Lumley Australia found out just how competitive the marine insurance market was last October when Vero Marine poached its three top marine managers.

Last week Lumley announced the appointment of former JLT Australia Marine Manager Neil Hiller and Thomas Miller Joint MD Robert Hammersley as Joint Marine Managers of its new centralised marine division.

It’s a welcome return to strength for Lumley CEO David Matcham, who lost the core of his marine team in one swoop in October.

Vero poached Lumley’s Marine National Manager Nick Rowley, NSW Marine Manager Michael McClean and Development Underwriter Tyrone Avellano, and Mr Matcham described it then as “unfortunate… but clever”.

The company says the marine division will provide “innovative specialist insurance products and risk management to brokers who have clients involved in international trade, the logistics sector and marine industries”.

National Development Manager David Pearce says the move “reaffirms our commitment to being a major player in the marine insurance market”.

Former Lumley NSW State Manager Martin Clowes – who is retiring on July 1 – has been managing the group’s marine operations since the losses to Vero.