Fidelis hires new marine head

Fidelis Insurance has hired Paul Russell from Lancashire Insurance as its new head of marine.

He has over three decades’ experience in the industry, starting as a marine broker with Sedgwick and then with Aon Benfield, Cooper Gay and Cambiaso Risso Marine before joining Lancashire as a marine underwriter in 2013.

The appointment is part of Fidelis’ marine expansion internally and with its marine MGA, Navium, which commenced underwriting under Clive Washbourn in May 2021. The combination makes Fidelis amongst the largest in the London market.

The appointment follows Fidelis opening a  trading floor in London last week: The “Forum” on Lime Street, where brokers can meet with Fidelis and its MGAs’ underwriters, actuaries, and wordings and claims specialists.

Richard Coulson, chief executive officer of insurance and chief underwriting officer of Fidelis Underwriting Limited, said: “We are looking forward to Paul joining our team as he brings with him a wealth of experience and client relationships that will further enhance Fidelis’ offering and uncompromising service and commitment to delivering the best insurance solutions for our brokers and clients.”