Latest news with #LanPham
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
National Direction Changes Mark Dark Day For People And Planet
Press Release – Green Party The Government has really shown their cards today. It could not be clearer that they are hellbent on pushing our natural environment to the brink, exploiting everything they can for any profit that can be squeezed out of it. Today's sweeping changes to environmental protections paints a damning picture of a government hellbent on profit at all costs, openly allowing more environmentally harmful activities under the guise of progress. 'Today is a dark day for rivers, lakes, streams, beaches, forests and all who enjoy and rely on these taonga across Aotearoa,' says the Green Party's Environment Spokesperson, Lan Pham. 'Taking freshwater as one example, 'Te Mana o Te Wai' offered us a clear legal framework that prioritised the health of our waterways and the health of our communities above corporate greed. 'Instead, the actions of this Government will go down in history as the most anti-environment we have ever seen. Councils and communities could be stripped of their ability to control the harmful impacts of industries like forestry, intensive farming, and mining. 'Further, the Government is making changes to enable more mining on wetlands, significant natural areas, and in places where our most precious indigenous biodiversity is. 'The Government has really shown their cards today. It could not be clearer that they are hellbent on pushing our natural environment to the brink, exploiting everything they can for any profit that can be squeezed out of it. 'If this feels like this is straight out of a deliberate playbook, it's because it is. The language of 're-balancing', 'efficiency', 'cutting red tape', and 'enabling industry' is often used, but what's really happening here is a systematic and comprehensive erosion of environmental protections. 'Truly prosperous economic activity is only possible if our planet is also thriving. We depend on healthy nature and a stable climate for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the materials for life,' says Lan Pham.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
National Direction Changes Mark Dark Day For People And Planet
Today's sweeping changes to environmental protections paints a damning picture of a government hellbent on profit at all costs, openly allowing more environmentally harmful activities under the guise of progress. 'Today is a dark day for rivers, lakes, streams, beaches, forests and all who enjoy and rely on these taonga across Aotearoa,' says the Green Party's Environment Spokesperson, Lan Pham. 'Taking freshwater as one example, 'Te Mana o Te Wai' offered us a clear legal framework that prioritised the health of our waterways and the health of our communities above corporate greed. 'Instead, the actions of this Government will go down in history as the most anti-environment we have ever seen. Councils and communities could be stripped of their ability to control the harmful impacts of industries like forestry, intensive farming, and mining. 'Further, the Government is making changes to enable more mining on wetlands, significant natural areas, and in places where our most precious indigenous biodiversity is. 'The Government has really shown their cards today. It could not be clearer that they are hellbent on pushing our natural environment to the brink, exploiting everything they can for any profit that can be squeezed out of it. 'If this feels like this is straight out of a deliberate playbook, it's because it is. The language of 're-balancing', 'efficiency', 'cutting red tape', and 'enabling industry' is often used, but what's really happening here is a systematic and comprehensive erosion of environmental protections. 'Truly prosperous economic activity is only possible if our planet is also thriving. We depend on healthy nature and a stable climate for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the materials for life,' says Lan Pham.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Markel rolls out FI solutions in Australia
Markel Insurance, the insurance operations arm of Markel Group, has launched financial institutions (FI) solutions in Australia, with 'localised wordings' to serve organisations in the sector. The launch follows the company's introduction of commercial professional indemnity solutions in 2024, as part of its strategy to offer specialty insurance products in the Australian market. The company has made available a primary investment managers insurance policy for Australian clients, with plans to unveil three additional primary wordings in July 2025. These will cover directors and officers, professional indemnity and crime for financial institutions. The FI solutions are aimed at serving a variety of entities in the financial sector, including both private and listed institutions. The target market encompasses banks, credit unions, fintech companies, investment firms, mutual funds, non-bank lenders, private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, superannuation funds and venture capital funds. Professional and financial risks senior underwriter Lan Pham will lead the new FI solutions team from Melbourne. Senior underwriter Daisy Galvin has relocated to Sydney from Markel's London office to join the Australian team. With the establishment of specialist underwriters and claims handlers in Australia, Markel aims to provide local underwriting and claims services in the region. Markel Australia managing director Rory Morison said: "The launch of these localised FI solutions follows last year's focus on Commercial Professional Indemnity and marks the next part of our journey since entering the Australian market in 2023. "We see a genuine need for more locally empowered underwriters in Australia, and we are excited to have Daisy join us from our London office to bolster our expertise in the FI space. We are very excited to bring these products to market, which combine the best of what Markel offers globally with our local IP [intellectual property] and expertise." Earlier in the month, Markel introduced a specialist cyber insurance product covering indirect losses from acts of war. "Markel rolls out FI solutions in Australia " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Unique Aberdeen boutique is celebration of skilled Vietnamese craftswomen
