Private medical group Bupa hailed an “encouraging” improvement in its UK arm after action to slash costs and lower medical fees helped more than double half-year profits.

Impresario Grace O’Leary’s working life, to date, has been spent around the theatres of north-west England.

If you haven’t heard him over the last few weeks, you’ve surely heard of him.

THE future of over 330 jobs at the country’s second-biggest health insurance firm has been secured following a senior management-led buyout.

Health insurer Quinn Healthcare has been sold following a bid by senior management with Swiss Re as underwriter, it was announced today.

Insurance tycoon Clive Cowdery, whose recent acquisitions have included Friends Provident and parts of Axa UK, has failed with an attempt to land the UK’s biggest owner of “zombie” insurance funds.

The finance boss who helped steer Lloyds Banking Group through the aftermath of its HBOS acquisition in 2008 announced plans to quit the firm today.

Insurance tycoon Clive Cowdery has emerged as a surprise bidder for the 632 bank branches being sold by the UK's Lloyds Banking Group, it was reported today.

London: Firms are losing millions of euro in productivity because of the effect of staff having to work through their lunchbreak, a report warned.

AXA, Alliance, Aviva or even BUPA could be interested in buying VHI in what could easily turn into a bidding war for the national insurer, put up for sale two days ago by the Irish state.

Sean Quinn is going to be miredin the economic mess for some time to come, writes Caroline O’Doherty

MATT Cooper’ column on Seán Quinn (January 15) was scurrilous, disgusting, insulting and not properly researched.

An internet services company has announced plans to create 33 jobs as part of an expansion of its operation in Co Cork.

IRELAND’S second largest insurance company has issued a blanket ban on car cover for thousands of drivers simply because they are living in areas with a reputation for crime.

Private healthcare giant Bupa plans to create 800 jobs, the firm said today.

Private healthcare insurer Bupa today revealed a 53% plunge in annual profits after taking a hit on the value of investments and acquisitions.

TWO fundamental factors allow any business to survive: profits and capital. Throughout the year, faced with a drop in revenue, businesses have responded by battening down the hatches.

AGE ACTION has called for moves to safeguard the principle of community rating in health insurance after reports that older customers could see the cost of their premiums triple without it.

HEALTH insurer Bupa said its profits have been dented by its exit from the Irish market.

CUSTOMERS are uncertain how health insurance premiums will be charged after a landmark court ruling quashed the legal basis for calculating fees.

Chronically ill and older patients could suffer after private health insurer Bupa was told it does not have to compensate State competitor VHI, it was claimed today.

The VHI says it is very disappointed with today's Supreme Court decision to strike down the risk equalisation scheme.

THE Supreme Court will give judgement today on the appeal by BUPA against the High Court’s rejection of its challenge to the risk equalisation scheme (RES).

THE newest entry to the health insurance market claims an average family can save more than €400 a year by switching from VHI.

HEALTH insurance company BUPA yesterday announced record profits of €558.91 million for 2007 after selling its Irish interests last year.

Private healthcare insurer BUPA today said profits were likely to be lower this year as a result of recent deals and its exit from Ireland.

THE controversial risk equalisation scheme in Ireland — whereby elderly and ill people insured by the largely State- owned VHI are shielded from higher health insurance premiums — has been approved by the European Court of Justice.

The European Court has dismissed a case taken by the British health insurer BUPA against the risk equalisation scheme in Ireland.

VIVAS Health has expressed disappointment at the decision byt the European Court of First Instance to dismiss Bupa's challenge of risk equalisation in Ireland.

The EU today issued a statement that the European Commission acted within its powers in facilitating the introduction of Risk Equalisation in Ireland.

A EUROPEAN Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling this morning could have significant implications for the private health insurance market in Ireland.

The European Commission today threatened to take legal action against the Government for continuing to give State health insurer VHI special status.

Northern Rock announced the departure of chairman Matt Ridley today and said the “time was right” to accept his resignation.

Private healthcare giant BUPA today banked a 47% jump in profits after customer numbers grew amid buoyant economic conditions earlier this year.

THE combined profits of insurance companies in Ireland declined by 10% to just under €720 million last year.

IN an article headlined ‘For minor accidents, go to Baghdad’ (County, August 14), Peter Levy presented a very biased view of what has happened in the private health insurance market over the last 10 years and shows little understanding of community rating.

HALF-YEAR profits at insurer Quinn Direct rose by just over 8% to €133 million.

British healthcare giant Bupa agreed to sell its hospitals business today in a private equity deal worth £1.44bn (€2.13bn).

ST JAMES’ Hospital, named as one of the worst offenders failing to collect revenue owed by privately-insured patients, last night said it hoped to collect the money this year.

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has been paying for the use of cancer facilities at the private Beacon Hospital in south Dublin after a key piece of equipment at a public hospital in the capital broke down.

DURING the witch-hunt to drive Bupa from our shores, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, came on national television to declare that Bupa showed no interest in providing health insurance cover for the elderly or half-crocks (as he described himself).

THE Government yesterday defended its decision to rush regulations through the Dáil even though it may lead to higher insurance premiums.

IRELAND’S shambolic health service looks set to deteriorate further following the Government’s 20% cut in financial payments by independent health insurance companies to Vhi Healthcare, the State-owned group.