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Alan Wilson News

19 Jan 2019

Government Shutdown: Atlantic Seismic Permitting Blocked by Judge

© DedMityay/AdobeStock

A federal court judge on Friday ruled that the federal government cannot process seismic testing permits for offshore oil drilling during the ongoing government shutdown, dealing a blow Trump administration's energy agenda.Judge Richard Gergel of the U.S. District Court in South Carolina issued the decision in response to a motion filed by a range of conservation and business groups and coastal cities opposed to the adminstration's efforts to expand U.S. offshore drilling.The…

15 Aug 2017

North P&I Club Appoints Dawn Robinson as Global Director

North P&I Club has appointed a new Global Director of People as part of a company-wide focus on driving forward leadership and development. Dawn Robinson has joined the global marine insurer following three years in a world-wide role at Nomad Digital and previous appointments with Sage PLC as well as Finland based Outotec. Dawn brings with her a wealth of experience in change management, leadership and development, operations and employee relations. Working with the senior operations team, Dawn will initially focus on delivering a leadership and development programme for North’s 370 staff over the next 18 months, 255 of which are based at North’s headquarters on Newcastle Quayside.

26 May 2016

North P&I Club Repots Positive Financial Performance

North P&I Club reports that an exceptionally low year for claims has helped it increase its free reserves by $90 million to $428 million and deliver a combined ratio of 73.3 percent in the financial year ended February 20, 2016. This brings the combined ratio average of the past five years down to 95.7 percent, amongst the best in the International Group. The Directors approved North’s 2015/16 financial statements at their meeting on May 18, 2016. Commenting on the results, Chairman Pratap Shirke said, “This is a very pleasing set of results that reflects not only a more benign claims experience but also the prudent steps taken by the Club to improve underwriting performance and strengthen our capital position.

05 Jul 2015

Parkinson Retires from Sunderland Marine

Geoff Parkinson, chief executive officer of North P&I Club’s subsidiary Sunderland Marine, retired on 30 June 2015 following a period of ill health. Tom Rutter, head of the company’s aquaculture business, will continue as interim chief executive officer until a permanent appointment is made. Parkinson (60) led the international fishing vessels, small craft and aquaculture insurer for 19 years and played a major role in negotiating its acquisition by the 170 million GT ‘A’ rated North in February 2014. He joined Sunderland Marine in 1972 as a junior claims clerk, rising through claims manager and overseas development manager to board director in 1993. Three years later he was appointed chief executive officer following the retirement of Barry Gristwood.

08 Aug 2014

North P&I Club's New Strategy to Pay Dividends

The 180 million GT, ‘A’ rated North P&I club has confirmed another ‘positive' financial result in its annual Management Report published today (7 August 2014). It has also set out a new proactive management strategy designed to ensure the club's continuing success. Chairman Pratap Shirke says, 'Overall this has been a very positive financial year for North, with a strong technical underwriting result. He said North achieved a breakeven result in the year to 20 February 2014 despite experiencing its two largest-ever claims plus a significant financial impairment resulting from a change in international accounting policy, which required a US$33 million pension scheme deficit to be included in the balance sheet.

03 Mar 2014

North P&I, Sunderland Merge to Form North Group

North of England P&I Association (North) and Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Company Limited (SMMI) merged to form the North Group on Friday 28 February 2014 following approval by the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulatory Authority and other U.K. and overseas regulators. The merger between two of the longest-established and most successful international marine insurance businesses - both of which are based in north-east England - has created one of the largest global marine insurance operations, with a premium income of over $500 million, free reserves of $350 million and total assets of $1,500 million. North Group has been over two years in the making, starting with a strategic alliance between North and SMMI in January 2012.

