Insurance provider announces new chief underwriting officer

Insurance provider West of England P&I Club has appointed Bart Mertens as its new chief underwriting officer.

Mertens will join the firm in January 2025 and succeed Simon Parrott, who is retiring next year.

The new appointee brings over 30 years of experience in the marine insurance industry and joins West from Gard AS, where he was most recently vice president of underwriting.

Tom Bowsher, group chief executive at West, said: “I am very much looking forward to working closely with Mertens in his new position as we continue to strengthen our service delivery across our global underwriting function.

“With his extensive background in maritime insurance, he brings a broad knowledge and understanding of the market, ideally positioning him to contribute to the club’s objectives, including our commitment to diversification.”

Mertens added: “West has taken bold and positive steps in recent years, strengthening the club’s capital position, developing new and exciting product lines, as well as growing its regional presence in key maritime hubs across the world.

“This strategy aligns with my own and I feel privileged to have this opportunity to contribute to the positive progress of the club and look forward to joining the underwriting team and working with Bowsher and the rest of the West management as we look to deliver on our business objectives.”

Succession

When Mertens joins next year, he will work with Parrott during the next renewal cycle and into the 2025/26 policy year to help with the transition phase.

Parrott will remain a director at West during this period.

Bowsher said: “Parrott has made a significant contribution to our success during his time with West and we are delighted that he will remain part of the club’s management team to enable a seamless transition ahead of next summer.”