News: appointments Email your opinions to editorial@barkerbrooks.co.uk Appointments Johnson becomes new FOIL President Gee joins the IFB


The Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) has elected David Johnson, a partner at Weightmans, as its new President. The large loss litigation


specialist, at 38, is one of the youngest FOIL presidents to have been elevated to the role in the organisation's history. He takes over from Rod Evans, a partner at Greenwoods. Johnson has been a member of


FOIL since his early days as a trainee solicitor in 1999 at A.E Wyeth & Co, where he worked alongside Maurice Nicholls, one of the founding fathers of FOIL. He has been a lobby offi cer for FOIL and has served on its national committee for four years. “In career terms I’ve grown up with FOIL and worked with others


to develop an organisation which is increasingly successful in ensuring that our members infl uence major debates, " said Johnson. "FOIL’s views are now actively sought to the extent that this


year we were asked to give evidence in person to a Government Select Committee for the fi rst time. “This underlines the quality and commitment of members who


participate in our sector focus teams and national committee. I’m humbled and proud to be spearheading those eff orts in the coming year.”


Stuart Gee has become the Insurance Fraud Bureau's (IFB) new head of operations. Gee is responsible for the operations and analysis teams


at the IFB, both of which play a crucial role in developing networks, managing investigations and liaising with law enforcement agencies to bring fraudsters to justice. At the time of taking over on 2 December, the operations team was managing over 60 live fraud investigations across the UK, valued at over £80m. Joining from RiverStone Insurance, Gee has over 15 years'


counter fraud experience in investigations and insurance. As the claims intervention manager at the company, he designed a counter fraud strategy across the company's retail portfolio. Ben Fletcher, the IFB's director said, that Gee's role would


be pivotal to the IFB's success. “I have no doubt that Stuart’s knowledge and experience


will be valuable assets as we continue to identify organised fraud and help ensure they are brought to justice,” he said. Gee said that being asked to take on the role was a


real honour. “The IFB’s dedication and passion to reduce fi nancial crime is unrelenting and I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute directly towards the whole industry’s fi ght against insurance fraud,” he said.


A tongue-in-cheek look at motor insurance fraud LEGAL UPDATE➔


27


Former T ompsons man jumps over to Irwin Mitchell


James Davies, the former national coordinator for serious injuries at Thompsons, has become Irwin Mitchell's new serious injury team head in Bristol. The new partner acts for both


children and adults specialises in claims for head and brain injuries, spinal cord injury, amputations and fatal accidents. He is the fi fth new partner to join the personal legal services division across the country for Irwin Mitchell this year.


Davies also works with national charities such as Headway,


the Spinal Injuries Association, the Child Brain Injury Trust, the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum and Cerebra, a charity for children with brain conditions.


Jonathan Peacock, regional managing partner for Irwin


Mitchell’s Bristol offi ce, said that Davies had over 15 years experience as a solicitor and his knowledge and expertise in helping victims of high-value catastrophic injuries would be a real boost for our growing team in the South West. “Our Bristol offi ce has gone from strength to strength


since we opened in 2010 and we have established a strong reputation in personal injury, court of protection and family law work. The addition of James is part of our plan to ensure we recruit the highest quality lawyers to the fi rm as we seek to grow further," he said. Davies said that working with the team at Irwin Mitchell was


a major driver in his decision to join the fi rm. "The personal injury department is the best in the industry


and I am really looking forward to starting work," he said. “In this fi eld there is a chance to have a massive positive


impact on people’s lives and I’m delighted to be able to work with such an experienced and innovative team at Irwin Mitchell.”


Claims Magazine/Issue 11/ 25


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60