North P&I Club has announced a number of changes to its Senior Leadership Team as part of their ongoing succession planning and strategic development. With effect from 1 June 2019, the changes are as follows:
- Savraj Mehta has taken on the new role of Chief Commercial Officer.
- Thya Kathiravel appointed as Chief Underwriting Officer (subject to regulatory approval).
- Steve Rebair and Simon Main appointed as Deputy Global Directors (Underwriting).
- Mike Salthouse and Matt Moore playing a greater role in the day-to-day delivery of North’s P&I claims service as Deputy Global Directors (Claims) in line with North’s succession planning.
Savraj joined North in 1995, having spent twelve years at sea becoming a Master before working onshore as a Marine Superintendent and Operations Manager. His appointment to the new role of Chief Commercial Officer signals an enhanced focus and emphasis on the ongoing delivery of North’s commercial strategy.
Thya, Steve and Simon all have a wealth of knowledge and experience that has prepared them well for their new roles. Each of them is well known as an expert in their field and they are ideally placed to lead North’s Underwriting department in the years to come.
Mike and Matt have more than 50 years combined experience working in P&I and their experience and commitment will further enhance North’s claims and service levels. Their roles will cover geographic and technical team responsibilities, loss prevention and various IGP&I committees and pool claims.
In FD&D, Steven Cockburn has recently been appointed as Deputy Global Director (FD&D) to support Katherine Birchall in the management of our growing FD&D business. Steven is a solicitor with significant legal experience, having worked for Clifford Chance and Barlow, Lyde & Gilbert in London, before joining North in 2005. Steven is also actively involved with the International Group and is Chairman of the Compulsory Insurances Sub-committee (CISC).
In another notable change, former Joint Managing Director Alan Wilson retired after almost four decades with North at the end of May. When Alan joined in 1981, North insured 2.4m GT. In the 38 years since then, North’s total tonnage has increased to over 200m GT. During his time as Joint MD, Alan worked tirelessly to reinvigorate North’s financial strength whilst driving a culture of service and quality. Alan will be fondly remembered for his unrivalled attention to detail and for how much he genuinely cared for the people he worked with.
Pratap Shirke, North P&I Club’s Chairman, said, “2019 is proving to be a very significant year for North. For the first time in our history we’ve exceeded 200m GT in total entered tonnage and our 99% retention rate is a resounding endorsement of our Members’ confidence in North. These new appointments will further support delivery of our strategy and maintain the pre-eminent position of North’s Leadership Team.”
Shirke continued, “I would like to personally thank Alan Wilson for his commitment to the Club during his long and successful career. He has been a mentor to many and his influence has had an indelible impact on those who have been lucky enough to work closely with him.”
Paul Jennings, North P&I Club’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “This really is an exciting time for North. Our newly enhanced role of Chief Commercial Officer demonstrates our focus and ongoing commitment to our commercial strategy and identifying market opportunities, and in Savraj we have the best possible person to fulfil this important role and to assist in the delivery of that strategy.”
Jennings continued, “The transition of P&I claims responsibilities to Mike and Matt is testament to their skills and experience, and the changeover of the leadership team in Underwriting recognises the knowledge, skills and experience of Thya, Steve and Simon. Under their collective leadership, North’s P&I and Underwriting departments will continue to thrive in the years to come.”