21 Feb 2014

North P&I Club Reports "Solid Year"

The ‘A’ rated North P&I club said it achieved another solid year of development ending on February 20, 2014, further consolidating the club’s position as one of the largest and most financially secure members of the International Group of P&I Clubs. Owned tonnage entered in North increased from 126 million GT at the 2013 renewal to 131 million GT yesterday, while the club’s chartered entry developed to stand at approximately 49 million GT. According to chairman Pratap Shirke, "Our policy of applying strict quality and financial standards to the membership continued at this renewal and I am pleased to report further satisfactory development, which will help preserve North’s financial strength.

25 May 2011

North P&I Club Reserve Advances 30%

Directors of North of England P&I club confirm that the ‘A' rated club emerged substantially stronger from the annual renewal in February 2011, with an underwriting surplus and investment income boosting its free reserve by 30% to US$ 312 million. Chairman Albert Engelsman and fellow board members approved the club's 2010/11 accounts in Cyprus on Friday (20 May 2011). ‘This year has been very successful for North, with a strong underwriting performance and positive investment return resulting in a substantial free reserve to underpin our continued development,' says Engelsman.

30 Dec 2010

North P&I Club Confirms 2011 Strategy

The ‘A’ rated 125 million GT North P&I club has confirmed its strategy for the start of its next 150 years will remain focused on service, strength and quality. According to joint managing director Paul Jennings, ‘Our strategic aims for the foreseeable future are still based on three principles: maintaining our financial and service strength, expanding our product range and increasing owned tonnage. We continue to make significant progress in each of these three areas’. The club has maintained its ‘A’ stable rating from Standard and Poor’s for the sixth consecutive year. In March 2011 it will move into a newly enlarged headquarters on Newcastle Quayside and total entered tonnage has grown 12% since the February 2010 renewal, recorded at 31 August 2010.

17 Nov 2009

North P&I Club Sets Premium Rise of 5%

Shipowner directors of the ‘A’ rated, 100 million GT North of England P&I club have decided on a 5% general premium increase for protection and indemnity (P&I) cover in 2010/11, reflecting the club’s continuing financial resilience. According to chairman Albert Engelsman of Dutch shipping group Wagenborg, all North’s open policy years for P&I and freight, demurrage and defence (FD&D) classes are performing in line with expectations and no premiums in addition to the original estimated premium are expected. “It is a testament to the financial resilience of the club that during these turbulent economic conditions it has not been necessary to call on members for unbudgeted supplementary funding,” he said.

20 Sep 2009

Wilson & Jennings at North of England P&I Club

Alan Wilson and Paul Jennings became joint managing directors of the ‘A’ rated, 100 million GT North of England P&I club 18 September 2009 following the retirement of Rodney Eccleston after 21 years at the helm. Club chairman Albert Engelsman congratulated former deputies Wilson and Jennings on their appointments, which mirror the successful joint leadership role played by Eccleston and Peter Crichton for 18 years until Crichton’s retirement in 2006. Wilson joined North in 1981 after qualifying as a chartered accountant with Binder Hamlyn. He was appointed finance manager and company secretary in 1988 and subsequently became finance director of the club’s new wholly-owned management company, North Insurance Management Limited (NIML) in 2000.

11 Jun 2009

Eccleston Bids Farewell

Greek members of the ‘A’ rated, 100 million GT North of England P&I club bid farewell yesterday  to managing director Rodney Eccleston during a reception at the British Embassy in Athens. It was Eccleston’s last official event in Greece before he hands over to deputies Paul Jennings and Alan Wilson when he retires in September this year. Addressing around 300 members and their guests, Jennings reciprocated the welcome by British Ambassador Dr David Landsman and paid tribute to Eccleston’s successful tenure as managing director. ‘North has expanded and grown in strength significantly over the past ten years, and we will continue to base all of our operations on high-quality membership, excellent service and prudent finances.

28 May 2008

P&I Club's Free Reserves Up 16%

to $220 million and total entered tonnage rising to 90 million GT. the club's 2007/8 accounts last week. $10 million. Net assets increased $45 million to $679 million. loss. return on investments. GT. deputy managing director Paul Jennings. reflects the club's proactive approach to service. Rodney Eccleston (58) retires in September 2009. for 18 years until May 2006, when Crichton retired. in a part-time marketing and advisory capacity after his retirement. Group.

