Hiscox Names Interim Chair After Jonathan Bloomer's Death
- Jonathan Bloomer, the chairman of Hiscox, tragically died in a yacht incident off Sicily.
- Colin Keogh, the senior independent director, has been appointed as the interim chair of Hiscox.
- The appointment comes after the fatal accident that also claimed the life of technology entrepreneur Mike Lynch.
Insurance giant Hiscox has announced the appointment of Colin Keogh as interim chairman following the unexpected death of Jonathan Bloomer, who tragically passed away during a yacht trip off the coast of Sicily. Bloomer, 70, was aboard the Bayesian superyacht, owned by British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, when the vessel was struck by a water tornado. The incident resulted in the deaths of Bloomer, his wife Judy, Lynch, and four others, marking a devastating loss for their families and the business community. The ill-fated trip was intended as a celebration after Lynch's recent acquittal of fraud charges in the United States. Bloomer, who had been with Hiscox for just a year, was also known for his leadership roles at Prudential and Morgan Stanley. Hiscox's chief executive, Aki Hussain, expressed profound sorrow over the loss, highlighting Bloomer's generosity and wisdom during his tenure as chairman. In light of the tragedy, Italian authorities have initiated a manslaughter investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. While the investigation unfolds, 15 individuals were rescued from the scene, including Lynch's wife, Angela, who survived the ordeal. Colin Keogh, who has been with Hiscox since 2015 and previously led Close Brothers, will guide the company until a permanent chairman is appointed. Hiscox, a significant player in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, continues to navigate this challenging period while honoring the memory of Bloomer and the other victims.