BGC Partners, Inc.("BGC Partners", "BGC", or "the Company"), a leading global brokerage company servicing the financial and real estate markets, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Besso Insurance Group Limited ("Besso"), an independent Lloyd's of London insurance broker with a strong reputation across Property, Casualty, Marine, Aviation, Professional and Financial Risks and Reinsurance.

Shaun D. Lynn, President of BGC Partners, commented on today's announcement: "We are excited about this strategic acquisition in the insurance brokerage sector. After extensively researching the insurance brokerage industry, Besso stood out as providing an excellent platform on which to establish a new vertical. Over time, we expect to build a sizable insurance brokerage division within the Company". 

Besso generated revenue of approximately £44 million in the financial year ended December 31, 2016. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive upon closing.

Through its previous acquisition of U.S. Real Estate Services business, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, BGC Partners has demonstrated a proven track record of successfully building new brokerage verticals. Since 2011, BGC has increased the revenue run-rate of its Real Estate Services business by more than five times to over $1 billion annually.

"I am delighted that Besso is joining BGC Partners, a large and well capitalised company with a global footprint and demonstrable success in building brokerage businesses", said Colin Bird, Chairman and CEO, Besso Insurance Group. "The opportunities this deal presents are substantial. BGC and its affiliates have deep relationships with leading companies in real estate, financial services, and other industries, which we believe will help us grow our franchise".

Upon the close of the transaction, Mr. Bird will continue as Chairman of Besso Insurance Group Limited. Robert Dowman and Russell Nichols will become joint CEOs, each reporting to Mr. Lynn. Until insurance brokerage becomes a larger part of BGC's business, it is expected to be recorded as part of "Equities, insurance, and other asset classes" brokerage revenues within the Financial Services segment. Details of the transaction were not disclosed, and completion of the transaction is subject to legal and regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions.

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, is launching a leading edge LTE Cat. M1​ wireless module for IoT solutions​. The new Cinterion® LTE Cat. M1 solution takes network efficiency and simplicity to new heights, delivering LTE for Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) and improved power savings that enables battery life of 10+ years, for some use cases. The new module is ideal for use cases not dependent on speed, but rather requires network longevity and improved indoor coverage such as asset trackers, healthcare solutions, smart meters and industrial sensors.

The new wireless module is the first IoT solution based on a dedicated LTE Cat. M1 chipset. The low-power, wide-area (LPWA) module offers extended coverage, including improved in-building and in-ground penetration. The solution operates on the highly efficient LTE spectrum and is capable of supporting more than 10 frequency bands from a single hardware device. This eliminates the need for multiple variants providing simplified global deployment and a fast time to market. In the future, the new module will be able to run LTE NB-IoT protocols on the same hardware, giving customers a future-proof path to the latest network standards. Sharing the same footprint as existing Cinterion products, the LTE Cat. M1 solution enables easy migration from 2G and 3G devices. Development samples are available immediately before debuting on the Verizon 4G LTE Cat M1 network in early 2017, which is scheduled to achieve nationwide US coverage by the end of Q1 2017.

"Supported by all major mobile equipment, chipset and module manufacturers, LTE-M1 provides an important path forward as we move toward a universal standard for IoT communication," said Johan Fagerberg, CEO of Berg Insight. "LTE-M networks co-exist with 2G, 3G and traditional 4G networks, allowing easy evolution while ensuring the same security and privacy expected from GSM and cellular technologies."

"The LTE market for IoT is vast and requires connectivity solutions for a range of devices, from low-power, low-bandwidth applications addressed by LTE-Cat M1, to higher performance, wider bandwidth use cases best addressed by LTE Cat 1 or Cat 3," said Chris Schmidt, Executive Director Device Technology at Verizon. "We are pleased that Gemalto continues to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions to meet the evolving needs of Verizon's LTE customers by developing a Cat-M1 module for use in a variety of IoT verticals, including smart grid, agriculture, fleet, asset tracking, and smart city applications."

