IUA replaces SCOR's Newman with Aviva's Tiernan as chairman

The International Underwriting Association (IUA) has appointed Patrick Tiernan, managing director UK commercial lines & global corporate & specialty at Aviva, as the new chairman.

Tiernan takes over from Malcolm Newman, managing director of the SCOR EMEA Hub, who is stepping down after seven years in the role of IUA chairman, but will remain a member of the association’s board.

Tiernan has been a member of the IUA Board since 2017.

In addition, the association has appointed two new deputy chairmen: Rob Kuchinski, head of commercial insurance, Zurich UK and Phil Hobbs, deputy managing director, Liberty Specialty Markets.

Tiernan said: “I am delighted to be leading an organisation that plays a key role in maintaining London’s position as the world’s leading insurance centre. The IUA enables us to respond more effectively as a market to many different underwriting, claims, processing and regulatory challenges.

“Under the dedicated chairmanship of Malcolm Newman the association has thrived and membership has grown to record levels. I now look forward to working with companies to re-establish our strategic priorities in the months ahead and cooperating with other organisations across the market to cement London as the world’s preeminent underwriting centre for the risks and customers of the future.”

Newman commented: “During my time as Chairman the London company market’s response to issues such as Brexit and Covid-19 has been all the more effective because of our ability to speak with a unified voice to government and regulators. Cooperation has also allowed us to modernise our market, introduce electronic trading, put in place a framework to support UK Insurance-Linked Securities activity and many other enhancements. I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their support and the IUA’s Chief Executive Dave Matcham.”