Latest news with #Rugg
Cision Canada
11-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Markel launches InsurtechRisk+ product for insurtech businesses
LONDON, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced the launch of its InsurtechRisk+ product for insurtech businesses. The InsurtechRisk+ package contains four insuring clauses – insurance services and technology liability, directors and officers (D&O) liability, crime, and cyber liability and loss cover, which offer protection for UK, Europe, Australia, Asia and Canada domiciled businesses with limits up to GBP £10 million. Akin to the organisation's existing FintechRisk+ product, insureds taking out InsurtechRisk+ will have access to various value-add services, including: 24/7 business, legal and employment advice; R&D tax advisory; debt recovery support; grant and funding assistance; contract reviews and a cyber risk toolkit, which are free to use anytime during the policy. The four insuring clauses, combined with these value-add risk management services, will help insurtech businesses navigate the complex landscape of cyber threats, crime and financial liabilities. Markel's offering avoids the risk of having gaps in cover through having different policies with multiple insurers, providing a cost-effective, 'one-stop-shop' solution for clients so that they can concentrate on growing their businesses. Nick Rugg, Head of Fintech and Investment Management Insurance at Markel, commented: "The cyber risk landscape has evolved since we launched our first Insurtech policy, with the emergence of more advanced attacks from threat actors utilising AI tools/technology to infiltrate company networks, impersonate senior personnel and steal confidential data and funds." He expands: "Our newly created InsurtechRisk+ policy provides superior cover, reflecting the many cyber exposures that insurtech companies face today and our continued dedication to providing bespoke risk management and transfer solutions for our insurtech/fintech insureds, backed by an award-winning claims team. "Another key goal in launching InsurtechRisk+ is to offer best-in-class cover alongside risk management solutions that go beyond typical post-loss assistance for policyholders. We want to disrupt traditional insurance products as well as how customers view the role of the insurer as only helping clients after an incident has taken place." Rugg concludes: "I'm looking forward to rolling out this cover for our insurtech businesses, together with the value-add services that have been tailored with their needs in mind." About Markel Insurance We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Maldon Mud Race competitor loses wedding ring in the bog
A mud race competitor who lost his wedding ring in the bog has vowed to return with a metal Rugg, who was dressed as a flamingo, was left feeling red-faced after his wife spotted the band's absence on 37-year-old had been among hundreds of people racing across a 440m (1,443ft) riverbank at the Maldon Mud Race in Rugg, who completed the race in 11 minutes, said he would be grateful if anyone who spotted it got in contact, but added: "Because it's such thick mud, it's so deep in the estuary, I don't think there's much chance of finding it." Despite his feeling of "stupidity and frustration", the renewable energy worker said he "loved" the charity race and would compete again in 2026."Next year I'll have to do it with a metal detector and see if it turns up," he it happened: Live reporting from the Maldon Mud Race Mr Rugg, who lives in Maldon, thought the ring came off while he crawled in mud that was up to 20cm (7.9in) was given to him by his wife, Stephanie, at their wedding 10 years ago, but he forgot to take it off before diving into the mud."About five hours after I got home, she looked at her ring and hoped I'd taken mine off," Mr Rugg explained."I looked at my hand and realised it was gone. I just felt a sense of stupidity and frustration."The suction of the mud was so strong it could easily have come off, and with the adrenaline of it all, I just didn't feel it."Searches for a replacement ring began immediately, according to Mr Rugg, who said his wife was leading the laughed: "She doesn't like me not having a ring on my finger." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Boston Globe
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Harvard attracts new donors as funding fight with Trump administration intensifies
