Paul Rowland, the new chairman of the Association of Average Adjusters, foresees a “bright and vibrant” future for this specialist branch of the marine profession.
Rowland, a director of the firm of average adjusters and marine claims consultants Richards Hogg Lindley (a trading name of Charles Taylor Adjusting), voiced his optimism as he assumed the chairmanship of the association for 2014-2015. He succeeds Keith Jones of Aon, who had presided for the 2012-2014 period.
Mr Rowland said that in the last few years, the average age of association members had dropped dramatically. The popularity of the association’s examinations– considered an important benchmark for newer practitioners in marine insurance – in many countries, had resulted in significant changes in the makeup of the association.
The number of Associates (the category of Associate is a stepping stone to Fellowship) had grown to well over 100, and many more were expected to qualify in the next few years. The latest exams saw one more member qualify for Fellowship, “and quite a few more are anticipated to succeed in the next two to three years,“ said Mr Rowland.
He said that the increase in the number of Associates “will mean change, and the Association needs to direct time and energy into meeting the needs of Associates. The Associates also have a huge amount to offer to the association and the markets which they serve. The future looks both bright and vibrant.”
He added: “We need to continue to attract high calibre young entrants to the profession (and to the wider field of marine claims) and to maintain high standards of training and education.”
Mr Rowland spoke of the great personal satisfaction his career path had yielded: “Like many, I came into average adjusting without any great understanding of what it involved (other than ships, insurance and legal issues).
“This was in the 1970s. After a couple of years I joined ER Lindley (now Richards Hogg Lindley) where I have been for 37 years. I enjoyed the work (and still do after 37 years) but perhaps the best part of the job has always been the colleagues I have worked with and the clients I have worked for. As good as it gets, I reckon!”
He said that it was hard to single out the most notable experiences of his career so far. “Having been involved with hundreds of cases over the years (and many are memorable for varying reasons), the ones that stick in the memory are probably those with a strong human element – for example piracy cases.”
Mr Rowland has since the late 1990s been active on various association committees, including its examinations committee.
He is an experienced lecturer and trainer and for more than 10 years has been the director of the annual Richards Hogg Lindley maritime law and marine insurance claims course.
