RPC appoints new head of insurance

Law firm RPC has named Simon Laird as head of insurance. He succeeds James Miller in the role, who was recently elected as the new managing partner.

Miller took over the responsibilities of Jonathan Watmough in January, who retired from the company after nine years in December 2016.

Laird takes up the new position with immediate effect, and will split his time equally between London and Bristol. He will also sit on the firm's management board in his new role.

Laird's practice focuses on onshore and offshore insurance-related commercial disputes, with specific expertise in the financial services sector. He was made a partner at RPC in 2010 and was elected to the partnership committee in 2016.

Miller commented: "I've worked alongside Simon throughout his career. It was very clear from the outset that he would go on to achieve great things, so I'm very pleased to see that recognised in this appointment.

"Our insurance practice is a market leader. We're well known for our service focus, our commitment to quality, and our commerciality. Simon embodies all of those values and will be a fantastic ambassador for our brand. I'm very much looking forward to what will be an exciting new chapter in the practice's long history."

Laird added: "The insurance legal market is challenging but that's no different to the challenges, pressures and uncertainties many of our insurer clients and their insureds are also facing at the moment. These market conditions also present new opportunities for fresh ideas to come to the fore. With the exceptional talent we have and with James' relentless focus on client service already embedded in the team, we are well placed to build on the successes of RPC's Insurance Group over the last few years.

"My role is about inspiring the team to collaborate in coming up with those new ideas, continuing to deliver excellent client service, and providing our clients with the solutions they need to succeed in an increasingly challenging marketplace. I can't wait to get started."

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