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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LLOYD's of London announced today that Jennifer RIGBY has been appointed Chief Operations Officer (COO).

ZURICH Insurance Group announced that Amanda BLANC, CEO EMEA and Bank Distribution and a Member of the Group's Executive Committee, has tendered her resignation.

In June 2019, Zurich announced actions towards reducing climate change, by expanding existing thermal coal policy, committing to utilize 100% renewable power until 2022 and signing Business Ambition for 1.5 degrees Celsius Pledge.

The Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has been included again in Austria's VONIX sustainability index for the 2019/20 period. The listing was officially announced at the end of June 2019.

German insurer ALLIANZ announced changes to its board of management following Helga JUNG's decision to not extend her appointment and retire at the end of December 2019 after 26 years at ALLIANZ and having served as member of the board of management for eight years.

LLOYD's, the world's insurance and reinsurance market, announced the appointment of Mark COOPER for the newly created role of Head of Market Development for the European market, and Amit KHILOSIA as the new Regional Head, Africa.

Trust Re, the regional reinsurance company headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain since 1989, announced that The Company is satisfied with its 30-year growth and remains committed to fulfilling all its obligations.

ALLIANZ Group and Banco Santander settled an agreement for Banco Santander to buy a 60% stake in Allianz Popular SL, and terminate the exclusive non-life distribution agreement with ALLIANZ's operating entity in Spain.

Global insurance broker GALLAGHER has expanded its presence in CEE Region acquiring minority stake (29.7%) in Czech-based insurance broker RENOMIA for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the third quarter 2019.

AXA announced that after 29 years with the Group, Gerald HARLIN, Group Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer, and a Member of AXA's Management Committee has decided to retire on January 1, 2020.

AXA XL, the property & casualty and specialty risk division of AXA, has named Robert KLEPPER as Chief Underwriting Officer -- Short Tail Insurance Lines, reporting to Jason HARRIS, Chief Executive, Global Property & Casualty Insurance.

The Geneva Association, the global organization of insurance and reinsurance CEOs, has announced the election of four new Board members. The association's Board refreshment follows to the appointment, in February, of Jad ARISS as Secretary General.