Succession planning began towards the end of 2022, and now sees three long-time members stepping down from board posts, with four new appointees.
Those joining the board are representative of a large breadth of organisations from within the sector, bringing a deep level of experience and knowledge across both the UK and international activity.
From 1 April, the newly appointed directors will be as follows:
Richard Burrows from Weightmans LLP.
Heavily involved with IRLA since 2017, Richard is a Liverpool-based lawyer and will continue to have a keen interest in the young professionals element of the organisation, serving as Chairman of YPG.
Adam Horridge from Swiss Re.
Singapore-based, Adam is a transaction specialist and was formerly Chairman of YPG, as well as having previously won the accolade of Young Professional of the Year.
Liam Bedford from Kennedys LLP.
A barrister, and based in Leeds, Liam won the Young Professional of the Year Award in 2021. He will be heavily involved in the future pathway of the academy programme.
Gian Luigi di Franco from Riverstone.
Recently qualified as a lawyer, Gian Luigi is based in Ipswich and is an in-house solicitor who also served as Deputy Chairman of YPG until 2021.
He is currently Company Secretary of the Legacy Claims Committee (“LCL”) and will also become a director of LCL.
From 1 April, those departing their positions, are:
Paul Corver, who is well known in the sector and a former Chairman of IRLA for 11 years. He is now set to embark on retirement after a number of decades in legacy.
Mark Everiss has been serving as IRLA’s Company Secretary for 15 years, and will be standing down in this current phase of board transition. He will continue to be closely involved in the market as he takes on his Partner role at Eversheds Sutherland.
Stephen Roberts, immediate past chairman and director of claims at Riverstone, leaves IRLA after 7 years. Stephen’s interest in the provision of professional training for IRLA members and his efforts in getting the IRLA Legacy handbook published will be long remembered.
Commenting on the changes in board structure, Kevin Gill, current IRLA Chairman, said: “IRLA is enormously grateful for the contribution and leadership that Paul, Stephen and Mark have provided to the Association over many years and to the industry more broadly.
“The board is excited to welcome the new board members, who will each bring a fresh dimension. We look forward to working with them to further evolve the Association.”
IRLA itself has another busy year ahead, with a fully booked Congress set to take place in Brighton at the start of May.
The organisation’s membership level currently exceeds 105 corporate members, and spans organisations from sole traders to global businesses which have hundreds of staff focused on legacy management.
Later this year IRLA will celebrate its 25th anniversary, having been founded in 1999 by a few determined individuals who had a desire to better serve the interests and intentions of legacy professionals.
IRLA is highly committed to charitable endeavours and to supporting the wellbeing of those actively employed in the legacy insurance and reinsurance field.
Image: Gian Luigi di Franco from Riverstone supplied & owned by IRLA
