Business | Reuters.co.in

Business | Reuters.co.in: "LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Alpha Airports Group said on Tuesday its long-running contract to provide in-flight catering to UK charter airline Thomsonfly would not be renewed.
Shares in Alpha, which provides retailing and catering to airlines in 15 countries, fell 12.2 percent to 75-1/2 pence on the news at 0736 GMT.
Alpha said the contract, which contributes 4 million pounds ($7.1 million) a year, would end in April 2006. Alpha had provided catering to Thomsonfly, formerly Britannia Airways Ltd, for 30 years.
'We will continue to pursue other opportunities to offset this loss and we will review our UK cost structure to minimise the future impact on profit,' Alpha Chief Executive Kevin Abbott said in a statement.
British Airways signed a new contract with Gate Gourmet last week following the end of a staff dispute at the caterer, which disrupted meal services and grounded flights in August when workers went on strike, triggering a sympathy strike by BA workers at Heathrow."

Alpha - Contract loss

It is with great regret we confirm that Alpha has not been successful in securing a deal with Britannia to operate flight catering and bonded stores throughout the UK. Britannia have appointed LSG as UK sole supplier with effect from the end of April 2006.

This decision, made by our second largest UK airline customer, is very sad news for everyone in Alpha Flight Services (UK) some of whom have been involved with Britannia over the last thirty years.

Their action has been taken primarily based on price. The hard work, quality service and commitment of all our staff over the last thirty years continues to be recognised and valued by both Alpha and our customer. We know you will continue to deliver these high levels of service and commitment right up to our handover date.

The Alpha Flight Services (UK) senior team are currently finalising transition programmes and we will advise everyone further as soon as we can. In addition, Alpha continues to tender aggressively for additional business both in the UK and overseas to offset the loss of Britannia revenue.

Please be assured that we will do everything we can to minimise the impact of this decision. We look forward to your continued support and we will keep you fully informed re. further developments.

Post Magazine

Post Magazine: "Allianz Cornhill ties up exclusive Willis deal
Allianz Cornhill Commercial has been appointed preferred carrier of accident and health insurance for Willis Commercial Network.
The business will be traded from four Allianz Cornhill branches, aligning with Willis Network�s own hubs � Milton Keynes, Southampton, Leeds and Glasgow.
Colin Toppin, Allianz Cornhill accident and health manager, said: �We have made no secret of our desire to grow Allianz Cornhill�s accident and health business, and this agreement will enable us to do so, whilst further reinforcing Allianz Cornhill�s partnership with the Willis Commercial Network.
�Our research has shown that there is huge untapped potential within the Network where Members can generate considerable income through accident and health products.�
Allianz Cornhill will offer Network Members an exclusive accident and health policy wording, in addition to access to a �cut down� product which will allow more efficient sales and processing by the broker. "

Finsure - Fully integrated EDI premium finance in conjunction with Misys

Finsure has partnered with
Misys to develop its first fully
integrated EDI personal lines
premium finance solution.
The software, which is
currently in a pilot phase,
will enable brokers
to arrange premium
finance electronically
at point of sale.
Customer bank details are sent electronically to Finsure
and payments returned via an EDI message, which
automatically updates the Misys system.
Nick Elliman, Head of Business Development, Finsure,
said: “We have always been keen to work with Misys as they
were the first software house to offer a completely integrated
solution. It is the integration between our system and the
brokers’ day-to-day system that delivers real cost savings,
as there is no re-key or manual reconciliation.
At Finsure we are intent on growing our personal lines book of
business. As Misys brokers already form a substantial
proportion of our customer base and control significant
volumes of GWP, we see the new partnership helping to
achieve this.We also plan to continue to enhance our personal
lines product. Our recent initiative, in which we halved our loan
advance period to help brokers to meet the new FSA cash
management requirements, is evidence of this.”
James Gamble, Sales & Marketing Director, Misys General
Insurance, said: “The partnership with Finsure gives brokers
access to yet more providers and enhances the overall product
portfolio.They are an established player in the market and
have the financial strength and stability of The Royal Bank
of Scotland Group behind them.Their ownership by insurer
NIG means that they understand the broker market and this
is reflected in their service delivery.
Brokers are increasingly aware that the automation of premium
finance helps enhance a significant revenue stream.When you
consider the time that can be spent manually processing
premium finance cases, the cost savings are substantial. Some
brokers have estimated saving as much as £40,000 per annum.”