Paul Brown – Director of Operations

Email: pbrown@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9064
Mob:    +44 7590 882622

Paul joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in December 2017.  He has extensive knowledge of all matters involving Cargo and Freight insurance having worked in both Underwriting and Claims. Paul’s experience working within Lloyds, the Global/International market and the UK Company market brings a wealth of expertise to W.E. Cox Claims Group and as Director of W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe) Limited Paul will oversee the running of our very successful cargo claims department and assist in the development, training and progression of the team.

Captain Rajiv Thakar – Master Mariner, LL.M. Maritime Law, Casualty and Complex Claims Director

Email:   rthakar@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:      +44 203 859 9059
Mob:     +44 7720 826560

Captain Rajiv Thakar joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in 2017 having previously worked in the marine claims market. Prior to this he was at sea for sixteen years, sailing on tankers and OBOs with command experience. He has a Masters in Maritime Law from the prestigious University of Southampton.

Captain Rajiv Thakar handles and advises on all aspects of large marine casualties including Salvage, General Average, Cargo Claims, Recoveries and Settlement, with emphasis on keeping costs to a minimum. He has taken cases to Arbitrations, Mediations and Courts in England and other jurisdictions and has an excellent track record of significant recoveries in cases involving fire, explosion, collision, grounding, sinking, capsizing, charterparty disputes, main / auxiliary engine failure, rudder / propeller failure, alleged heavy weather, piracy, cargo shifting / overboard, cargo contamination, cargo shortage, fraud, etc.

Combining his practical experience at sea, legal knowledge from LL.M. Maritime Law and investigative and negotiation skills makes him an expert at preparing and developing cases on unseaworthiness, deviation, and other breaches of contract and beating the “fire”, “negligence in the navigation and management of the vessel” and “perils of the sea” exceptions under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act / Hague Visby Rules.

Paul Friett – Claims Director, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe) Limited

Email: pfriett@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:    +44 203 859 9043

Paul joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in June 2009 and has been involved in the Insurance industry for more than 40 years.

He originally worked for an Aviation Broker, before joining a major international Insurer in their Marine Claims Department. Paul has experience in dealing with all types of Marine Cargo claims, including coordination of major catastrophe losses and project cargoes.

Paul deals with cargo claims from notification to conclusion and is also responsible for General Average and Salvage matters, as well as having been involved in development and training within the Group.

Sarah Essex Cert CII (Claims) – Cargo Claims Manager, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe) Limited

Email: sessex@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:    +44 203 859 9039

Sarah joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in February 2008 following extensive involvement in the property market. Sarah undertook various roles within this sector, including managerial and operational development.

Sarah has progressed from an administrative role through to managing the cargo claims division. Sarah handles cargo claims from notification to conclusion liaising with all relevant parties involved during the process, mainly dealing with principals in the Far East.

Sarah is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and qualified Cert CII (Claims).

Gemma Reilly – Senior Claims Adjuster, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe)

Email:  greilly@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9037

Gemma joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in October 2016 as a Claims Administrator. She has proved a very quick learner and successfully completed a Certificate in Marine Insurance, provided by the Lloyds Maritime Academy.

In January 2022 Gemma was promoted to Senior Claims Adjuster continuing to handle all manner of cargo claims within W.E. Cox, including the management of a large TPA portfolio.

Riva Thakar – Cert CII (Claims) Marine Claims Adjuster, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe)

Email:  rithakar@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9066

Riva joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in May 2022 as Trainee Marine Claims Adjuster, having previously worked in personal line claims, motor debt recovery, property and liability insurance sales with a leading UK insurer.

Riva has a Level 3 Certificate in Insurance from the prestigious Chartered Insurance Institute.  As Marine Claims Adjuster, she fosters global client relations and is an important member of a team handling large TPA accounts

Katie Boatman – Claims Assistant, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Europe)

Email:  kboatman@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9033

Katie joined the team in July 2017, she works as a claims assistant to the Recoveries team in setting up new claims and assigning the claims handlers their weekly diary files. She works closely with the claims handlers in chasing their files for updates and time extensions as well as putting them in the diary system. She has an interest in learning about the industry and developing her skills through supporting members of the Recoveries team.

In October 2021 Katie moved across to the Claims team and now supports the team handling all manner of cargo claims within the claims division.

Sue Smith – Group Director

Email:  ssmith@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel:       +44 161 772 0755
Mob:    +44 7715 416278

Sue joined PCL Claims Ltd in August 2014 and is now Group Director of W E Cox Claims Group Limited.

