Helix in the Media

Double Standards
In July, Helix UK hosted its third annual panel discussion in association with AIRROC in New York, updating the US market on the latest developments in London.  The panel identified an expanding gulf in service standards between live and run-off business and a huge fall in open syndicate liabilities at Lloyd's.
(Publication: Run off & restructuring Autum 2008).

Bridging the Gap
Frustrated carriers have been using broker replacement services for years, but now brokers themselves are increasingly calling in specialist service providers.  John Sanders examines the reasons for this and considers whether ultimately clients will pay separately for broker placing and servicing.
(Publication: Run off & restructuring Autum 2008).

Is London's heyday over?
Mike Palmer from Helix UK Limited participated in this years Global Reinsurance Round table (supported by those associated sponsors named) looking at the future of London Run-Off.
Has the bubble burst? (Publication: Global Reinsurance June 2008).

London Market Update
Mike Palmer of Helix UK presents a report on a Helix/AIRROC organised panel discussion in New York looking at the latest trends and developments in the London run-off market.  Some of London's leading experts gave an insight into the key issues of 2007 and beyond.  A picture of consolidation, two tier service standards, price hikes and a breakdown of traditional processes was the background to the discussion.   (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Dec 2007/New Year 2008).

Adapting and Surviving
2007 was a tough year for service providers.  Mike Palmer speaks to John Sanders about his thoughts on the future of the run-off sector.  (Publication: Yearbook and directory of run off service providers 2008).

Panel Discussion Special:  London Market Update
In New York recently Helix UK Limited in conjuction with AIRROC played host to a panel discussion looking at the latest trends and developments in the London run-off market.  Some of London's leading experts gave an insight into the key issues of 2007 and beyond.  A picture of consolidation, two tier service standards, price hikes and a breakdown of traditional processes were hot on the topical agenda.  This article first appeared in JTW News.    (Publication: AIRROC Matters Winter 2007-2008).

The Deal of the Decade
Speaking in public for the first time since the deal was announced, Equitas Chief Executive Officer Scott Moser addressed the Association of Run-Off Companies (ARC) yearly congress at the Merchant Taylors Hall on 27th February 2007.
Mike Palmer reviews the deal and looks at what it means for policyholders, cedants, and the wider market.  Mike also looks at what precedent if any, the Equitas scenario sets for tackling Lloyd's open years or post-Equitas run-off issue.  (Publication: AIRROC Matters Summer 2007).

Panel Discussion Special
Helix UK Limited in conjunction with AIRROC recently played host to a panel discussion in New York looking at the latest trends and developments in the London run-off market.  Some of London's leading experts gave an insight into the key issues of 2007 and beyond.  A picture of consolidation, two tier service standards, price hikes and a breakdown of traditional processes were hot on the topical agenda.

Meeting the information management challenges of effective run-off
John West, a consultant for Helix UK based in Boston USA, points to how the various relationships between the numerous parties in run-off situations are accompanied by significant IT implications, including coping with multi-layers of information flow which began  with the original insurance processes.    (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Summer 2007).

Removing the worry of spreadsheet error
Janet Pearson of Helix UK warns of the need to undertake proper checks to ensure correct data input and manipulating when completing and using spreadsheets.  (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Summer 2007).

Changing positions on claims issues
John West a consultant for Helix UK based in Boston USA, considers the way, collections and collaterals are addressed has been changing, and comments on the issues now being thrown up for resolution within the reinsurance and primary insurance industries.  (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Spring 2007).

The run-off deal of the decade?
Mike Palmer, a director of Helix UK, reports in detail on a speech by Equitas CEO Scott Moser on the deal with Berkshire Hathaway, and makes his own observations on whether the deal does all that it is said to do.  (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Spring 2007).

Helix announces new website
To commence the launch of our new website, Helix ran a competition in March to spot recovery nurses within the pages of the website.  The competition was exceptionally popular, the website received over 300 visits on the first day!  Insurance Day featured the Helix recovery nurse (reinsurance recoveries!) in its run-off supplement.  (Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance Spring 2007).

Helix wins Duncanson and Holt contract
Following a competetive tender.  Helix UK Ltd agrees a contract with Duncanson and Holt Syndicate Management.  Helix will assist Duncanson and Holt with reinsurance recoveries and broker replacement from a number of legacy London market brokers.  
(Publication: Run-Off and Restructuring 2007 Yearbook and Directory)

Helix wins Duncanson and Holt contract
(Publication: Run-Off and Restructuring -  Winter 2006)

Changes in the market and their legacy
Richard King and Giampaolo Bianchini of Helix UK reminisce and reflect on changes which have occurred over time in the reinsurance market and the issues which now have to be faced.
(Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance, Autumn 2006).
 

Rampant Rabbits and the Model Problem
Modelling is very much in vogue in the reinsurance industry. Starting with his company's corporate image, Richard King takes a light-hearted look at modelling and suggests that it is neither that new nor that precise.
(Publication: JTW, September 2006, Issue 108)

A new phase of outsourcing
Does Aon's announcement herald a new model to handling run-off recoveries?
(Publication: Run-off business, Summer 2006)

Collecting Reinsurance from the London Market - Conference Report - New York - 27th July 2006
A panel session sponsored by service provider Helix and solicitors Beachcroft Wandsbroughs
(Publication: JTW,  September 2006, Issue 108)

Read a book, play a game
Richard King, senior consultant at Helix, offers some thoughts on Game Theory and its applications
(Publication: JTW News, September 2005, Issue 98)

