Lars Lange to assume role in February, 2013

The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has announced the name of its new Secretary General effective from February 2013.

The Union’s President, Ole Wikborg, announced that IUMI has signed an agreement with Lars Lange to assume the role when current Secretary General, Fritz Stabinger, leaves the post next year. Mr Lange’s assumption of the role will also see the IUMI Secretariat move from Zurich to Hamburg.

Mr Stabinger announced his decision to step down at the IUMI Winter Meeting in January this year and Mr Wikborg and members of the Executive Committee began work to identify and appoint the new Secretary General shortly afterwards.

Mr Lange, who is presently head of marine and aviation insurance with the German Insurance Association (GDV) is a qualified maritime lawyer by training. He graduated from Göttingen University in 1995 and received his first professional training at Celle Higher Regional Court where he passed his Second State Examination in Law.

Mr Lange started his professional career with the law firm Blaum Dettmers Rabstein in Bremen. From 1999 onwards he dedicated his professional life to marine insurance: first as head of the marine insurance department, underwriting and claims, all lines of marine insurance business with C. Wm. König GmbH & Co. KG, based in Bremen. He moved to his present position with the GDV in October, 2008.

Mr Stabinger said: "I am extremely pleased that the secretariat will continue to be led by a well-versed and experienced marine insurance specialist." He added he will work with Mr Lange in the months to come to ensure a smooth transition.

The move to Germany will see IUMI returning to its roots. The organisation was founded in Berlin in 1874 and moved to Switzerland after the Second World War.

Mr Lange said he was very much looking forward to his new role as Secretary General of IUMI and it will allow him to continue developing his and IUMI’s international network.