commercial lines and travel insurance. The insurer said the coronavirus pandemic “provides unprecedented uncertainty” and “may adversely impact our results”. Aviva [...]
Insurance brokers slammed for conflicts of interests amid coronavirus business interruption claim disputes May 20, 2020 Insurance brokers have been attacked for “scandalous” conflicts of interests in a report published today. Insurance brokers are appointed by clients to arrange coverage with insurance underwriters for which the client pays them a fee. However, the report from insurance policyholder advisers Mactavish estimated that up to 80 per cent of broker revenue comes directly [...]
Hiscox launches share placing and predicts business interruption insurance hit of £10m to £250m May 5, 2020 Lloyd’s insurer Hiscox launched an equity placing of 20 per cent of its share capital and said its business interruption insurance exposure could range from £10m to £250m today. Based on its share price at close the placing could raise approximately £400m. Hiscox is facing potential legal action from a group of policyholders who say [...]
Car insurer Admiral suspends special dividend on regulatory pressure April 27, 2020 Car insurer Admiral said today it would suspend its special dividend after regulatory pressure from the Bank of England. Admiral said it would go ahead with its standard dividend payment of 56.3p per ordinary share on 1 June, but said it would not pay its previously recommended special dividend of 20.7p per ordinary share. The [...]
Hiscox faces legal action over coronavirus business interruption claims April 22, 2020 The Night Time Industries Association, which represents bars and clubs across the UK, has launched legal action against Hiscox, alleging the insurer has refused to pay out for claims during the coronavirus pandemic. The organisation is arranging class action against the insurer, which it said has denied liability under its business interruption policy. All night [...]
Hiscox warns of $175m coronavirus insurance hit April 22, 2020 Insurer Hiscox has anticipated paying out up to $175m (£142m) in coronavirus insurance claims arising from restrictions on travel and mass gatherings. The insurer faces a $150m bill if travel restrictions and social distancing measures remain in place for six months from March. And that insurance sum could rise by another $25m if coronavirus restrictions [...]
Admiral shares up as insurer issues £110m refund to customers during lockdown April 21, 2020 Shares in Admiral jumped three per cent today after the insurer announced it will refund £110m to customers as the coronavirus lockdown has reduced the need for car travel. Admiral said this morning that there are fewer cars on the road, and therefore it expects to receive fewer insurance claims. The insurance company will refund [...]
Insurers accused of not ‘sharing the pain’ with businesses during coronavirus pandemic April 19, 2020 Insurers have been accused of not “sharing the pain” of UK businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Research by insurance consultancy Mactavish found at least five commercial insurers have recently removed cover from their policies because of Coronavirus. Mactavish chief executive Bruce Hepburn said: “We have customers getting less cover and paying more for this, whilst [...]