This week, there were a wide range of trend publications. Beazley Breach Insights reported that ransomware attacks quadrupled in 2016.

Life insurer Zurich is set to cut 240 jobs in the UK as part of its ongoing business restructure.

British insurance giant Aviva has agreed to sell two thirds of its Hong Kong life business to Chinese tech firm Tencent and private equity firm Hillhouse Capital in a deal that will see the unit transform into a digital insurer.

The recent appearance of Bank of England governor Mark Carney before the Treasury Select Committee cast some long shadows over the value of economic forecasts, even those from central banks.

Last week, the International Monetary Fund held a briefing in Washington to update its World Economic Outlook.

This week will likely be remembered for the UK Prime Minister's Brexit "clarity" speech, a range of comments at Davos, and President Trump's protectionist "America First" inaugural address.