IUA picks new chair from Liberty replacing Zurich leader

The International Underwriting Association (IUA), which represents international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance companies operating in or through London, has a new chair – a senior leader of  Liberty Special Markets.

Phil Hobbs (Pictured), president and managing director of Liberty Special Markets, has been elected to replace Rob Kuchinski, head of commercial insurance at Zurich UK, who is retiring.

Hobbs has been a member of the IUA Board since March 2019 and was previously a deputy chair of the association. He will formally assume the role of IUA chair from Kuchinski on January 1, 2023.

Dave Matcham, chief executive of the IUA, said: “Our Board is responsible for setting the overall strategy of our organisation and is made up of senior leaders from across the company market. It has been led with great effectiveness by Mr Kuchinski for the past two years – a period that has seen overall IUA membership grow to record levels. I would like to thank him for his dedicated support and wish him well in his retirement.

“Phil Hobbs is well placed to take on the role of Chair, He is already a respected contributor to Board discussions and a well-regarded leader in our market. In early January we will be publishing the IUA’s business plan for the year ahead. I look forward to working with him as we deliver the member services promised in this document and support the development of new digital services for the company market.

Hobbs commented: “The IUA performs a vital function for our industry, advocating with authority on technical underwriting and claims matters for specialty lines. I am pleased to be leading the association as it continues working towards its mission to secure an optimal trading environment for London insurance and reinsurance companies.”

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