Introduction: Lars Lange, Secretary General, IUMI

Lars started his professional career as a maritime lawyer with the law firm Blaum Dettmers Rabstein in Bremen. In October 2008 he took over the position as head of the marine and aviation insurance department at the German Insurance Association (GDV) in Berlin. In January 2013 he moved to his present position as Secretary General of the IUMI where he runs the association’s IMO and EU activities and fosters the relations with other maritime stakeholders.

Lars also chairs the International Quality Assessment Review Body (IQARB) under the auspieces of the IMO and holds a number of honorary posts such serving as a member of the Advisory Committee to the IACS QSCS and as a technical expert to the BIMCO Safety and Security Committee.

Dionysios Tsilioris, Research Analyst, URSA Shipbrokers

Dionysios Tsilioris has a background in Maritime Studies and a Master’s in Shipping Management from the University of Piraeus. A Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, he started his career in shipping with a digital dry cargo chartering start-up before joining URSA Shipbrokers in Piraeus, Greece. Initially working on the Ship Sale and Purchase desk, he later took on a role in developing URSA’s Research desk, which now includes two analysts.

His work focuses on tracking developments in the dry bulk freight market, including vessel trends, commodity flows, and broader economic factors. URSA’s research publications have been well received in the industry and are often republished in shipping media, while his personal contributions on maritime affairs have appeared in the Financial Times.

He has experience giving presentations, taking part in panel discussions, and contributing to conversations on topics such as China’s energy landscape, coal imports, and carbon regulations in shipping. He has also lectured on dry bulk markets in professional shipping education programs.

Simon Ward, Director, URSA Shipbrokers

Simon Ward is a ship sale and purchase broker, and director of URSA Shipbrokers in Piraeus, Greece. He started his career in shipping in Liverpool with a shipowner until becoming a shipbroker there. He moved to London in 1997, and for twelve years worked as a shipbroker for HSBC Shipping Services, in London and then in Greece. He has been director of sale and purchase at URSA since 2013.

Simon is also heavily involved in education, lecturing regularly for the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, of which he is a fellow, and is an examiner for the Institute’s professional qualification examinations programme. He is a clinical professor at the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, guest lecturer at the Athens University of Economics and Business, and lectures regularly at other academic institutions both in Greece and abroad.

For many years, he has led – together with eminent maritime lawyers – the BIMCO ship sale and purchase masterclass for brokers, owners, lawyers and other industry practitioners. He is also a supporting member of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association.

Paul Fry, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Hull & Head of London office, Skuld

Paul joined Skuld in 2016, and as of September 2023, Paul’s role is Senior Vice President, Global Head of Hull & Head of London Office, managing the global portfolio of Skuld’s Hull business, including the experienced Hull team across all the Skuld global offices. In addition, Paul is managing the Skuld London office. Paul’s industry career is extensive, starting in 1994, working for leading marine insurance companies and syndicates in Lloyd’s.

Key industry experiences include:
• Commercial Union from October 1994 to 2000
• Marlborough Underwriting Agency (BRM 1861) from 2000 to 2004
• Aspen Insurance (ASP 4711) from October 2004 to 2016
• Skuld since October 2016

Paul is Vice Chairman of IUMI’s Ocean Hull Committee and a member of the IUA’s Marine Technical Committee. Paul has held positions on both the Joint Hull and Joint War Committee’s in his career and was the IUA Chairman of the Joint Hull Committee between 2019 and 2024.

Brian F. Murphy, Senior Vice President – Head of Marine, Berkley Offshore Underwriting Managers

Brian Murphy is Senior Vice President – Head of Marine at Berkley Offshore Underwriting Managers (a W.R. Berkley company), based in New York City. He is a former chair of the Hull Committee for the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU) and currently serves on their Board of Directors. He serves as Vice Chair of the Legal & Liability Committee for the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY as well as the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) designations, and maintains his U.S. Coast Guard license (Third Mate – Unlimited Tonnage – Continuity Only). He lives on Long Island with his wife, Jeanne, their three children, and one large dog. He is an avid golfer and loves saltwater and freshwater fishing.

