Chaucer appoints Mike Smith to head up new Marine Specialty division

Chaucer, the leading global specialty (re)insurance group has appointed Mike Smith, formerly Director at Willis Towers Watson, to head up its new Marine Specialty division.

Mike has over 35 years’ experience working within the marine insurance industry, focusing on all aspects of marine cargo and freight liability insurance from both a broking and claims management perspective, most recently with responsibility for servicing a portfolio of global cargo accounts at Willis.

The appointment comes as the Marine insurance lines at Chaucer are set to be repositioned to support product development and technology driven sector innovation, enhanced service, and future growth in targeted segments. The following changes will come into effective in January 2022;

• ‘Marine Global’, will be led by Phil Graham, the incumbent Head of Marine at Chaucer, and incorporates the London and International market lines of Cargo, Specie, Hull, War and Liability, and the Ports and Terminals portfolio.
• ‘Marine Specialty’ will be led by Mike Smith and will include Marine PI and Transport Logistics, the Freight Forwarder business in London and Lonham, Chaucer’s specialty cargo, freight and logistics liability insurer based in Ipswich where he will be working closely with Mike Ayres and the underwriting team.

Nicola Stacey, Chief Underwriting Officer at Chaucer says: “We’re delighted to welcome Mike to Chaucer. His depth of expertise in Marine Insurance will be invaluable as the team undergoes changes to better position us for future growth.”

“Mike’s reputation for driving client service and leading a motivated team to achieve success will make him a real asset to the firm.”

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