Employee Benefits Propositions (EVP) are gaining in importance now that employers are more focused on offering a bespoke employee experience, and the Aon UK Benefits and Trends 2020 Survey shows that although the number of employers who have or are working towards an Employee Value Proposition remain similar (76%), there has been a significant increase in the number of employers who now communicate that EVP to staff. The survey shows

In the interest of fostering a more stable work environment for trans and non-binary workers, Lloyd’s of London in December 2019 published a guide for the insurance sector that helps managers understand how to make trans and non-binary employees feel included in the workplace. The proportion of colleagues who identify as trans or non-binary could rise from about 4% to as high as 20%, as younger people, many of

MAXIS Global Benefits Network announced in January 2020 the appointment of Damian Allepuz Lemmens to the role of Regional Manager, Western Europe. Lemmens is based in Paris, and reports to David Schupak, Regional Director for Western Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Lemmens leads a team of four employee benefits experts who work with MAXIS GBN’s strategic partners (brokers, consultants, and local member insurers) to develop employee benefits solutions

A team of Israeli scientists in December 2019 announced it had discovered a new treatment that reduces pancreatic cancer cells in mice by up to 90%. The survival rate for pancreatic cancer is fewer than 5 years, and current options for treatment require chemotherapy, which stops cell division in the whole body. This affects the whole body as there is no discriminatory targeting – causing, for example, hair loss,

The size of the global international private medical insurance (iPMI) market will reach an estimated US$17bn (£12.7bn) by the end of 2020, according to iPMI advisers from the McGrigor Group. McGrigor’s research reveals that Cigna in particular is number one in global iPMI, ever since its acquisition of Vanbreda in 2012, and advisers see the big regional winners as Sub Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. They noted that countries

New York Life Insurance and Cigna in December 2019 reached a deal for New York Life to acquire Cigna’s group life and disability insurance business for US$6.3 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The group life and disability insurance business will operate within New York Life’s portfolio of strategic businesses and support

Aon in January 2020 announced the completion of its acquisition of SMB insurtech broker CoverWallet. Aon aims to increase its presence in the rapidly growing commercial insurance market for smaller businesses. The acquisition will allow Aon to utilise CoverWallet’s technology and data & analytics capabilities. CoverWallet joins the portfolio of Aon’s New Ventures Group, which functions as a growth-stage capability focused on delivering new sources of value to clients

With the implementation of the EU’s IORP II Directive, Aon in December 2019 announced it would stop offering its United Pensions solution for cross border pension solutions. Aon Retirement and Investment, Netherlands, CEO, Frank Driessen, explained that while existing Dutch United Pension clients will not be affected, there is a great deal of uncertainty and mistrust around cross-border pension transfers. What has been a thorn in the side of

Since the beginning of the 2019-2020 COVID-19 pandemic, a great wealth of information has been made available to the general public as well as to human resources professionals. GBV has no particular expertise in epidemiology, the treatment of people affected by COVID-19, or the socioeconomic impact of the pandemic, and therefore refrains from adding to the noise component of what is now on offer. Nevertheless, the editorial team here

Sean Genden has been named Head of International Insurance at Hartford, Connecticut, USA-based investment and insurance company The Hartford. Prior to this he was with Travelers for 28 years in roles such as International Business Insurance Segment Leader. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer, Europe and earlier as Chief Operating Officer for Travelers Europe. In an executive capacity he served as an Executive Board Member of both Travelers

Danilo Lima in February 2019 founded and now leads employee benefits consulting firm 360 Beneficios, located in Sao Paolo, Brazil. 360 Benefícios is an HR Tech firm that focuses on employee benefits integration in Brazil; its software and services simplify selecting, implementing, and managing corporate benefits. Prior to 360 Beneficios, Danilo was a Business Manager with startup acceleration program InovAtiva Brazil and with Aliança Empreendedora (Entrepreneurial Alliance); a Regional

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in December 2019 adopted changes to the IFRS 17 exposure draft supported by the insurance industry, and has decided to delay discussions about extending the new standards’ effective date beyond the current 2022 deadline. IFRS 17, issued in May 2017, is the first truly international accounting standard for insurance contracts. It addresses the many inadequacies of local rules in accounting for such contracts.

Bernie Sanders, who’s currently in the race for the Democrats’ Presidential nomination, pledged to deliver “an economy that works for all, not just the very wealthy.” On the other side of the political spectrum, and across the Atlantic, former UK Prime Minister Theresa May gave a maiden speech that promised to create “a country that works not for a privileged few, but for every one of us”.

