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North East shipping insurer North P&I grows workforce in lockdown

Shipping insurance specialist North P&I Club has expanded its team during the coronavirus pandemic with number of new hires and senior promotions.

The Newcastle based business, which operates across the world, has taken on 18 people since lockdown started in March, as part of a move to strengthen and diversify the business.

A series of senior promotions have also been made as part of a move to support North’s expanded services.

A trio of North employees with extensive shipping experience – Allistair Ridgley, Sam Nicholls and Stephen Sayer – have been appointed to the roles of deputy director (Claims), each with their own areas of focus.

Mr Ridgley will work in North’s Asia team specialising in admiralty claims – part of North’s insurance services that deals with collision incidents. Ms Nicholls will also work within the Asia team, focusing on North’s members in the Middle East and India, while Mr Sayer will work within North’s Europe team, specialising in admiralty claims.

Meanwhile, James Connell has been appointed as an underwriter in the shipping insurer’s new North Hull division – a fixed premium product targeted at ocean-going vessels that launched earlier this month. Mr Connell, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, joins Alex Fuller and James Sutton who have already been appointed to the team.

Paul Jennings, chief executive of North, said: “Our expert team is the greatest asset we have in helping to protect our members.

“We’re extremely pleased to be strengthening that team with a series of first class new hires and promotions across our service lines.

“This year is uniquely challenging for shipping operates who face the impacts of COVID-19 and our own expansion will make sure we can deliver high quality cover, support and advice to this critical industry.”

Last month the Newcastle Quayside-based business announced it had insured an additional 20m tonnes of international ocean-going vessels – referred to in the industry as “tonnage” – bringing the total to 160m gross tonnes.

Premium income for the 2019/20 year increase by £1.6m to £281m and the firm also announced plans to diversify its business to offer shipping customers a broader range of insurance products, including the launch of North Hull which offers new products for ocean-going vessels.
Source: Business Line

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