No.10 2024/25 - Bart Mertens is appointed to Chief Underwriting Officer
September 2024
The Managers are pleased to announce that Bart Mertens has been appointed as the new Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO) with effect from 6 January 2025.
Bart will succeed Simon Parrott who will retire in 2025 after 40 years with the Club.
With over 30 years of experience in the marine insurance industry, Bart joins West from another International Group Club where he has worked for the last 14 years as part of their senior underwriting management team, with responsibility across several regions and product lines.
He has a Masters Degree in Law, Maritime Science and Business Law and started his career at a P&I correspondents in Antwerp as a claims executive. From there he joined the management board at a leading insurance broking house before moving to underwriting in 2010.
Bart commented on his new role:
"I am delighted to join West as the Club's new CUO.
West has taken bold and positive steps in recent years, strengthening the Clubs capital position, developing new and exciting product lines as well as growing their regional presence in key maritime hubs across the world including, more recently, the UAE.
This strategy aligns with my own, and I feel privileged to have this opportunity to contribute to the positive progress of the Club and look forward to joining the underwriting team and working with Tom and the rest of the West Management as we look to deliver on our business objectives."
Tom Bowsher, Group CEO, added:
“We are extremely pleased to announce that Bart Mertens will be taking on the role of CUO at West, following Simon Parrott’s retirement in 2025. Simon has made a significant contribution to our success during his time with West, and we are delighted that he will remain part of the Club’s management team to enable a seamless transition ahead of next summer.
For West to attract someone of Bart’s experience and calibre, further demonstrates the positive progress we continue to make as a Club, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with Bart in his new position as we continue to strengthen our service delivery across our global underwriting function.
With his extensive background in maritime insurance, Bart brings a broad knowledge and understanding of the market ideally positioning him to contribute to the Club’s objectives, including our commitment to diversification.”
Bart will start with West in January 2025 and will work closely with Simon Parrott throughout the next renewal cycle and into the 2025/26 Policy Year.
Simon’s retirement plans were announced in April 2024, following which, West conducted a thorough search to identify his successor as CUO to enable an effective and timely handover for this important role at the Club. Simon will continue in his position until his formal retirement and will remain a Director of West during this period.
The Club wishes Bart all the very best in his new position.
For: West of England Insurance Services (Luxembourg) S.A.
(As Managers)
T Bowsher
Group CEO