Paul Rowland, Director, Richards Hogg Lindley

Paul joined E.R. Lindley (now Richards Hogg Lindley) as an average adjuster in 1977. He is principally involved with adjusting marine claims including general average, particular average, loss of hire, third party recoveries, etc. Paul is a Fellow (and past Chairman) of the Association of Average Adjusters and currently sits on various Association committees.

Rui Hao, Average Adjuster, Richards Hogg Lindley

Rui joined Richards Hogg Lindley as an average adjuster in 2013. He is based in RHL’s London office, having previously worked in the firm’s Liverpool, Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. Rui is a Fellow of the Association of Average Adjusters and sits on the Association’s examination committee.

Marlena Truszczynska, Vice President Claims, Norwegian Hull Club

Marlena Truszczynska began her career at the Norwegian Hull Club as an Adjuster in 2014, and currently holds the position of Vice President Claims.

She has the overall responsibility for the proactive management and settlement of various types of claims, providing the clients and the Club with the legal and adjusting advice. In addition to her daily activity at the Club, Marlena is a lecturer at Cefor, The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers, teaches at Forsikringsformidlerskolen, Norwegian brokage school, holds a position of Vice Chairman of the Board at the Propeller Club of Norway and is a member of the IUMI Education Forum, leading IUMI Masterclass in Hull.

As per education, Marlena is a lawyer and a French linguist. Privately, she has interest in singing and psychology, strongly believes in power of education, communication, connecting people and building long lasting relationships.

Eftychia Tsakou, Vice President Claims, Norwegian Hull Club

Eftychia Tsakou is the Vice President Claims at Norwegian Hull Club, overseeing the Southeast Europe portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in the shipping industry, she has been with Norwegian Hull Club for 4 years, managing marine claims primarily from Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and Germany.

Previously, Eftychia worked for shipowners in Greece, Cyprus, UK and Norway as Insurance & Claims Manager and Ship Operator for tanker, bulk, and container fleets. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Shipping Operations, an LLM in Commercial and Maritime Law, and an MBA in Shipping and Logistics. Eftychia is also a member of the Salvage committee in IUMI.

Paul Hill, Maritime Director Europe & Africa, ABL

Paul Hill is a Chartered Engineer with a First Class Certificate of Competency as a Marine Engineer. He became a surveyor in 2009 with BMT/ Salvage Association moving up the ranks with ABL Group to Chief Surveyor then Managing Director for Europe and Africa in 2016.

Paul has been providing his experience for hull and machinery insurers and P&I Clubs for ten years and specialises in the failures of slow and medium speed engines, turbocharger, propellers, shafts, stern tubes, rudders, thrusters, deck cranes as well as grounding, flooding and fire damage.

Ilias Tsakiris, CEO, American Steamship Owners Marine Insurance Company (Europe) and Hellenic Hull Management (HMA)

Ilias Tsakiris has been leading Hellenic Hull Management Ltd since 2005 and since 2016 he holds the position of General Manager at American Club, Europe, bringing nearly three decades of expertise in the marine insurance industry. A graduate of Hydra Merchant Marine Academy and Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Maritime Studies, Mr. Tsakiris commenced his career as an apprentice Deck Officer before transitioning ashore to become an average adjuster in London.Since joining Hellenic Hull Management in 1995, Mr. Tsakiris has played a pivotal role in steering dynamic growth and innovation within the sector.

Notable achievements include establishing the American Hellenic Hull Insurance Co Ltd in Cyprus, and historic appointments as a Council Member of the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and Chair of the Ocean Hull Committee.Beyond this, Mr. Tsakiris serves on the boards and committees of numerous marine organizations, including the Piraeus Marine Club, Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance, and HELMEPA’s training committee. Under his guidance, the company has aligned with sustainability initiatives such as UNEPFI – Principles for Sustainable Insurance, Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative, and UN Global Compact.

Mr. Tsakiris is also a visiting lecturer and MoU signee at institutions like the World Maritime University, the University of Piraeus, and the University of Aegean, and he regularly contributes to leading international maritime publications.