When Lan Pham and her family swapped the sunshine of Rio for Aberdeen – her husband's engineering job bringing them to the north-east – she wasn't quite prepared for the 4pm sunsets. 'It was barely afternoon and already dark,' she says, laughing. 'I told my friends I wasn't living in Aberdeen, I was living in Aberdark.' Eight years later, the city has grown on her. In fact, she now calls it Aberdream. And through her boutique on Rosemount Place, she's helping to bring a little more colour and meaning to the high street. Lan's shop, M Boutique is calm, plant-filled and full of beautifully made things. It offers linen clothing, handmade ceramics, quilted bedding, delicate paper mobiles, and embroidered gifts, all handmade in Vietnam. Every item is created by skilled craftspeople in rural Vietnamese villages, many of whom are women with few other job opportunities. Lan makes sure they're paid fairly and treated with dignity. Then, she gives away every penny of profit. 'It's a win-win,' she says. 'The women back home have work and pride, and people here get something special – and meaningful – at a good price. And the money goes straight to help others.' One of the main projects Lan supports is Mai Tam House, an orphanage in Vietnam that looks after children, many of whom are living with HIV. The centre is run by priests and provides not only shelter and food, but also education, healthcare and care from people who treat the children like family. 'These kids have no one,' Lan says quietly. 'Some were abandoned. Some lost their parents. The priests there are doing good work, and I'm proud the shop can help.' She also volunteers at her local church in Aberdeen and quietly supports people here too. For Lan, the boutique is about much more than running a business. 'I don't pay myself from the shop. I don't need to,' she says. 'I just want to do something meaningful with my life. I want my children to see that and to know it's not just about what you have, but what you give.' Her two children now attend school in Aberdeen, and she says they've adapted well. Born in a small village in Vietnam without electricity or running water, Lan knows what it means to struggle. Her family lost everything after the war, and several relatives were imprisoned. But she also knows how far determination – and kindness – can go. 'I've been very lucky,' she says. 'I've lived in different countries, met good people. Now I want to use that to help others.' The shop's calm atmosphere and Lan's friendly nature have made it a local favourite. Many customers come just for a chat, or a moment of peace. 'Sometimes someone walks in and says 'I didn't need anything, but your shop made me feel better'. That means a lot,' she says. 'Everyone can give something. Time, encouragement, a kind word. That's what I want this shop to be – not just a place to buy things, but a place that makes people feel better.' With plans to open a second boutique in Edinburgh's Stockbridge and the dream of launching a UK-based M Foundation, Lan says Rosemount is just the start.
Cision Canada
27-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Markel launches solutions for Financial Institutions in Australia
MELBOURNE, Australia, May 27, 2025 /CNW/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced it has launched Financial Institutions (FI) solutions in Australia, with localised wordings to service a broad range of organisations in the sector. This announcement follows the launch of localised Commercial Professional Indemnity solutions in 2024, under Markel's plan to progressively launch targeted and tailored specialty insurance products in the Australian market. Markel now has a primary Investment Managers Insurance policy available to Australian customers, with three additional primary wordings to be released in July 2025: Financial Institutions – Directors and Officers Financial Institutions – Professional Indemnity Financial Institutions – Crime These solutions are designed for private and listed local FIs, including private equity funds, mutual funds, venture capital funds, non-bank commercial and consumer lenders, credit unions, real estate investment trusts (REITs), superannuation funds, banks, investment companies, FinTech companies, and more. Leading the new FI solutions team will be Senior Underwriter in Professional and Financial Risks, Lan Pham, based in Melbourne, and Senior Underwriter Daisy Galvin, who has transferred to Sydney from Markel's London office. With specialist underwriters and dedicated claims handlers now onshore, Markel can provide local underwriting expertise, breadth of cover and professional claims service in Australia. Kym Beazleigh, Head of Professional and Financial Risks Australia at Markel, said, "We have seen growing demand across Australia for financial lines, particularly for financial institutions. This has been driven in part by the growth of the digital economy alongside traditional industries, increased scrutiny on director liability, and a spate of high-profile cyber breaches. "By nature, financial organisations face many threats in a highly regulated and complex industry. Financial institutions must protect their assets from risks such as climate and ESG disclosure, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory or legislative changes. If they're inadequately managed, they can cause significant damage to an institution and their clients' financial portfolios. We understand these risks and provide dynamic insurance solutions to fulfil the unique needs of the financial sector." Rory Morison, Managing Director of Australia at Markel, said, "The launch of these localised FI solutions follows last year's focus on Commercial Professional Indemnity and marks the next part of our journey since entering the Australian market in 2023. "We see a genuine need for more locally empowered underwriters in Australia, and we're excited to have Daisy join us from our London office to bolster our expertise in the FI space. We're very excited to bring these products to market, which combine the best of what Markel offers globally with our local IP and expertise." 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.
