The London Forum of Insurance Lawyers (London FOIL) has appointed current vice-president and Birketts reinsurance partner Gavin Coull as its new president.
Coull will be leading the organisation through 2022, focusing on addressing the issues facing the London insurance and reinsurance markets, including climate change and diversity and inclusion.
He will succeed Weightmans partner Ling Ong and will serve alongside DAC Beachfront partner Toby Vallance, who will take over his role as vice-president.
Read more: London FOIL names president for 2021
“As one of the founding members of London FOIL, it is a privilege to become its president,” said Coull. “In the wake of the pandemic, expectations around ESG and D&I are only growing.”
“Insurers in the London market are increasingly conscious that those with which they work must also show an understanding of, and commitment to solving, D&I and ESG issues,” he added. “It’s therefore imperative that their advisers – lawyers included – are fully engaged with and embrace these important issues.”
Coull boasts almost 25 years of experience in the (re)insurance sector, advising insurers and reinsurers across a broad range of non-marine business classes. He also has extensive experience in litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution in significant matters in England and overseas.
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“With a wealth of experience under his belt and having been on the front lines of the London market at a particularly testing time for the industry, Gavin is well-positioned to lead London FOIL in 2022,” said Laurence Besemer, chief executive officer of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL). “As someone who has been a part of London FOIL since the very beginning, I have every confidence that he will continue the great work the organisation has done over the past year and steer it to further success.”
London FOIL is the division of FOIL that supports the legal services providers serving the Lloyd’s and London (re)insurance markets.
“Since 2018, London FOIL has provided a strong and unified voice for lawyers working with London market participants,” Coull said. “Our organisation remains committed to helping them best support their clients in these challenging times.”