Exercise is not only good for your physical health, it’s good for your mental health, too. Indeed, many people even take up exercise as a way of boosting their mental well-being. But is all exercise equally beneficial – and does it matter whether you do it alone or in a group?

A new year typically brings new resolutions. While making resolutions is easy, sticking with them is not. Exercise-related resolutions consistently make the top 10 list, but up to 80% of resolutions to be healthier, including promises to exercise more, are tossed aside by February.

As many as one in six adults experience mental health problems like depression or anxiety every week. And not only is mental ill-health one of the most common causes of disease worldwide – it’s also on the rise. Finding ways to improve mental health is therefore essential.

How did those new year’s resolutions work out for you? Old habits will have already returned for many – you’re not alone if you’ve already stopped using that new gym membership. Similarly, you’re in good company if 2020 is already stressing you out.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in February 2020 released its list of the top five risks to the global economy in 2020: The likelihood of at least one of these five possible events occurring in 2020 is … 69%.   The EIU report can be downloaded from this page (contact information required). The company is the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, the sister company to The

The Captive Insurance Companies Association (CICA) 2020 International Conference will take place on March 8-10, 2020, at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The conference theme in 2020 is “Building on the Best”. The CICA conference explores new uses of captives, how to engage new talent, and outlines best practices. A Professional Development Track provides training for captive and risk management professionals. Conference

The European Association of Paritarian Institutions (AEIP) in February 2020 announced the appointment of Alexandra Kaydzhiyska to the newly created position of Executive Director, based in Brussels, Belgium. Alexandra previously was AEIP’s Permanent Representative and Team Lead, in charge of developing AEIP; leading the Brussels-based team; and relations with European institutions & partners. Earlier in her career, she was Policy Advisor for Financial & Economic Affairs with AEIP; Policy

The European Association of Paritarian Institutions (AEIP) announces the 12th edition of the Transatlantic & World Pension Alliance Conference. The event will take place from 27 to 29 May 2020 in Brussels, Belgium. Moderated by GBV magazine, the conference is organized by AEIP in cooperation with the U.S. National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP), the Multi-employer Benefit Plan Council of Canada (MEBCO), and the World Pension Alliance, currently

U.S. broker Alliant in February 2020 announced the appointment of Philippe de Dreuzy to head up its global benefits practice as Senior Vice President and Global Practice Leader. He will be based near San Francisco, California. With headquarters in Newport Beach, California, Alliant Insurance Services provides property and casualty, workers’ compensation, employee benefits, underwriting, surety, and financial products and services to clients in the U.S. Over his 25-year career

The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) in May 2020 organizes the first edition of its new CONNECT Global Benefits Summit. A non-profit association, IFEBP has 8,200 organizations and 32,000 individuals as members; 87% are based in the U.S. and 13% in Canada. IFEBP operates out of Brookfield, Wisconsin (USA). The inaugural event is designed for experienced multinational benefit professionals. This dynamic event will feature expert-led sessions and

Global benefits, HR and mobility professionals: Have you registered for IBIS Academy 2020? 48 hours left for early registration pricing! Register today for the IBIS Academy 2020: Intersections. Learn more at ajg.com/ibisacademy or register today http://www.cvent.com/d/ghqnp4 or fill the form below for your Registration Package. . #IBISAcademy2020 #gallagherbetterworks #gallagher   IBIS Academy 2020: Intersections – Registration Package Request

Early Registration for the 2020 IBIS Academy is open! Join Global Benefits Vision for the 50th edition of the IBIS Academy presented by Gallagher on 11-15 May, 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland. Gain insights, knowledge, and the skills you need to keep your organization among the ranks of the top global employers. Early registration savings are available. Learn more at ajg.com/ibisacademy or register today at http://www.cvent.com/d/ghqnp4 #IBISAcademy2020 #gallagherbetterworks #gallagher

Marie Moberg in December 2019 started her own consulting firm, Morem Consulting AB. Previously, she served as Group Head Compensation and Benefits at Bonava from 2016-2019 where she also served as Interim Group Head of HR (2018). Prior to this she was a Compensation Expert at Sandvik from 2012-2016 where she served in Australia and was Compensation and Benefits Manager at Sandvik Mining global. Marie was Director of Compensation

Reto Toscan, who oversaw the rapid rise of elipsLife from only 7 employees in 2011 when he joined, to 300 in 2019 and USD 500 million of premium in the employee benefits space has been succeeded in December 2019 by industry veteran Christoph Gaus. Gaus, who joined elipsLife from Zurich Insurance Group and Swiss Mobiliar Insurance Company, where he held senior roles, has more than two decades’ experience in