CEO succession update

Following our announcement in May, London P&I is pleased to confirm that James Bean will take up the role of Chief Executive Officer on Monday 4 November 2024.

Ian Gooch will step down as CEO on the same date, but will remain a member of the A. Bilbrough & Co Ltd. team, which manages London P&I. James, Ian and the senior management team will work closely together to ensure a comprehensive onboarding process and an orderly transition, while London P&I continues to deliver the highest standards of service to our growing membership.

John M Lyras, Chairman of London P&I, said: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I warmly welcome James and look forward to continuing our work to provide the Club’s Members and Assureds with top level P&I support and service. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Ian for his leadership and unwavering dedication over the past 15 years as CEO and 21 years as a Director of A. Bilbrough. He has been instrumental in driving the Club’s growth and progress and we are grateful that he will stay on with Bilbrough to support James and the senior management team as we enter this new stage."

Ian Gooch said: "I am deeply grateful to our members, partners and colleagues for their continuous support, collaboration and friendships over so many years. Together, we have navigated challenges and expanded the Club’s footprint in important lines of business and new markets. I step aside with a strong sense of pride in what we have accomplished and confidence in the Club's future, under James’ stewardship as our new CEO."

James Bean said: "I am honoured to take on this role. My focus will be on maintaining our excellent performance and continued growth, while helping our membership navigate the evolving challenges of the maritime industry. I look forward to meeting Members and other friends of the Club over the next few months and, together with the team, ensuring the Club remains a leading independent mutual marine P&I insurer."

James joins London P&I from NorthStandard, where he was a key member of the senior leadership team. A qualified Solicitor, he joined Charles Taylor, the managers of the then Standard Club, in 2005 from the law firm Richards Butler, now Reed Smith. He later led the Mediterranean & Middle East Division and then the Offshore Division. He became Group Managing Director at the Standard Club in 2021 and, following the merger with North, was appointed to the senior leadership team at NorthStandard in February 2023.