 ​"Gemalto's LTE-M1, LTE Cat. 1 and VoLTE Cat. 1 solutions ensure that highly efficient 4G connectivity is available for every type of IoT application," said Andreas Haegele, Senior Vice President M2M at Gemalto. "With steady double-digit IoT growth expected in the coming years, Gemalto is committed to delivering cutting edge products that connect, secure and monetize the expanding IoT."​

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, is supplying AT&T with a remote subscription management solution that will help enable its customers to deploy new and highly secure IoT applications in the U.S. and globally.

Gemalto's LinqUS On-Demand Connectivity (ODC) subscription management solution and GSMA M2M 3.1 compliant Embedded SIMs (eSIMs) will simplify the logistics of providing mobile services for Enterprises requiring global mobile connectivity for IoT applications and provide improved life cycle support for their subscriptions.

Gartner, the information technology research firm, reports the IoT ecosystem is growing massively, with 6.4 billion objects to be connected in 2016 and 20.8 billion connected by 2020. Gemalto's GSMA-compliant ODC and eSIM solutions are key enablers for global mobile operators, service providers, and OEMs to accelerate new device onboarding and service rollouts while reducing costs, increasing revenue and security for businesses adopting IoT solutions.

"AT&T is an industry leader in the Internet of Things with more than 30 million connected devices on our network as of the third quarter of 2016.  At the same time we are expanding our offering of connected services to include automotive telematics, infotainment, and smart safety solutions," said Chris Penrose, President, Internet of Things Solutions, AT&T. "Gemalto's On-Demand Connectivity and eSIM platform are ideal solutions to help AT&T sustain dynamic growth as we shift from mobile operator to mobility service provider."

"Industrial, home automation, and automotive applications are significant drivers for IoT growth," said Rodrigo Serna, President, Gemalto Americas. "Today, Gemalto has deployed more than 20 On-Demand Connectivity solutions, and has executed at least 300 over-the-air (OTA) deployments around the globe. We also have the largest portfolio of M2M and ​IoT ​solutions and services. Now operators can provide more IoT services and scale them more quickly with this new platform, which is part of our network of hundreds more around the world."​

Chase de Vere, the national firm of independent financial advisers, is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with Intelliflo, as it invests in technology solutions to upgrade its back, middle and front office systems. The project is being led by Bob Kelly, Chase de Vere’s Director of IT.

The Company has spent over 12 months researching the market and analysing the various options in great detail, taking on board valuable feedback from employees and external experts. As a result of this, the decision has been made to use Intelliflo’s Intelligent Office system.

Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Chase de Vere, says:

“This is a hugely important initiative for Chase de Vere, which is why we have taken the time and effort to find the ideal partner to work with. I believe that Intelliflo is that partner.

“Working with Intelliflo and upgrading our Company’s technology systems will allow us to improve efficiencies for our advisers and support staff, which will help us to provide an even better service for our clients.

“Our aim is to be the leading firm of independent financial advisers in the UK. This investment in our business is another significant step towards achieving that goal.”

Nick Eatock, Intelliflo’s Executive Chairman, says:

“The fact Chase de Vere has selected iO as its operating system is testament to the strength and breadth of the package. Its functionality is a major draw, as is its track record in driving business efficiencies. It’s also designed to provide forward-looking advice firms with the sophisticated digital services that their clients are increasingly demanding.”

Associated Banc-Corp today announced changes involving its executive committee. James (Jim) Payne, currently Associated's executive vice president and deputy chief information and operations officer, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief information and operations officer effective January 1, 2017.

Payne joined Associated in 2015 as executive vice president and chief technology officer. He has more than 30 years' of operations and technology experience, including 18 years within the financial services industry. "Jim's vast knowledge in the operations and technology field will continue to enhance and move the company forward," said Philip B. Flynn, president and CEO, Associated Bank. "He will be instrumental in continuing to manage the increasing complexities of our business."