Contract Certainty: Myth or Reality?
Mike Palmer and David Tiplady look at the revision of market practices and ask, is contract certainty the answer?
(Publication: JTW, July/August 2006)

The ongoing reality and contribution of run-off
Mike Palmer looks at the living reality of run-off and the contribution it makes and what contributes efficient run-off according to the interests of different stakeholders.
(Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance - 2005)

The epidemiology of insurance claims
Do disease models provide any insight into the control or mitigation of more serious insurance contagion? Ask Dewi James or Richard King.
(Publication: Global Re, September 2005)

A much needed forum
AIRROC describes the background behind its formation and outlines the basis of its forthcoming 1st conference.
(Publication: Run-off Business, Issue 14 - 2005)

Notes from the Black Forest
Ratings agencies probably attract praise or otherwise in equal measure, depending on how they view your company. We offer some thoughts on their methodologies and a suggestion for an alternative that might remove an apparent anomaly.
(Publication: reinsuranceworld, Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 2005)

Assessing and achieving insurance competence
Paul Crayk comments on the regulatory pressure for UK insurance firms to ensure there is the necessary competence within the organisation.
(Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance 2005)

Helix panel discussion - "Service providers, money for old rope or real added value?"
Covered by Insurance Day on 25 May 2005 and headlined "UK run-off services market set for wave of M&A consolidation".
(Publication: Insurance Day, 25 May 2005)

When brokers go bust
Broker insolvencies don't have the same impact as insurers or reinsurers going under. Yet even in a small broker, litigation and poor accounting can tie up millions, causing disruption for insurers, reinsurers and former clients.
(Publication: Run Off Business, Issue thirteen, Summer 2005)

Run-off - a trillion - dollar baby?
Insurance Day, in conjunction with KPMG in the UK, recently played host to a roundtable looking at the current state of run-off in key markets around the globe. Some of the world's leading experts in the field were present to consider the scale of this diverse industry and the challenges that run-off is facing in the years ahead.
(Publication: Insurance Day, 3 May 2005)

Widening the scope
Should claims service providers be authorised, asks Colin Johnson, managing director of Helix UK Limited.
(Publication: IQ Summer 2005)

Run Off Business Supplement
Take a look at our special supplement released in the Spring edition of Run Off Business.
(Publication: Run Off Business, Spring 2005)

Outsourcing, Real Added Value?
Can outsourcing add value to insurance and reinsurance business functions? In many cases, especially management of run-off, many believe it can. The arguments can be compelling for very many reasons, some of which are explored here.
(Publication: reinsuranceworld, Volume 1, Issue 1)

Helix at Monte Carlo 2004
Katie Cooke from JTW News reports on the recent Helix and Alan Gray interactive seminar.
(Publication: JTW News, Issue 89, October 2004)

Talking shop
Run-off has come a long way since ARC was formed in 1998. On the eve of this year's Congress we brought together some leading members of ARC to discuss recent developments and issues facing the run-off sector. Solvent schemes, solvency requirements, claims management, credit control and training are just some of the topics that cropped up in a wide ranging discussion.
(Publication: Run Off Business, Spring 2005)

Run-off in the London Insurance Market
Mike Palmer and Leslie-Ann Giovnilli review run-off in London and how the Association of Run-off Companies (ARC) are working to provide their members with solutions and forums.
(Publication: International Reinsurance Review - 2004/05 - Euromoney Yearbooks)

An obligation to service
Richard King asks whether the current obligation to service is a sound model to brokers and suggests an alternative.
(Publication: An edited version of the above can be found in Global Reinsurance, October 2004)

The ongoing role of run-off
Mike Palmer, a director of Helix and a member of the executive committee of the Association of Run-off Companies, considers the way run-off has been increasing in the non-life sector and how the run-off industry has been expanding.
(Publication: Insurance International/Commercial Insurance - Dec 2003 / New Year 2004)

Overcoming the Problems of Run-off
Mike Palmer and Leslie-Ann Giovnilli look at the greatly increased importance of run-off and how the problems which have accompanied growth in the sector should be dealt with.
(Publication: Insurance International, Autumn 2004)

Outside options
Outsourcing run-off services is a big business - particularly in the London market. While it was once predicted that the flow of new run-offs would eventually dry-up, at present that seems far from the case.
(Publication: Run-off business, Winter 2003)

It's not just ancient history
Richard King of Helix debates the proposition that underwriters are being urged to look to the past in order to secure success in the future.
(Publication: Reinsurance - April 2004)

Time to give up on brokers?
The vexed question of broker service and the merits of broker replacement were discussed at a debate staged by Helix.
(Publication: Run-off business, Event Report, Winter 2003)

Bargaining with brokers
Do companies in run-off expect too much of brokers? And if complaints of poor service are justified, what are the alternatives? John Sanders finds there are no easy answers
(Publication: Run off business, Spring 2003)

Time to stop the broker bashing?
Mike Palmer of Helix examines the current and popular trend of "broker bashing," a phenomenon which he claims has risen in the past three years.
(Publication: JTW News, Issue 80, November 2003)

Do put your eggs in one basket
The old saying 'don't keep all your eggs in one basket' has always been a sound piece of advice. But when it comes to collecting discontinued reinsurance protection, it pays to consolidate certain assets, says Mike Palmer, director of Helix.
(Publication: Run-off business Special Supplement - Summer 2003)

Cedants are urged to shift claims from the brokers to experts
Claims always become a big issue during a hard market as both insurers and reinsurers watch every penny. The role of the broker in collecting claims has also once again come under the spotlight.
(Publication: Insurance Day, 12 November 2003)