Lloyd’s described the opening of its new office in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam as “embracing its marine roots.” They go back over 300 years and Lloyd’s pointed out that it already has a “strong presence in the Netherlands, the maritime powerhouse of Europe, a market where marine is still the main class of business for Lloyd’s.”
“Benelux is a mature, thriving insurance market, and Rotterdam is perfectly positioned between Amsterdam and Antwerp to take advantage of it. The new office will manage both the legal representation and business development of the region in one location,” the bulletin explained.
Lloyd’s Chairman Lord Levene, who officially opened the office, commented: “Our latest office brings Lloyd’s back to the heart of the Benelux region. The first Chairman of Lloyd’s in the early 18th Century was a Martin Van Mierop, a Dutch trader based in London.
“He took Lloyd’s out of the coffee shop and into permanent offices and I am delighted to be the Chairman who finally returned the compliment and opened an office in Rotterdam. Lloyd’s looks forward with great anticipation to working with Dutch industry and helping its economy to manage its risks.”
Ralph Van Helden, who joined Lloyd’s last August as Benelux Regional Manager to drive the business development in the region, observed: “There are many opportunities for Lloyd’s in the Benelux region and this office will act as a hub for the area as we look to capitalize on these. We already have a strong presence but I’m looking forward to working with the industry to show all that Lloyd’s has to offer and expanding on the work we already do in the local market.”
The Dutch Minister of Finance Jan Kess de Jager opened the office with Lord Levene. The British Ambassador Paul Arkwright and Lloyd’s director of International Markets Jose Ribeiro also attended the ceremony.
Lloyd’s noted that, excluding the UK, the Netherlands is Lloyd’s fourth largest market in Europe; Belgium is 12th and Luxemburg, 17th. In 2009, their combined premiums were €331million [$458 million].
Source: Lloyd’s of London
Topics Excess Surplus Lloyd's
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