In 1987 the firm reorganised - a holding company, Hiscox Holdings Ltd, was established for the group, which comprised the subsidiaries Hiscox Syndicates (for managing syndicates) and Roberts & Hiscox (for introducing and advising members of the Lloyd's market).[2] Expansion beyond the London market followed in 1989 with the formation of a third subsidiary, Hiscox Underwriting, specifically for this purpose.[2]
Roberts & Hiscox and related interests were demerged in 1994, leaving the company as merely an underwriter and manager of syndicates.[2] Having previously listed on the Alternative Investment Market, Hiscox plc transferred to the main market of the London Stock Exchange in July 1997.[5] Following the purchase of a 28% stake in the company by Chubb Corporation in 1998,[6] the company fought to remain independent, successfully rebuffing two takeover offers by 2001.[7] Chubb subsequently sold off its interest in Hiscox in 2004.[8]
In 2005, the company opened a Bermuda office, writing a mix of worldwide reinsurance and retail business. The following year Hiscox plc moved its country of domicile from the United Kingdom to Bermuda, adopting the new name Hiscox Ltd.[9]
For 2009, the company increased its marketing budget from £400,000 to £10 million and launched a mass media campaign with the strap line "as good as our word".[10]
In 2011, Hiscox had a catastrophe-filled year. With floods in Australia, the tsunami in Japan, and many other catastrophes the company had to pay out a lot and profits suffered.[11]
In March 2014 Hiscox acquired direct-to-consumer online operation DirectAsia[12] and in October 2014 Hiscox USA launched a new brand platform "Encourage Courage"
A great deal is now known about the development of masculine characteristics. The process of sexual differentiation specific to the reproductive system of Homo sapiens produces a female by default. The SRY gene on the Y chromosome, however, interferes with the default process, causing a chain of events that, all things being equal, leads to testes formation, androgen production and a range of both pre-natal and post-natal hormonal effects covered by the terms masculinization or virilization. Because masculinization redirects biological processes from the default female route, it is more precisely called defeminization.
There is an extensive debate about how children develop gender identities.
In many cultures displaying characteristics not typical to one's gender may become a social problem for the individual. Among men, the exhibition of feminine behavior may be considered a sign of homosexuality, while the same is for a woman who exhibits masculine behavior. Within sociology such labeling and conditioning is known as gender assumptions and is a part of socialization to better match a culture's mores. The corresponding social condemnation of excessive masculinity may be expressed in terms such as "machismo" or "testosterone poisoning."
No comments:
Post a Comment