Having spent 31 years working in the marine insurance industry, Sue is recognised as being a leading expert in the field of Marine Cargo and Freight Liability, handling all types of claims across all modes of transport.

Over the years, having dealt with many varied, high profile and complex cases, Sue has built up an extensive knowledge of international transport and cargo, as well as a sound understanding of the many varied international legal conventions which apply. She has participated in Arbitrations, Mediation’s and court cases requiring litigation overseas and in the UK. Sue has extensive knowledge of the UK and European Insurance market resulting in strong client relationships throughout.

In addition to her claims expertise, Sue has knowledge in subrogation, General Average and Salvage, marine policy consideration and technical auditing.

Sue provides support and assistance in the managing of the business to meet our clients needs.

Diane Lynch – Senior Claims Adjuster

Email:   dlynch@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel:       +44 161 772 0755

Diane has worked in the Marine Industry for in excess of 15 years, with her experience concentrated to two of the largest worldwide insurers. Diane has gained expertise in Marine Cargo, Broker Schemes, Defence & Freight Liability, Marine Trades, Hull & Machinery (including fishing vessels and pleasurecraft).

Reaching the position of Claims Team Manager, Diane was responsible for high level and complex losses, and provided expertise to the follow markets to Lloyd’s of London.

Diane joined the expanding team of PCL as Senior Claims Adjuster in June 2016.

Tracey Fox – Senior Claims Adjuster

Email: tfox@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel: +44 161 772 0755

Tracey entered the Marine Industry 16 years ago and has spent all of that time previously with a global insurance company. Her main expertise is in the Freight Liability claims sector but she also has experience with Marine Cargo, Trades and Broker Schemes as well as the associated recoveries. Tracey has built up relationships with brokers and haulage contractors over the years and has shared her knowledge providing claims training on many occasions.

Zoe Mellish – Claims Adjuster

Email:  zmellish@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel:      +44 161 772 0755

Zoe has worked in the Marine Industry for the last 7 years. Her employment in the Marine Claims Department of a leading international insurer, gave significant exposure to all elements of Marine Losses, principally Defence & Freight Liability, HGPE and Marine Cargo.

Zoe Joined the expanding team of PCL Claims in the position of Claims Adjuster in June 2016.

Sarah Bolger – Claims Adjuster

Email:  SBolger@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel:      +44 161 772 0755

Sarah joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in June 2018 having previously worked as a recoveries expert for a large international insurer. Sarah has extensive knowledge of all national and international conventions with a particular emphasis on UK and European haulage claims.

Sarah transferred her skills moving to the Marine Cargo Claim Team in 2020

Stephen Smith – Admin Assistant, Claims

Email: smsmith@pclclaims.co.uk

Tel:      +44 161 772 0755

Stephen has worked in the General Insurance claims industry for 32 years. He’s held claims handling, loss adjusting, technical expert and leadership roles throughout his career within multinational insurance companies, claims consultants and loss adjusting companies. Stephen joined PCL Claims Limited in May 2021 and is responsible for administrative duties and support to the team for Cargo, Freight Liability and Recoveries.

Marie-Laure Mirrione – European Director

Email: MarieLaureMirrione@w-e-cox.eu
Mob: 00 33 7 79 73 34 96

Marie-Laure has over 30 years’ experience and has always worked in environments in the Shipping and Marine Insurance industry, commencing with an editor of a shipping guide on French and African ports. Marie-Laure then moved to work with a P&I Club correspondent as Marketing Director. Keen to always maintain skills at the best level, she graduated from Kedge Business School (Euromed Marseille) in 2003, with an MBA.

Marie-Laure has considerable experience of the Marine Insurance and of the African Continent and was appointed in 2005 Managing Director of a leading marine survey company. Over the years, she has constantly trained in Marine Claims Handling and Recoveries, and she is now pursuing exams with the aim of becoming a Fellow of the Association of Average Adjusters in London.

Marie-Laure brings with her a wealth of marine and GIT expertise, both cargo and Hull and Machinery, and operates equally in both mainland Europe and the African Continent. Amongst other things, she will be involved in Surveys, Claims Handling and Recoveries.

She joined CWH Europe on 1st September 2016 and is based at our Marseille Office.

As many of you will know W E Cox has had a surveying presence in France since 2016, firstly with CWH Europe and following the 2018 merger with E.L. Johnson’s Sons & Mowat, CWH Johnsons International. With offices in Lille and Marseille and a dedicated team of surveyors across Europe, CWH Johnsons International has developed into one of the leading marine, cargo and freight liability surveying companies in Europe. Naturally we have received requests to assist beyond surveying and are delighted to be able to announce the launch our new European Head Office in France, W E COX CLAIMS GROUP (EU) SAS.

