BPL Global’s Chairman, Charles Berry, has been appointed as the President of the Insurance Institute of London (IIL).  Berry, who succeeds Nicolas Aubert, CEO, Willis Towers Watson GB, will serve in office for the 2019-20 term alongside new Deputy President Anthony Baldwin, CEO and Board Director, AIG UK.

Delivering his first presidential address at the IIL’s AGM on 30th September, Berry said: “It is a great honour to serve the Institute as President, but somewhat daunting as I have big shoes to fill. I will do my very best to represent all sectors of the market and build upon the increasing momentum and hard work that has been the hallmark of Nicolas’s leadership in the past 12 months.”

He continued: “My theme for the year – ‘Who do you act for?’ – stems from my belief that trust in financial markets depends on market professionals being transparent as to who they act for: buyer or seller; client or capital provider. I look forward to developing this theme during a year full of challenges, but also one promising opportunity for all.”

A Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, Berry has long been acknowledged as a leading industry expert, speaker and lecturer, educating on a range of topics including the use of credit insurance for banks, broader political violence cover post-9/11 and, more recently, a proper market for “war risks on land”.

On 1st October, Berry gave his first lecture in his capacity as IIL President at Lloyd’s, where he outlined the capabilities and activities of today’s credit and political risk insurance market, and the importance of London market professionals being clear about the interests they seek to serve.