Zurich

Zurich UK has delayed the launch of its retail platform until early next year.

Half of insurers are now offering some form of HIV Life Assurance, up from 35% last year, according to medical financial advisers Unusual Risks.

Zurich has urged advisers to be prepared for the impact of gender neutrality on their clients and business.

Zurich UK Life has recruited 20 staff from rival platforms as it prepares to launch its retail platform later this year.

With many legislative changes in the works, the group risk market is hesitant at present. Owain Thomas examines the bigger picture of what is to come for group income protection.

Zurich has pledged its new platform will focus solely on the intermediary sector and will not target adviser clients like other "predatory" players entering the B2C space.

Openwork has announced it will launch its own wrap platform powered by Investment Funds Direct Limited (IFDL).

New Openwork chief executive Mary-Anne McIntyre said the network will break its exclusive platform tie-up with Zurich UK Life as she expects the needs of clients within its diverse adviser base to draw special attention from the FSA.

Following a dive in its share value, Aviva could be exposed to a takeover bid from rival insurer Zurich, reports suggest.

More than 1,000 advisers are now writing protection business through Sesame Bankhall Group's panel following its launch last November, the network has announced.