She settled on giving Harvard $1,500. 'They took a stand, and I wanted to support that in a stronger way than I would ever do,' Taylor, 42, said. 'I loved what the president of Harvard [said], how they explained what they were standing for. And I thought, 'Oh, thank goodness. Maybe this will build a movement.'' She isn't alone. In the days since the Trump administration put a hold on Harvard's funding and said it would seek to revoke the school's tax-exempt status – stakes that were further raised Monday when Harvard Advertisement In recent days, officials updated Harvard's website to focus on the school's research initiatives, whose benefits extend well beyond the student body. Suzanne Hilser-Wiles, a managing director at Huron Consulting Group who helps institutions of higher education with fundraising, said it is critical for universities like Harvard to stress their broader impacts – particularly for the wealthiest donors, who can move 'the needle more quickly.' Advertisement The smaller gifts given as a form of public protest have a different value. 'Having a really engaged constituency and having them be part of the support and the messaging … that's incredibly impactful,' Hilser-Wiles said. Many Harvard alumni have felt moved to give to their alma mater for the first time. 'I always thought, 'Oh, Harvard has so much money, they don't need me to give them money,'' said Linda Haverty Rugg, who earned a PhD in comparative literature from the school in 1989 and went on to spend five years as associate vice chancellor for research at the University of California at Berkeley. Rugg was one of few people from her Nebraska hometown to leave the Midwest for school. Thanks to Harvard's endowment, which paid for fellowships and teaching opportunities, she graduated debt-free. Eight of her relatives and her junior-high science teacher flew to Boston for the graduation ceremony. It bothers her when Harvard is characterized as elitist because she knows many graduates with stories like hers. Rugg views the $100 donation she made last week as a symbolic gesture, but hopes it will inspire others to do the same. 'You want to send a message to Harvard: 'Don't give up,'' she said. ''The people that you sent out into the world, we are here, you know, and we are ready to come and try to help you.' Below a Facebook post about her donation, a handful of Rugg's acquaintances – alumni and not – said they would also donate to Harvard for the first time. Roberto Diaz, who received his PhD in Spanish from the school in 1991, told the Globe he earmarked his $100 for two purposes: a Harvard research center near Florence where he and his late husband, also a Harvard graduate, visited while on vacation, and a bucket titled 'Presidential Priorities.' Advertisement Diaz said he has been impressed with the two lawyers retained by Harvard President Alan Garber. 'So if they want to take my little money and give it to the lawyers, I would be happy,' he said. Another new donor, a federal contractor whose business has been hurt by the Trump administration's cuts, said the president's interest in Harvard's academic policies is 'ironic' considering his work to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. 'He did away with that, but now he wants to dictate how education is run in the country,' said the worker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to his position. 'I honestly am totally against that.' While Harvard's fundraising surged in 2021 and 2022, it has dipped since, and the federal funding freeze marks the latest in a string of financial hits. According to Harvard's 2024 financial report, total gifts have decreased by nearly a quarter-billion dollars since 2022, with a 15% drop from 2023 to 2024. In early 2024, hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, a Harvard grad who's donated more than $500 million dollars to the school, said he was pausing his support amid concerns over Harvard's handling of antisemitism on campus. Griffin declined to comment when asked by the Globe if his position has changed in light of the federal funding freeze. The Wall Street Journal reported that university officials have been connecting with other major donors in recent days, including businessman and politician Michael Bloomberg, investor David Rubenstein and hedge fund manager John Paulson. The three all declined to comment to the Globe. Advertisement Della Heiman, a Miami-based Jewish entrepreneur who graduated from Harvard Business School in 2014, said she admired the university's fortitude as they resisted Trump's demands, which the president attributed to the school's mishandling of antisemitism during protests and in classrooms. The granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, Heiman has been critical of the university's response to antisemitism, but she said she believes the institution has made meaningful strides in protecting Jewish students. She views the Trump administration's financial pressure as a power grab that has 'nothing to do with the welfare of the Jewish people' and threatens the independence of a place where students can debate without feeling unsafe. 'My hope is that what comes out of this for all universities is being able to foster nuanced conversation, tolerance, openness, and curiosity, because I fear that we are losing all those concepts with this society, and it's quite terrifying,' she said The Trump administration's tactics are being felt far beyond Boston. Laura McGarry, managing principal at Graham-Pelton, a nonprofit consulting firm, said higher education clients whose funding has yet to be impacted are seeking guidance on how to engage with donors. Her main advice: stay the course and keep your mission at the forefront. Engaging with donors, even those giving small amounts, can build a more robust base for the future. 'We've captured the attention and the inspiration of these people,' she said. 'How do you grow that and sustain that?' Advertisement Tricia Nadolny can be reached at
