Lancashire gets new chairman for energy

BERMUDIAN insurer Lancashire has brought in Len Messenger as the chairman of energy for its London-based UK subsidiary.

Having spent the past 17 years at Zurich Global Energy, most recently as the manager for the insurer’s exploration and production team for the London market with a special focus on growth in the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions, Messenger has now been tasked with further developing and implementing Lancashire’s Asian strategy. In his new role, he will work closely with Giles Hussey, the chief executive of Lancashire Marketing Services (Middle East) Ltd.

Leading up to joining Lancashire Insurance Company (UK) Ltd, Messenger has spent 35 years underwriting risks in the London market, and has served on a number committees including being the chairman of both the Joint Rig and Associated Business Committee and Energy and Offshore Committee, as well as being on the executive committee of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).

The hiring of Messenger comes as Zurich announces a series of appointments to its own energy team. Last week, the insurer announced it had brought in Greg Cropp as the vice president of energy excess casualty in Zurich North America Commercial’s energy casualty unit, while Marie Gwin was promoted to vice president of energy primary casualty having spent close to 28 years with the company.