Industry pays tribute to Hiscox’s Bloomer

The insurance industry has paid tribute to Jonathan Bloomer following his death after a yacht sank off the coast of Sicily.

Bloomer was serving as the chairman of both Hiscox and Morgan Stanley at the point of his death.

He began his career in insurance in 1995 at Prudential, where he served as chief financial officer and then chief executive, before becoming an operating partner at US private equity and alternative investor Cerberus Capital Management until 2012.

He was married to Judy Bloomer, who was a trustee and long-time supporter of gynaecological cancer research charity the Eve Appeal.

The couple’s bodies were recovered during a search and rescue mission, with the vessel 50 metres underwater.

Hiscox said that those at the insurer “are all profoundly saddened by the death of our chair, Jonathan Bloomer, alongside his wife Judy”.

Chief executive Aki Hussain added: “It was a privilege to have known Jonathan and to have benefited from his generosity and wisdom over the last year.

“His deep experience across our industry and in the broader business arena, combined with his personal values, made him both an excellent chair and a person I was proud to know and work with.

“His advice and support were immensely valuable to me and he will be dearly missed.”

Hilary Ross, UK&I regional managing partner at DWF, added that “Jonathan Bloomer was an amazing man – a man we were privileged to know and whose death leaves a huge gap”.

“My sincerest condolences to Jonathan and Judy’s children,” she added.

And M&G plc said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that have occurred in Sicily, particularly hearing the news that Jonathan Bloomer – the former group chief executive of Prudential plc – has died along with his wife Judy and several other people who were aboard the yacht that was reported missing earlier this week.

“Jonathan was known to many colleagues here at M&G, having been part of Prudential’s executive team for 10 years, serving as both chief executive and before that as chief financial officer. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected.”

Charity

NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless also paid tribute, highlighting that both Jonathan and Judy Bloomer were supporters of the charity.

Jonathan was an honorary treasurer, chair of the finance committee and a board trustee between 2008 and 2016, while Judy was a volunteer in west Kent.

“Their efforts directly and indirectly helped many thousands of children and they will be much missed,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this terribly difficult time. RIP Jonathan and Judy.”

Other bodies recovered from the shipwreck include that of British technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch, US lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda Morvillo, who is a jewellery designer.

Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah remains missing.