The
London Forum of Insurance Lawyers (London FOIL) has announced that it has
expanded its national executive committee with the appointments of Ian Plumley,
partner at Clyde & Co (pictured), and Toby Vallance, partner at DAC Beachcroft. This
expansion comes as the organisation has ambitious targets of helping navigate
the London insurance market through a cultural shift and new climate-related
challenges.
The
number of people on the executive committee now rises from three to five. Both
lawyers bring insurance litigation experience in a number of areas and
jurisdictions: Plumley specialises in complex international coverage, defence
and subrogation disputes, whereas Vallance specialises in marine and energy
work. Both bring a unique set of skills to benefit London FOIL’s leadership
team.
London
FOIL was launched two years ago in October 2018 with the aim of helping the
London market on the unique issues and challenges it faces. These appointments
are a natural progression in the growth and development of the group since its
inception.
Two
key issues for the London market, which London FOIL is keenly focused on, are
climate change and the rapidly changing cultures and values within the
insurance industry. Many large businesses and lenders now refuse to partner
with, or invest in, businesses that don’t exhibit appropriate and
well-considered climate change polices, and the same applies to businesses with
archaic cultures. In addition to this, City businesses are exposed to a litany
of new risks around non-compliance on these issues. This is leading to changes
to insurance policies as businesses seek to better protect themselves.
FOIL
chief executive Laurence Besemer said: ‘Ian and Toby both bring a great deal of
experience to our leadership team, and will be great assets to London FOIL as
it seeks to achieve its aims. The expansion comes at somewhat of an inflection
point for the London market—a time when many clients need complex advice from
lawyers on a range of unprecedented issues.
‘By
facilitating training and events, spearheading campaigns and leading
best-practice discussion, London FOIL’s goal is to help businesses and their
advisers speed up that rate of change. These leadership appointments will help
us to do just that.’
Ingrid Hobbs, president of London FOIL, said: ‘At a time when climate change and
company culture have really come to the fore, financial businesses like
insurance companies and pensions firms will benefit greatly from advice and
guidance. They have a huge influence on the market and a critical role to play
in effecting change.’
