Cinven has been given a few weeks by the seller to negotiate a more than £250 million deal to buy the 190-year old company, according to reports... more
Zurich Financial Services is selling part of its UK operations to Swiss Re as it seeks to unlock capital and boost its position in its key markets... more
Financial stocks were in demand today, helping the FTSE 100 index to kick off the new quarter in style. Barclays was top dog, jumping 10.25p to 287.75p, Royal Bank of Scotland climbed 1.2p to 42p and Lloyds Banking Group gained 1.2p to 59.3p... more
Swiss Re breaks ranks with rivals, becoming one of the first of the giant insurers to say specifically what claims it faces from the Japan earthquake... more
As the crisis in Japan intensified, analysts were racing to treble the predicted impact on the insurance industry with the most pessimistic estimates reaching as high as $60 billion (£38 billion)... more
Swiss Re smashes forecasts with a $812 million (£513 million) net profit in the second quarter as recovering financial markets boost asset values and investment returns... more
When asked what advice he had for Andrew Gowers on succeeding him as BP’s head of PR last year, retiring veteran Roddy Kennedy said: “Very often doing nothing is the best course of action."... more
Swiss Re, the world’s second-biggest reinsurer, says it is confident it will be able to repay the loan it took from billionaire Warren Buffett as business improved in the first quarter... more
Swiss Re misses expectations for 2009 with heavy losses on securitised products and corporate bond hedges, but finished with a net profit and a stronger capital position... more
The resignation of Sir David Murray as chairman and director of Glasgow Rangers has sparked speculation as to who may take over the current Scottish Premier League champions should he go the whole distance and offload his majority shareholding ... more
A critical vote in the House of Lords is looming for small newsagents who are being seriously threatened by plans to prevent tobacco products going on display across Britain ... more
Swiss Re, the second largest reinsurer in the world and occupier of the Gherkin building in the City of London, today said it will cut its workforce by more than 1000 people this year... more
Mutual insurer Liverpool Victoria said annual profits had more than doubled after strong sales and acquisitions helped it ride out volatile markets... more
Insurnace: Swiss Re chief executive Jacques Aigrain has quit after his push for aggressive growth ended in record losses and forced the reinsurance giant to tap investors for funds... more
Banking: Northern Rock’s chief financial officer Ann Godbehere is leaving her £75,000 a month post at the end of February, after earning up to £900,000 for her role in the restructuring of the nationalised lender... more
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets defeated Labour to be elected. Livingstone not only backed him but some of Ken's key players are now at the heart of running the council. Stephen Robinson reports
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