In Brief

Willis Group in South Africa
Giant broker Willis Group has acquired a majority holding in South African brokers Floyd & Associates. Following completion of the deal, Floyd & Associates, which first began trading in 1998, will trade under the name Willis and become part of its International Network.

Holiday cover over priced
Two thirds of holidaymakers still buy their insurance from the holiday provider, but according to the Nationwide Building Society this can be reduced by two-thirds by shopping around.

insurE-com is free to brokers
In the recent Insurance Times Technology Supplement, it was reported that insurE-com's new quotation system is supplied to brokers at a cost. In fact, it supplied free of charge for all registered brokers and the charges (annual licence fee, maintenance charge and percentage commission) are levied on insurers.

Corporate killings plans
A Government consultation paper has proposed to tighten laws on involuntary manslaughter and introduce new offences to deal with death caused by recklessness. The report suggests corporate killing, reckless killing, killing by gross carelessness and killing when the intention was to cause only minor injury should replace the current law on involuntary manslaughter. The proposals aim to make it easier for companies and organisations to be prosecuted successfully.

CGNU is on
A High Court hearing this week agreed to the merger of CGU and Norwich Union, removing the last legal obstacle to the deal and helping push CGU shares up. Dealing in NU shares will stop on Friday. The first day of trading of CGNU shares will be next Tuesday May 30 when the company will receive joint listing on the Stock Exchange.

East is best
Eastgate Assistance has clinched a contract to provide a range of legal and helpline services for Law4U. Law4U,run by David Yablon Solicitors, provides a range of legal protection and assistance for employers to offer to staff and their families. Eastgate Assistance will provide legal expenses cover for professional fees up to £50,000 per claim. Cover will include claims for employment disputes and death or personal injury.

Provident in for award
Insurer Provident has been shortlisted for the TD2000 Award, which recognises excellence in the field of training. Provident was one of three organisations shortlisted and the next stage of the assessment will involve judges visiting the company's Halifax offices on June 23. The final presentation will be held at the NEC in Birmingham on July 4.

Karting slog with Carp
The Carp Group will be holding its annual three-hour go-karting endurance race at Buckmore Park near Maidstone on Saturday July 1. Last year 28 teams and 250 drivers took part in the race. For more information, contact the Carp Group on 020 8290 2055.

Lloyds TSB's degree of help
Lloyds TSB insuredirect is giving thermometers to parents to put near their baby's cot to monitor its temperature, if they phone insuredirect for a home insurance quote, giving the reference DP104.

New Toon at law firms
Newcastle-based lawyers Linsley & Mortimer has merged with European lawyers Eversheds. The firm will join Eversheds corporate and commercial insurance specialists in the North East.

Linsley & Mortimer undertakes high value defendant work for clients such as CGU and Iron Trades. The merger will establish Newcastle and Teesside as centres for defendant insurance work.

Meanwhile, Eversheds has launched a second edition of Pensions Law Handbook.

The annual publication provides practical and up to date information on pensions law. Pensions Law Handbook is not aimed at lawyers but scheme managers, managing directors, company chairmen, finance directors, actuaries, accountants, trustees and administrators.

Taylor Acland's Lib Dem deal
Taylor Acland, part of the Hanover Park Group, has clinched an exclusive deal with the Liberal Democrat party.

It will act as both brokers to the party and consultants for the development of future affinity schemes.

"We are currently at the final stages of selecting insurance partners for the range of affinity schemes we will launch in the autumn," said Brian Dunk, Group Marketing Manager of the Hanover Group.

People power at Lloyd's group
Lloyd's group Edgar Hamilton has achieved the Investor in People award.

The group made the grade after forming a working party to help implement a series of recommendations made by an outside management company.

It resulted in a new business plan for the organisation, an overhaul of the staff appraisal system and a full staff training programme.

Goss reign at football
Reading-based Goss Group have won the Royals Cup, an inter company six-a-side football tournament at Reading Football Club's Madejski Stadium.

The Group contains Goss & Co Insurance Brokers, the largest independent broker in the Thames Valley, together with sister companies involved in Financial Services, Retail and Business Travel and Graphic Design.

New India goes to Ipswich
The largest general insurer in India, New India Assurance Company, has opened an office in Ipswich for its main underwriting operation.

There are ten staff at the office but New India is seeking to employ more. Internationally, the insurer employs 25,000 people in 23 countries.