Neoclis Kleanthous – Casualty and Complex Claims Manager

Email: NKleanthous@w-e-cox.co.uk

DD: +44 20 3859 9063

Neoclis is a qualified solicitor and has significant experience in shipping, working both within a Law Firm and as a Recovery Agent. Neoclis deals with all aspects of shipping law including claims and recoveries involving physical loss / damage to cargo, general average, salvage indemnity and marine insurance. He has been involved in High Court proceedings and LMAA arbitration and is an expert of complex and high value matters.

Neoclis obtained an LLB from University of Surrey in 2016, an LLM in Maritime Law from University of Southampton in 2017 and an LPC Degree in 2020. He participated in the STAR programme for high achievers of University of Surrey and obtained two prizes for the best academic performance in the LLM. Neoclis is also a visiting lecturer of Maritime and Marine Insurance Law at a private university. Neoclis speaks English and Greek and is based in our newly opened branch office of W E COX CLAIMS GROUP (EU) SAS in Cyprus.

Twinnie Lai – Senior Claims Manager, CEEMIS Far East Ltd

Email:  twinnie@ceemis.com.hk
Tel:      +852 2573 7770

After graduating in 2006, Twinnie had a brief spell in office administration before joining W. E. Cox Claims Group in the summer of 2007.

By demonstrating an aptitude for personal organisation and problem-solving, Twinnie’s role has significantly expanded through successive promotions to reflect her growing skill set to include client account management and claims team supervisory responsibilities.

Twinnie’s expertise includes handling high-volume and complex marine cargo claims; freight forwarder liability claims; stock throughput and local risk management assessments; and co-ordinating casualty and catastrophic events investigations.

Twinnie is an effective written and oral communicator in Cantonese, Mandarin and English and is dedicated building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and agents in the region and around the world, whilst reporting directly to the board of W.E. Cox Claims Group.

Maris Hui – Claims Adjuster (CEEMIS Far East Ltd.)

Email: Maris.Hui@ceemis.com.hk

Tel:     +852 2545 9808

Maris holds the Professional Diploma in Insurance and has worked in the Marine Industry for 3 years before joining the W.E. Cox Claims Group in 2021 as a Claims Adjuster. Her employment in the Marine Claims Department of a leading international insurer, gaining experience in assessing marine claim cases and connecting with different parties involved.

Her main duties include finalizing claims and providing comments on loss prevention.

Frank Lam – Claims Assistant (CEEMIS Far East Ltd.)

Email:  Frank.Lam@ceemis.com.hk
Tel:      +852 2573 7770

After graduation in a local university, Frank has worked in a leading insurance company as an Intern for more than a year.  He joined the W.E. Cox Claims Group in 2021 and assists the team with credit control, managing file registering system.

He has proved to be a very quick learner so he started taking part in cargo claims assessment which includes daily communications with principals, surveyors and insurance brokers.

Paul Sansom – Managing Director, W.E. Cox Claims Group Pte Limited

Email:   psansom@w-e-cox.com.sg
Tel:       +65 6438 3375

Paul has been involved in the Marine Claims industry since 1986, when he joined a Global Marine Claims group.

Prior to that, Paul attained the level of Second Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy, sailing on various types of Cargo Vessels and achieved a Degree in Maritime Commerce at the University of Wales.

Since 1986, Paul has held Director positions in both the UK and Asia and has extensive knowledge of all types of Marine Losses, including Cargo, General Average and Salvage, Liability and Surveys, especially in Asia, where he has worked for a majority of the past 20 years.

Helen Cher

Title: Manager

E-mail: hcher@w-e-cox.com.sg

Mobile: + 65 9369 6338

Helen has gained vast experience since entering the maritime insurance industry 20 years ago having worked in several international Insurance Companies, a broking firm, as an Average Adjuster and in a Marine Claims Consultancy Group.

Prior to joining WE Cox Claims Group, Helen was heading the Marine Insurance Department of a renowned Shipowner dealing with various types of maritime losses.

Helen is an Associate with The Association of Average Adjusters and has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of maritime losses including cargo claims handling, liability, General Average & Salvage and subrogation

Daniel Tay

Title: Executive Officer, Cargo Claims

Email:  dtay@w-e-cox.com.sg

Office : +65 6438 3375

Merchant Navy officer on various foreign going vessels. Marine hull, cargo surveyor, investigator and marine risks assessor (21 years). Hull, yacht & cargo claims handling (executive to senior claims manager) in an international insurance company in Singapore.

