Dubai-based Brokerage World Solutions (BWS), a specialist in providing end-to-end insurance solutions, has launched its global marine and offshore construction insurance business in the region under the supervision of its top European executive Ruud Jonker.

Jonker is a 40-year industry veteran who successfully led Independent Risk Solutions BV (IRS) of Rotterdam, whose merger with Insure Direct (ID), a Dubai-based insurance broker, resulted in the formation of the BWS Group in 2009.
 
From his new base in Dubai, Jonker will continue to service his European clientele and their global construction portfolio, while Hans Liem, COO, BWS, has taken over from him as the chief executive officer of IRS BV in Rotterdam.

With the top-level management portfolio reshuffle now near completion, BWS will bring the expertise and capabilities of IRS Rotterdam to the Mena insurance market as it seeks to capture related reinsurance enquiries for placement into the Dutch and European insurance markets, often seen as alternatives to London.

Kenneth Maw, the president and Group CEO, said, "Jonker's move to Dubai will be a major boost to the ongoing efforts of BWS to increase our share of the Mena market. With his stellar track record as an underwriter in the highly specialised marine, energy and offshore construction sectors, Jonker brings with him unmatched expertise, industry insight and managerial competency."

The Mena region covers an area larger than the continental US and offers a very competitive alternative home to the reinsurance and insurance market that is generally overlooked by most brokers, he added.

Jonker is recognised as one of the world’s leading experts in Wet Construction risks having been instrumental in the development of special manuscript policy wordings for the industry.

He spent some 15 years at several broking houses such as Marsh and Aon, specialising in energy/offshore CAR and operational insurances. In addition, Jonker has also been involved in the placement of North Sea Offshore Energy business.-TradeArabia News Service