Author Archive
Julian Calne
The Hidden Impact of Financial Stress on Employees: 2023 Survey
The research report “The Cost of Money Worries – 2023 Survey Results” presents compelling data on the impact of financial stress on employees in the UK. The survey, conducted by Opinion Matters, involved 1,019 full-time UK workers and reveals significant findings about the intersection of financial wellbeing and workplace productivity. Key Findings: 23% of UK full-time workers struggled to concentrate at work due to money worries. 16% incurred debts
MAXIS GBN Appoints Suzanna Hicks and Nathan Dewhurst as EMEA Member Managers
MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanna Hicks and Nathan Dewhurst as Member Managers, reinforcing their commitment to providing top-notch support to network members across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions. Suzanna Hicks, who joined MAXIS GBN in July 2023, brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at AXA Health. With five years as a Care Coordination Pathway
Aon Research Highlights Differences in Wellbeing Risks Between the UK and Other Regions
Aon plc, a global professional services firm, has recently released its 2022-2023 Global Wellbeing Survey, shedding light on significant disparities in employee well being risks between the UK and other regions. The survey, conducted in collaboration with IPSOS, gathered insights from HR and reward leaders across 46 countries and various industries. Here’s an overview of the key findings and their implications. Mental Health and Burnout Take Center Stage Mental
Lufthansa exiting its insurance business Delvag and Albatros?
In a strategic move to streamline its operations, German airline Lufthansa is reportedly considering the sale of its in-house insurer Delvag and insurance broker Albatros attracting significant attention in the aviation industry and financial markets. Lufthansa’s decision to explore the sale of these insurance subsidiaries comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to focus on its core aviation business. By divesting these non-core assets, the airline aims to
Paolo Marchiori named first Country Manager, Spain, Portugal & Italy of Generali Employee Benefits
Paolo Marchiori has been named as the first Country Manager for Spain, Portugal, and Italy by Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) in July 2023. A veteran of Generali, Paolo started his career at Generali in 2005 as a Pool Captive Administrator and over the past 18 years has been across the globe: his experience ranges from being Area Manager Eastern Region USA/Canada, to Regional Business Development Manager Southern Europe and
OECD Q2 2023 GDP Growth: Moderate Rise Amid Global Economic Trends while uncertainties persist
The latest report from the OECD reveals that in the second quarter of 2023, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of its member countries experienced a moderate growth of 0.4% on a quarter-on-quarter basis. This increase, while positive, represents a slight deceleration compared to previous quarters. Despite this, some individual member states demonstrated notable growth in this period. For instance, Japan’s GDP surged by 1.5%, a significant improvement from the
G20 Merchandise Trade Contracts & Services Slows in Q2 2023 Amid Global Economic Shifts: lower global mobility of employees?
G20 merchandise trade faced a contraction in value during the second quarter of 2023, when compared to the previous quarter, measured in current US dollars. Both exports and imports experienced declines of 3.1% and 2.0% respectively. This decline can be attributed to subdued global demand and the decreasing prices of commodities, especially energy products. The drop in energy prices had a significant impact on North America’s trade value, leading
Insurance, pensions, and savings: Safeguarding the Global Digital Nomad Lifestyle
In an era defined by remote work and boundless connectivity, the rise of digital nomads has transformed the way people work and live. These globe-trotting individuals leverage technology to work from anywhere, embracing a lifestyle that offers freedom and exploration. However, with this freedom comes the need for a safety net that ensures their well-being and financial security, and this is where digital insurance steps in. Digital nomads are
Zurich Introduces new ‘Underwriting Year’ Reporting for Global Employee Benefits Customers
Zurich Global Employee Benefits Solutions (ZGEBS) has made a groundbreaking announcement by launching an ‘Underwriting Year’ customer reporting capability. This move comes in response to increasing customer demand, showcasing ZGEBS’s commitment to innovation. As a part of Zurich Insurance Company Ltd.’s business unit Zurich Integrated Benefits, ZGEBS is positioned to provide comprehensive expertise in employee benefits globally. The newly introduced ‘Underwriting Year’ information empowers global employee benefit customers to
Swiss Re SONAR Report Discusses Emerging Risks
Swiss Re in May 2019 released its latest SONAR report, in which they highlight emerging and “slow-burner” emerging risks and their potential effects on the re/insurance industry. Emerging risks are newly developing or evolving risks that are difficult to quantify, but potentially have a significant impact on the industry and society. Emerging trend spotlights examine early development, which may offer both opportunities and risks for the insurance industry in
Claude Yoder named as partner, Lockton Global Re
Lockton in March 2019 named Claude Yoder as partner, along with Guy Carpenter and Nick Durant, of its new company, Lockton Global Re, as of May 2019. Yoder, an experienced analytics expert, will be based in New York. Yoder joins from Guy Carpenter, where he was Chief Innovation and Product Development Officer, after serving as Global Head of Analytics for Marsh. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in
EU Nations Prepare for a Hard Brexit
In mid-January 2019 the UK Parliament rejected the proposed European Union (EU)-UK agreement that provided for a more or less orderly Brexit. Two months ahead of the deadline, the British government is expected to further push for an approval of the agreement, but a disorderly separation may now be the most likely scenario. Accordingly, EU nations are getting ready to minimize expected disruptions. The European Commission, in December 2019, published
Cover-More Group Acquires UK-Irish Broker Blue Insurance
Zurich in July 2018 acquired Blue Insurance, a travel insurance intermediary in the U.K. and Irish markets. The acquisition was made through Zurich’s Cover-More subsidiary, which provides travel insurance and medical assistance services, for an estimated €70 million. Blue Insurance offers direct-to-consumer travel insurance distribution capabilities through online brands in the U.K. and Ireland. Blue Insurance will be part of Cover More’s Europe and UK business, led by Judith
Sun Life partners with Pareto to enter U.S. stop-loss captives market
Sun Life Financial and Pareto Captive Services in October 2017 announced a new stop-loss group captive solution, Legend Re, which will be available in the U.S. for policies effective January 1, 2018. The initiative is designed to reduce claims volatility for small and medium self-funded employers or fully-insured employers transitioning to self-funding in order to realize cost savings. Employers in a group captive typically have under 500 employees, are
Declining Work Hours and the Rise in Young Men’s Gaming
Increased leisure time and reduced labor supply of young men may be partly due to the improved quality of video games, according to a working paper published in September 2017 by the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). The objective of the paper is to distinguish the increase in leisure due to improved leisure technology from increases in leisure due to other forces such as declining labor market
APRIL International Short Term IPMI Product
The demand for short term international private health insurance or IPMI which bridges the gap between travel insurance and longer term cover looks set to keep growing, particularly as events such as Brexit unfold. Brexit could unleash yet more demand as international arrangements such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may no longer cover travelers to and from the U.K. . The impact of the internet, budgetary pressures
Brian Duperreault named President and CEO of AIG
American International Group in May 2017 announced the appointment of Brian Duperreault as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Duperreault previously served as Chairman and CEO of Hamilton Insurance Group, a Bermuda-based holding company, with property and casualty insurance and reinsurance operations in Bermuda, the U.S. and the UK. Prior to this, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Before joining Marsh, he served for two years as non-executive Chairman of ACE,