Top 100 UK Insurers - RSA Review - Hastening reform.

(From Post Magazine)

When Andy Haste took the top job at Royal and Sun Alliance nearly three years ago, many would have been forgiven for thinking the former Axa Sun Life chief executive was inheriting a poisoned chalice.

After all, he replaced outgoing group RSA chief executive officer Robert Mendelsohn, who had hardly covered himself in glory. However, in 2005, the outlook is very different - Mr Haste has been credited by many with leading RSA out of the mire and back to the forefront of the UK general insurance market.

Many market commentators were surprised by Mr Haste's appointment, given his background in the life and banking sectors. He previously headed up the consumer loans products department of Nat West's US division and, before that, …