What’s new: In brief (April 27, 2005)

The Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) has added two new tools to its Quality Improvement Process (QIP). These include the “claims service provider and risk manager partnership tool” and the “safety and loss control service provider and risk manager partnership tool”. The QIP includes guidelines for performance expectations and learning resources, including a practical tool set which has actual and sample performance metrics. For more information or to download the QIP tools for free, visit www.rims.org/quality.

Broker Willis Group says its board has approved a US$300 million stock buy back plan. The plan is open-ended, allowing Willis to purchase its common stock from time to time in the open market or in negotiated trades. The company had originally planned a US$500 million share buy back, but that has been scrapped in favor of the US$300 million plan.

The Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region (IBTR) says tickets are selling fast for its annual “Friendship Night”. The event is set for Thursday, May 5 at Spirale Banquet and Convention Center in Toronto. For more information, contact Andrea Raspa at 905-893-7257 or visit www.ibtr.org.