London P&I Club - CEO Succession Update

24 October 2024

Following our announcement in May this year, we are pleased to confirm that James Bean will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of The London P&I Club on Monday 04 November 2024.

Current CEO Ian Gooch will step down from the position on the same date but will continue as a member of the A. Bilbrough & Co Ltd. team, which manages The London P&I Club. James and Ian, together with the senior management team, will work closely together to ensure a comprehensive onboarding process and orderly management of change, whilst continuing to deliver the highest standards of service to our growing Membership.

Chairman of the London P&I Club, John M Lyras, 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.”

Departing CEO, Ian Gooch, commented: “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.”

Incoming CEO, James Bean, added: “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 Bean joins from NorthStandard, where he was a key member of the senior leadership team. A qualified Solicitor, James joined Charles Taylor, the managers of the (then) Standard Club in 2005 from the law firm Richards Butler (now Reed Smith). He later ran the club’s Mediterranean & Middle East Division and subsequently led 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.