Morris to lead Far East team for Miller.

(From Lloyds List)

JOHN Morris, a senior figure at the Thomas Miller group which manages a substantial portfolio of transport mutuals, is to take a leading role in an area he has long nurtured, the Far East, writes James Brewer.

In a challenge he will relish Mr Morris, now leader of the management team of Thomas Miller Defence, has been appointed chairman and regional director of Thomas Miller (Asia Pacific).

This is one of three senior moves aimed at supporting the managed businesses in playing to their strengths, with UK P'I Club, for instance, being one of a select handful of interactively A rated mutuals.

Standard ' Poor's has included the club in its 'strong' category of ratings since it started P'I assessments, assigning an outlook of 'stable' which means the rating is likely to be maintained.

Non-mutual competition for the insurance allegiance of shipping and logistics groups and professionals has heightened in recent times, especially in the East, and Thomas Miller managed entities are counting on their strong record of service and industry knowledge to keep them ahead.

The UK club is the world's largest insurer of third party liabilities for oceangoing ships, covering more than 150m gt of owned and chartered shipping, equivalent to almost 20% of the world's merchant fleet.