John Cavanagh News

New Ventures Seize Opportunities as Insurers Cope with Coronavirus Losses

Commercial insurers are facing hefty claims from the coronavirus crisis but are also seeing a steep rise in premiums – tempting companies and industry veterans to raise capital, launch new businesses or expand into new lines. New insurance ventures sprang …

MGA Chord Re Launches as Specialty Reinsurer, Writing on Behalf of Neon

Chord Re, a new underwriting vehicle established by Stefan Long, formerly head of Aspen Re London, has launched operations on Nov. 6. Chord Re expects to both structure and lead programs in specialist classes and will initially underwrite on behalf …

Soft Rates Begin to Hit Results – But Pain Continues at Mid-Year Renewals: Willis Re

Despite the deterioration many reinsurers saw in the first quarter, mid-year renewals continued their downward pricing trajectory, according to Willis Re in a recent report. Indeed, underlying loss and expense ratios for many reinsurers are showing a worrying trend of …

Kent to Become Willis Re’s Global CEO when Cavanagh Retires

Willis Re announced that James Kent, the current deputy global CEO, will succeed John Cavanagh when he retires from his position as global CEO in December 2017. Kent joined Willis Re in 2004 and has served as the global deputy …

Reinsurers Can Expect Another Difficult Year, Seeking Price Stabilization: Willis Re

Despite a 50 percent increase in insured losses from natural catastrophes during 2016, the global reinsurance industry achieved profitable results for the third quarter and remains on track to close out another profitable full year, according to a report published …

Willis Re Taps Aon’s McDowell to Lead Bermuda Unit; Harden as APAC President

Willis Re announced the appointment of Chris McDowell as CEO of Willis Re Bermuda. Effective Jan. 1, 2017, he will succeed Michael Harden, CEO of Willis Re Bermuda since 2014, who is returning to the Asia Pacific region as president …

Market Softening Slows but Rate Stabilization Is Elusive: Willis Re

The June/July 2016 renewal season has seen a continuation in market softening, though the magnitude of rate reductions is slowing, according to the latest 1st View Renewals report from Willis Re, the reinsurance business of Willis Towers Watson. Capacity withdrawals …

April Renewals Saw More Price Cuts, but Reinsurance Demand Rises: Willis Re

While the April 1 renewals saw a continuation of the softening market, there are encouraging signs that price cuts are slowing and reinsurance demand is rising, according to a Willis Re report. For the fourth consecutive year, reinsurance buyers have …

Risk Appetite Statements Driving Shift in Reinsurance Buying Decisions: Willis Re

The rising adoption of formal risk appetite statements is having a dramatic effect on reinsurance buying decisions, with purchasing power increasingly moving to the center, according to the findings of a new global survey by Willis Re, the reinsurance business …

El Niño Helped Reduce Natural Catastrophe Losses in 2015: Munich Re

Insurers paid out around $27 billion for natural disaster claims last year with weather causing 94 percent of incidents, underscoring the challenge posed by climate change, data from reinsurer Munich Re showed on Monday. While the climate phenomenon known as …