What’s New: In Brief (January 08, 2008)

Westport Insurance Corporation, a Swiss Re company, has merged with Employers Reinsurance Corporation.
Employers Reinsurance Corporation holds a Canadian branch.
In the merger, Employers Reinsurance Corporation assumed the Westport name and all of the liability and obligations under and according to the terms of the policies issued by Westport Insurance Corporation, according to a Swiss Re release.
As a result, policyholders and reinsureds of Westport Insurance Corporation and Employers Reinsurance Corporation will now be insured by Westport Insurance Corporation.
In Canada, the impact of the merger is a name change only: from Employers Reinsurance Corporation to Westport Insurance Corporation.

The Royal & SunAlliance Canada Group (R&SA) has announced the completion of its acquisition of Canadian Northern Shield Insurance Company (CNS) from The CUMIS Group Limited.
Ken Keenan has been appointed president of CNS, an intermediated insurer in B.C. with annual premiums in 2006 of approximately Cdn$164 million.
“This acquisition further demonstrates our commitment as a company to the long-term growth and sustainability of the broker channel in Canada,” Rowan Saunders, president and CEO of R&SA, said in a company release. “I have great confidence in Ken and the CNS team and look forward to working closely with our broker partners to provide trusted advice and customer service-focused insurance products to consumers and businesses in B.C.”
Keenan said he is pleased to join CNS and relocate to B.C. from Ireland. “This is an exciting new chapter for R&SA and CNS, and I look forward to leading this business and working closely with all of the employees and broker partners across the province.”