11 Sep 2003

North of England P&I Club’s Accounts Confirm Strong Year

The North of England P&I club confirmed its emergence as one the world's strongest maritime insurers today (12 September 2003) with publication of its accounts for the 2002/2003 financial year. The A- rated shipping mutual reported another 12 months of solid growth in tonnage, income and reserves. Chairman George Procopiou confirmed in the club's 2003 'Management Report' that entered tonnage at the February 2003 renewal grew by 10% to 43 million GT, with 35 million GT owned and 8 million GT chartered. Gross premium income for all insurance classes rose by 25% in 2002/3 to US$ 133.1 million and the overall free reserve increased by 14.5% to US$ 99.6 million. Most growth came from existing members but Procopiou said the North of England would continue to look for suitable new members.

21 Jun 2004

Good Results for P&I Club

The North of England P&I club's overall free reserves at 20 February 2004 increased by 34 % to reach US$ 133.5 million despite a difficult year for claims. The 50 million GT club's accounts for the 2003/04 year, which have just been approved by the directors, show a substantial improvement in investment return and further consolidation of the A- rated club's financial position. The P&I class investment portfolio, which remains conservatively structured with 72.5 % in bonds and cash and 27.5 % in equities, generated a return of 14.11 % against a benchmark index of 12.24%. Together with exchange gains, the P&I portfolio provided a total contribution of US$ 50 million.

07 Mar 2005

Positive Results for P&I Club

The 'A' rated North of England P&I club achieved another positive renewal on 20 February 2005 with healthy year-on-year increases in tonnage, premiums and deductibles. It marks another milestone in the club's continuing programme of consolidation, further boosting both its financial strength and membership quality. The total entered fleet grew to over 2700 ships totalling some 54 million GT, up from 50 million GT at the last renewal. This was despite a net reduction of 0.5 million GT at renewal due to terms not being offered or agreed with a number of accounts. The total number of members remains unchanged over the year at 325. 'As in previous years, most of our development was achieved from existing members prior to renewal,' says underwriting director Paul Jennings.

12 Sep 2007

Singapore Shipping Industry Welcomes North of England P&I Club

Brigadier General Tay Lim Heng, chief executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), officially welcomed North of England P&I club to the island nation last week. He was speaking on behalf of guests at a major reception held at Raffles Hotel on 6 September 2007 to celebrate the ‘A’ rated, 75 million GT club’s new representative office opening. In addition to MPA, organizations represented at the event included the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Transport as well as prominent local shipowners, brokers and law firms. North of England managing director Rodney Eccleston, deputy managing director Alan Wilson…

06 Jul 2007

P&I Club Strengthens Management

North of England P&I club strengthened its management team with the appointment of four new directors to the board of its wholly owned management company, North Insurance Management Limited (NIML). The now 13-strong NIML board is led by managing director Rodney Eccleston and deputy managing directors Paul Jennings and Alan Wilson. The newly appointed directors are financial controller Jeff O’Neill, underwriter Thya Kathiravel, admiralty claims specialist Colin Trappe and FD&D specialist Katherine Birchall. All were formerly associate directors.

21 Nov 2006

North of England Directors Decide on General Increases

Shipowner directors of the 65 million GT North of England P&I club have decided on general premium increases for the 2007/8 policy year of 2.5 percent for freight demurrage and defense (FD&D) cover and 7.5 percent for protecting and indemnity (P&I) cover. P&I deductibles will also rise by $250. The increases – which are broadly in line with industry averages and the same as those set for 2006/7 – are deemed necessary to maintain the ‘A’ rated club’s financial position in a continuing adverse claims environment with an uncertain investment outlook. They will take effect at renewal on 20 February 2007. Deputy managing director Paul Jennings points out there has been a large deterioration in International Group pool claims in 2006/7.

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