Hiscox appoints new interim chairman following death of Jonathan Bloomer

Hiscox has appointed a new interim chairman after confirming the death of previous chairman Jonathan Bloomer yesterday.

Colin Keogh, a senior independent director at the insurance group, will take on the role, the company said on Friday.

Mr Bloomer died earlier this week along with his wife Judy on board the superyacht Bayesian.

The couple were on board the ship that sank off the coast of Sicily earlier this week, along with technology magnate Mike Lynch, who also died.

In a statement on Thursday, Hiscox chief executive Aki Hussain said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Jonathan and Judy.

“Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends during this devastating time.

“It has been a privilege to have known Jonathan and to have benefited from his generosity and wisdom in his role as Chairman of Hiscox over the last year.

“His extensive experience in our industry and the wider business, combined with his personal values, made him both an outstanding Chairman and a person I was proud to know and work with.

“His advice and support were invaluable to me and we will miss him very much.”

Mr. Bloomer was a board veteran with a 50-year career in the financial sector.

He was also chairman of the international business of banking giant Morgan Stanley.

Mr Bloomer was interested in sailing, rugby and music and was also a member of the finance committee of the British children's charity NSPCC.

Mr Keogh, who takes on the role at Hiscox on an interim basis, worked for Close Brothers for 24 years.

From 2002 to 2009, he was chairman of the giant investment banking firm. He is also a non-executive director at Virgin Money and the investment group M&G.

Mr Keogh served as a non-executive director at Hiscox for almost nine years, taking up the role in 2015.