Gallagher taps prominent legal aerospace specialist

Global broker  Gallagher has boosted its aerospace expertise with the hiring of a legal specialist who sits on a variety of aerospace industry committees and boards including Airmic.

As a consultant within its global aerospace practice, Nick Hughes will be responsible for supporting Gallagher's client-facing teams with legal input to complex insurance coverage, claims and contractual issues, as well as helping to grow its aerospace client base.

Until his retirement in June 2020, Hughes was a Solicitor and partner in law firm Holman Fenwick Willan’s (HFW) aviation practice team, before which he was a partner at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. During his legal career, he was mainly London-based, with periods spent in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Hughes is a prominent legal aerospace specialist with considerable international legal experience in all aspects of aviation and space insurance, having provided legal representation in claims resolution and disputes arising from loss events in over 130 countries. He also has extensive experience advising on regulatory and commercial matters.

Hughes serves on a variety of aerospace industry committees and boards, including as a longstanding Director and Secretary of Airmic, the representative organisation in the UK for risk managers and insurance professionals, as well as the Aviation Insurance Clauses Group (AICG), which publishes non-binding standard wordings and clauses to be used in aviation insurance policies. Additionally, he is a vice president of the aviation committee of the Insurance Institute of London (IIL) and past chairman of the aviation committee.

Furthermore, Hughes is a court member and past master of the Worshipful Company of Solicitors, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Insurers, and a past president of the City of London Law Society.

Gallagher provides insurance, reinsurance and risk management solutions to the aerospace industry through its global team of specialists, with a client portfolio that covers all aspects of aerospace risk, from international airlines to spacecraft.

Peter Elson, CEO of Gallagher’s aerospace practice, said: “Nick brings with him a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise that will undoubtedly enhance the offering our team is able to provide to our global client base. We’re looking forward to working with Nick, whose support will be invaluable as we continue our commitment to providing excellent service to our clients.”

Hughes commented: “The aerospace industry has had an unprecedented 18 months, and businesses in the sector are facing complex contractual and operational risks as they look to get back to more normal levels of operation.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with a business with significant experience in aerospace and an extensive global footprint, and look forward to supporting the team with legal and contractual expertise that will help clients mitigate the risks they are facing as we emerge from the pandemic.”

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