Hiscox has appointed independent director Colin Keogh as interim chair following the death of Jonathan Bloomer in the sinking of the Bayesian yacht off the coast of Sicily.

Mr Bloomer had been chair of the London-listed insurer since the middle of last year and had extensive experience leading financial services organisations. He and his wife Judy were among seven people who died when the yacht sank during a storm on August 19.  

Group CEO Aki Hussain said Hiscox was deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths.

“It was a privilege to have known Jonathan and to have benefited from his generosity and wisdom over the last year in his role as chair of Hiscox,” Mr Hussain said.

“His deep experience across our industry and in the broader business arena, combined with his personal values, made him both an excellent chair and a person I was proud to know and work with. His advice and support were immensely valuable to me, and he will be dearly missed.”

Mr Bloomer was also chairman of Morgan Stanley International.

Luxury yacht Bayesian was carrying 10 crew and 12 passengers when it sank before dawn near the Sicilian fishing village of Porticello.