OTP's Express Life Insurance of Bulgaria agreed to sell 100% of shares to Groupama's subsidiary in Bulgaria, strengthening Groupama's position in the local market.

AON announced that its Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Darren ZEIDEL as the firm's Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Company Secretary, effective July 12, 2019.

AVIVA has appointed Patrick FLYNN as an Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 16 July 2019. He will also join the Board Audit, Risk and Nomination Committees.

Sofia-based EUROINS Insurance Group announced its Bulgarian subsidiary Insurance Company EUROINS AD intends to offer legal expenses insurance on the territory of the Republic of Malta under the terms of the freedom of provision of services, according to a statement by Bulgaria's Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

With reference to the agreement that EUROHOLD Bulgaria AD signed to acquire CEZ's assets in Bulgaria, the international credit rating agency FITCH Ratings placed EUROHOLD Bulgaria AD's Rating under observation.

Swiss Re announced the suspension of its previously communicated plans for an initial public offering (IPO) of ReAssure. "This action is in response to the heightened caution and weaker underlying demand in the UK primary market from large institutional investors", as the global reinsurer mentioned in a statement.

Elisabeth Stadler, CEO and chairwoman of the listed Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria, under a resolution adopted by the country's President on 23 April 2019. The award was presented on 9 July 2019 by the Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs, Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl.

Latvian insurers generated EUR 4.8 million in first quarter net profit, EUR 2.2 more compared with Q12018, according to figures released by the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FKTK). About 64% of total GWP were written by local insurers (EUR 132.5 million, or 1% less y-o-y), the rest by EU insurers (EUR 75 million, up by 7.9% y-o-y).

Estonian insurers reported GWP of EUR 122 million in Q1 2019, representing an 3% y-o-y decrease, according to quarterly figures published by the Estonian National Statistics Board.

Over the past 5 years (since 2014), the total number of insurers on the local market has decreased by 41.5%, and the number of branches by 27.6%, ASN reports based on a review of insurer activity, published by the Federal State Statistics Service.

From July 1 this year, a new procedure for premium calculation in MTPL entered into force in Moldova and an estimated premium was introduced as part of tariff liberalization for the segment, reports Capital.market (the informational pamphlet of the National Financial Market Commission (CNPF).

GWP of Belarussian insurers from January to May this year amounted to BYN 578.9 million (~EUR 248.1 million), which is 13.8% more y-o-y, according to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic.

For the first four months of this year, life insurance increased by 7.4% y-o-y, reported insuranceworld.gr and Insurancedaily.gr according to EAEE (Association of Insurance Companies of Greece).

Natalia KARPOVA, previous RNRC Deputy Chairman of the Board, was appointed as RNRC (Russian National Reinsurance Company) President, Chairman of the Board effective from July 1, 2019 based on the resolution of the Central Bank of Russia, as the company reported on its website.

The 6th Annual Insurance Business Forum "Challenges of the Year 2019" will take place on September 16-18, 2019 in Sochi.

On July 9, AXA announced the appointment of Renaud GUIDEE as Group Chief Risk Officer. Currently Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in France, he will join AXA in September 2019, subject to regulatory approval.

ZURICH Insurance Group has appointed Alison MARTIN to the role of Chief Executive Officer Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Bank Distribution with immediate effect. She succeeds Amanda BLANC who recently left the business (more details here). The appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

ALLIANZ Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS), the corporate insurance carrier of ALLIANZ Group, announces the appointment of Melanie GILLIG (currently Regional Head of HR for Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) as Global Head of Human Resources (HR) effective January 1, 2020.

Global insurance premiums passed USD 5 trillion for the first time ever in 2018, a figure which represents 6% of world gross domestic product, the latest sigma report from Swiss Re Institute shows.

Pool Re, Britain's leading terrorism reinsurer, today announced the placement of its new retrocession programme covering non-damage business interruption ("NDBI") losses. The programme incepted on July 5th.