The Prudential, the second largest life insurance provider in the UK, has seen the Peoples Bank of China take a one percent stake in the company, worth GBP130 million.
The move puts the Chinese bank into the top 25 of institutional investors in the Prudential, though there is no feeling that the holding is leading up to a takeover bid. The Chinese bank invests in many different businesses and a one percent holding is not uncommon. Speculation came because of the Prudential developing the Asian market though the management at the insurer welcomes the investment.
Such is the activity of the Prudential in Asia that their growth for the first half of the year was 14 percent, a remarkable step forwards.
Specialist insurance provider Hiscox as selected Michael Gould to be the new Chief Operating Officer, the role commencing on June 9.
Mr Gould leaves his post at Aon to go to Hiscox, where he spent 5 years, latterly as Corporate Division CEO. He also has a background in the credit card market, with a number of posts held at Amex where he worked for 14 years.
As Chief Operating Officer at Hiscox Mr Gould will take responsibility for Operations, IT and Property Services across the group, reporting directly to the CEO. Hiscox insurance will be part of the remit, though only as part of the whole group organisation.
A new mortgage and lifestyle protection package has been announced by Liverpool Victoria, designed to provide peace of mind for customers who suffer sickness or unemployment.
The package is quite comprehensive in what it offers, with the option of regular mortgage payment coverage or an index linked sum that will replace more living expenses in the event of difficulties. There is a lot of flexibility in the package too, with the facility to have cover running for different periods of time depending on the need.
A Liverpool Victoria spokesman explained that the protection package offered the flexibility customers wanted with simplicity and delivered the peace of mind that was sought.
