COVER STORY

Shifting sands

Despite the global downturn the Middle East has been a hotbed of foreign activity in recent months, with Dubai taking the limelight. But others are looking at developing their presence in more than one centre, says Sarah Ahmad.

EDITORIAL

Slash and burn

SPECIAL REPORTS

Capital city

This year has been action-packed when it comes to capital movement in the London Market. While start-ups hot footed it to Lloyd’s, more established players unleashed a wave of capital-raisings and stamp capacity boosts. So far, so active and there could well be more to come, says Ruth Lythe.

Process makes perfect

Sarah Ahmad measures the success of modernisation processes in the London Market and discovers what’s next on the agenda.

FEATURES

Chief investment officers : Lessons learned

The financial crisis threw the role of the chief investment officer in to a not altogether positive limelight and there is still a rocky road ahead, says Stuart Collins.

Insurance day summit bermuda : Island views

An action-packed mid-year renewals season proves that there’s plenty of issues occupying Bermuda’s re/insurance sector. It bodes well for some interesting discussions at this year’s Insurance Day Summit on the island, says Greg Dobie.

News : Re-Moves

Service provider focus: legal : Court in the act

The total number of lawsuits filed related to the financial crisis now exceeds 1,000, a number that is expected to increase. What comes next, asks Ana Paula Nacif.

Us renewals : Florida bridges the gap

Re/insurers were left on tenterhooks at this year’s US treaty renewals as they waited for the outcome of legislative changes affecting the Florida catastrophe fund. So when the discussions finally took place how did they shape up, asks Ruth Lythe.

REGULARS

NEWS IN BRIEF

London’s sights still on contract certainty

Directive will spark M&A

Bonuses must be balanced

E-trading: Be patient

FSA industry warning

No evidence of worldwide financial crisis – Munich Re

REPORTAGE

Tough times ahead for European multi-lines

Lloyd’s emerges from 2008 in ‘advantageous position’ – Guy Carpenter

$90bn loss if cat 3 hurricane hits east coast, says report

‘Normal’ tropical cyclone season predicted for north west Pacific

NEWS ANALYSIS

Talking up takaful

The takaful market has not escaped unscathed from the financial downturn. But despite the fall in demand and growth, a recent report is confident that takaful operators will find a window of opportunity in the crisis, reports Sarah Ahmad.

Summit to talk about

Lloyd’s chief executive Richard Ward and Ace Europe CEO Andrew Kendrick were just two of the big names on stage at the Insurance Day Summit London. But while one was taking a positive view of the downturn, the other had a more cautionary tale to tell. Greg Dobie was in the audience.

Call in the Fed

Stephen Catlin and Robert Hiscox have called for a collective market response to what they allege is US government-backed AIG’s slashing of prices in order to retain business. Greg Dobie reports.

BEST OF THE WEB

Negative outlook for Russian insurers, says Fitch

Swiss Re posts profit for Q1 2009

Run-off review

Negative rating outlook for Bermuda

AIG plans Asia unit IPO

SOAP BOX

Flight to inequality

Now more than ever, airline insurers are being squeezed from all sides by over capacity and fewer clients. And the broking giants have contributed to the situation argues David George.

LEGAL UPDATE

Suspicious minds

Cynicism is the mot du jour in the UK at least, as the public rages at the extravagant expense claims submitted by its MPs. But re/insurers should not allow good business strategy to be stalled by unfounded policyholder suspicions, says Clive O’Connell.

BYSTANDER

Hiscox and the tsetse fly

A Manx tax tale

The Chancellor, the cab driver, his passenger and the £500 contract