Rosmawati Suhamai

Title: Assistant Manager, Cargo Claims

Email: rsuhamai@w-e-cox.com.sg

Office : +65 6438 3375

Rosmawati joined the W.E. Cox Claims Group in March 2008. Prior to joining W.E. Cox, Rosmawati has worked for a global claims settling agent for four years handling marine claims.

Floria Lee

Title: Claims Executive, Cargo Claims

Email: flee@w-e-cox.com.sg

Office : +65 6438 3375

Floria joined the company in 2014 and handles the Claims Administration aspect of the department – mainly in relation to remittances (inwards/payments), taxation, statistics and file management

Jerome Chong

Email:  jchong@w-e-cox.com.sg
Tel:      +65 6438 2275

Jerome began his career in Insurance handing Personal Lines Claims and then moving on to Commercial and later Marine Claims. Jerome has previously worked in a number of Insurance firms as well as a Global Claims Settling Agent prior to joining the W.E. Cox Claims Group in 2008.

Dennis Wee

Email:  dwee@w-e-cox.com.sg
Tel:      +65 6438 3375

Joined WE Cox Claims Group Singapore office back in 1^st August 2020 as Claims Officer to the Claims and Recoveries team

Assisting in setting up new claims and recoveries for claims handlers and their weekly diary files. Updates each status reports and time extensions and putting in diary system.

Other portfolio includes, debt recoveries for outstanding payments. Handling bordereaux reports and new claims

John Ambler |Claims Manager

Email:  JAmbler@w-e-cox.com.au 
Tel:      +61 2 8051 3135
Direct:  +61 410 357 497

Our claims manager for Australia, John Ambler has worked in marine insurance in various roles and locations since he entered the industry in 1990.

With a career of more than three decades in broking, claims and underwriting roles in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and London.

John comes with a wealth of experience and technical knowledge as well as rounded perspective of marine claims.

Over the course of his career, John has gain experience from working various sub-classes of marine including all types of cargo, commercial hull, protection and indemnity, freight and logistics liabilities,  charterer’s liabilities, Ship builders, ship repairers, war and piracy risks, ports and terminals as well as professional indemnity risks for shoreside maritime professionals.

John’s primary role is to provide a broad spectrum of claims services to the Australian Marine Insurance industry.

Joshua F. Gayer – Sr. Marine Cargo Claims Specialist

Email: jgayer@w-e-cox.com

Phone: +1570 664 6802

Joshua F. Gayer recently joined our team in the USA office. Before becoming part of the W.E. Cox Claims Group, Josh was with The Walters Nixon Group, providing bespoke insurance solutions, including legal analysis, claim investigations, settlement negotiations, and general consulting services to insurers in the maritime, mass transit, transportation, and construction fields. He also served as the exclusive adjuster with WNG for claims through Concept Special Risk across the Eastern USA, Canada and the Caribbean.

Josh graduated from Union College of Schenectady, NY with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a minor in Chemistry. He received his JD degree from Florida State University College of Law, and is a member of the bar of New Jersey. He went on to earn an MBA degree from Rutgers Business School.

Allison Conklin – Claims Administrator

Email: AConklin@w-e-cox.com

Phone: +1570 629 8401

Allison has joined W. E. Cox Claims group as a Claims Administrator as of April 2023 assisting the USA Claims department and Sr. Claims Adjustor on daily tasks ensuring the departments productivity and client support.  Prior to her joining the group, Allison had experience in Logistics and Data Analytics.  Allison graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Economics.  She is working towards her MBA degree from DeSales University.

Patricia Flood – Claims Administrator

Email: PFlood@w-e-cox.com

Phone: +1 570 629 8401

Patti joined our group in June of 2022 bringing along with her over 35 years’ experience in the Insurance industry covering Health, Dental and Life Insurance as well as Customer Examiner and Administrative Assistance experience.  Throughout her career, Patti made significant contributions to several large insurance companies, culminating with one of the largest health insurers in the US, where she concluded her tenure after dedicating 21 years of her professional life. Even after her early retirement, Patti continued to display an admirable level of dedication and enthusiasm towards her work.  Prior to her current role as a claims administrator for W. E. Cox Claims Group, Patti served at a credit union where she adeptly managed basic teller responsibilities, provided exceptional customer service, and efficiently handled loan processing.  Patti’s extensive experience and continued dedication to her work make her an asset to our team.