News in brief

New at Bluefin

Bluefin has continued its raid on Aon, adding Keith Burnham to head up its real estate team. Ed Brown, executive director of real estate, joined Bluefin from Aon in April and both John Johnson and Rob Hunter will also be joining from Aon in the coming months. Helen Goodey, previously at Zurich, becomes executive director.

Lorega targets regions

Lorega plans to double its regional sales force from four to eight by the end of the year. It has also boosted its broker development arm. Camilla Cookson becomes business development manager focusing on the London and high net worth markets. And Emily Pass has been appointed Lorega’s business development manager for the northern region.

Fantasy football winner

Congratulations to the latest winner in our Fantasy Football South Africa tournament, sponsored by Events Insurance Services. Mirko Mandich, a credit controller at NIG, is the winner for the quarter final stage. His team, FK TIP TOP MUNDIAL, scored 54 points and he wins a Playstation 3.

FSA fines broker director

The FSA has fined the director of an Essex-based mortgage and insurance broker network £10,500. The authority issued the fine to David Head, director of FT Compliance Services Ltd, for failing to properly supervise insurance brokers who he knew had close links with a firm and individual previously disciplined by the FSA for payment protection insurance failings.

Stoddard moves at Lloyds

David Stoddard, previously general insurance customer service director at Lloyds Banking Group, has taken up a new role in the company as operations director of life, pensions and investments. He has stepped down as a director of Lloyds TSB General Insurance Ltd and St Andrew’s Insurance PLC, both subsidiaries of the Lloyds Banking Group.

Defamation bill in 2011

The Ministry of Justice has published plans to reform the law on defamation. The ministry will publish a draft defamation bill for consultation and pre-legislative scrutiny in the new year, with a view to introducing the bill in the House of Commons soon after. The previous government was forced to withdraw its proposals to cap libel lawyers’ success fees in the run-up to the general election.

Calling all brokers

The Insurance Times 2010 Broker Service Survey is your opportunity to voice your opinion about the quality of your insurer partners. We want evidence to support our league tables, which will influence the industry and also act as an independent voice to guide your customers. All those who share their observations by completing the survey will receive the survey report and will be entered into a prize draw for a luxury weekend away for two. Email lizzie.telford@insurancetimes.co.uk for more information or to request the link to the survey.