David Cox – Chairman

Email: dcox@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:    +44 203 859 9052
Mob:   +44 7968 149882

David joined the Group in March 1981 having previously worked in the Underwriting room at Lloyds’ of London for 2 years working on Beckett’s box, syndicate 483.

David has always worked in the recoveries division of the Group, negotiating claims with opponents both in “face to face” meetings and in correspondence using his knowledge and experience to try and secure the highest possible recovery from responsible third parties on behalf of cargo owners/insurers.

In addition to managing a full case load for the past 35 years, building on the solid foundations laid by his Father, W. E. Cox, the founder of the company, David has actively been involved in expanding and diversifying both the services offered by the Group, to provide knowledge, expertise and assistance in all matters relating to cargo/marine insurance and opening offices manned by their own expert staff in strategic parts of the world including, Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland Europe, Australia and the U.S.A.

David has been at the “helm” since his father’s retirement in 1998 and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of jointly managing the business with his son Michael, maintaining a case load and continuing to travel around the world to maintain and establish new relationships with clients and opponents around the world.

Michael Cox – Managing Director

Email:  mcox@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9035
Mob:    +44 7919 368035

Michael joined W.E. Cox & Co. (Recoveries) Ltd in 2003 and is now Managing Director of W.E. Cox Claims Group Limited.

Michael has extensive knowledge of all cargo matters and the various national and international conventions covering movements by sea, air, road and rail, working on behalf of Insurers and brokers, as well as directly on behalf of large cargo owners. Michael is a confident negotiator and regularly attends settlement meetings with Carriers/P&I Clubs whilst also assisting clients with contract negotiations, loss control and data capture.

Michael travels extensively around world to meet the needs of international clients whilst maintaining a significant presence in the London Market.

Robert Emanuel – Director, W.E. Cox & Co. (Recoveries) Limited

Email:  remanuel@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9054

Robert joined the W.E. Cox Claims Group in September 2010 and was appointed to the Board of W.E. Cox & Co. (Recoveries) Ltd in December 2011.

Robert has been handling Marine Claims and Cargo Recoveries for more than 30 years. He passed the examinations and qualified as a Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and in addition, has also completed the qualifying examinations and was subsequently elected as an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has experience both as a claimant and defendant having worked for a major British Shipowner. Robert joined his last company when the company was founded in 1989 and later he was promoted to the Board of Directors where he took over the running of the company as Managing Director in 2003.

Whilst Robert is highly experienced in all cargo claims, his foremost interest is in CMR, Bulk Commodity Cargoes and Heavy Weather Maritime Claims, the latter as they involve the contentious issues of Perils of the Sea. Robert also has sound knowledge of the Italian language.

Ardna Delissen-Curran – Director

Email:  adcurran@w-e-cox.co.uk
Mob:    +44 7860 919710

Ardna joined W.E. Cox & Co (Recoveries) in January 2014.

Ardna has over 30 years’ experience in handling cargo claims, having entered the Industry as a graduate in 1982. At her former company she rose to the level of Director in her late twenties and became Managing Director in 2000.   Ardna specialises in large Casualty cases, assisting clients with GA/Salvage requirements whilst also handling the Recovery element. She has built up an extensive knowledge of the technical, legal and risk aspects of carrying cargoes by sea, air and land and has handled many complex/high profile cases, including those requiring litigation Overseas and in the UK, the preparation/attendance at Arbitrations, Court cases and Mediation hearings

Ardna has travelled extensively in the Far East, China, Europe and more recently South America and has developed strong client relationships over her 30 year period in the industry. She particularly enjoys this aspect of her role and in sharing her extensive knowledge/experience with the market.

Tim Wardlaw – Head of Legal, Solicitor

Email:  twardlaw@w-e-cox.co.uk
DDI:     +44 203 859 9053 

Tim Wardlaw brings further specialised experience and expertise to the Group and is the first qualified marine solicitor to join the company. He began his professional life in the 1980s specialising in cargo claims at Clyde & Co. when he counted us amongst his clients. Having been a partner in a leading maritime law firm he joins us as In House Legal Counsel. Tim has dealt in most aspects of Bills of Lading and charterparty claims and has handled numerous unseaworthiness cases as well as Piracy, Salvage, Collisions, Groundings, and General Average matters including the management of litigation, mediation and arbitration. Tim is also well versed in international carriage of goods by road (CMR).

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.

Kathleen Tems – Personal Assistant

Kath first joined the W.E. Cox Claims Group in 1985, working at their Head Office in Gravesend in various positions within the Recoveries team.

In 2005, Kath took the opportunity to move to the London Office and has developed her knowledge of Subrogated Recoveries where she works very closely with Michael Cox on all claims and recoveries matters.

Kath has established a very good relationship with our London and Overseas clients, as well as many of our opponents.

Karen Saffery – Assistant to David W Cox, Chairman

Having worked for over 30 years in the oil industry in various roles, Karen joined W.E. Cox & Co (Recoveries) in 2015 originally assisting the Recoveries Team in the London office.  Karen now works closely with David Cox, Chairman of the Group, in a supporting role and is an important and valued member of the team.

Samuel Busby – Recoveries Adjuster

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

Sam joined W.E. Cox in February 2021 as a Recoveries Adjustor after graduating with a First-Class degree in International Business Management from the University of Lincoln. His studies gave him a deep understanding of international business and trade, political economy, the European market and how business is approached differently around the world. Having lived in four countries Sam has a keen interest and understanding of the importance of culture and how differing cultures affect business. Sam is looking forward to applying his global experiences and knowledge to become a successful member of the Recoveries team while taking full advantage of meeting and expanding our global client network. Sam is furthering his education in the Insurance and Adjusters field by undertaking the ACII and other professional qualifications.

Peter Sumner – Senior Recoveries Adjuster

Email:  psumner@w-e-cox.co.uk
Tel:      +44 20 3935 0552

Peter joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in March 2023 and has over 25 years’ experience working in the Marine Industry. Peter initially worked for one of the world’s leading Insurers in both their Manchester and London offices, handling Cargo and Freight Liability cases before moving to the Recoveries Team where he handled matters over all marine branches for 12 years. Subsequently, Peter was recruited by a global law firm to establish their pre-litigation Recoveries team working in conjunction with several UK and European Insurers.

Peter has a wide experience of marine matters, having handled claims and recovery actions across the marine book and in respect of both domestic and international cases, involving the customary blue water statutes of Hague / Visby and US COGSA and the transportation conventions of CMR, RHA, BIFA, Montreal / Warsaw.  He has been involved in a number of mediations personally and has worked in close cooperation with legal providers on proceedings both in England and overseas.

Alan Larbey – Recoveries Adjuster

Email:  alarbey@w-e-cox.co.uk
Mob:     +44 7776 147773

Alan has in excess of 20 years’ experience in the Maritime Insurance industry. His previous employment includes working for a UK based Overseas claims settling agent and a leading Insurer in the Marine market. Alan joined PCL Claims in 2001 when the company was formed and has built strong client relationships as well as developed new client accounts.

Alan’s main areas of expertise lie in Cargo, Freight Liability, Pleasure Craft and Personal Injury claims, although experience has been gained in other areas of Marine matters. Alan’s role as Director of Claims allows him to provide training both internally and externally as well as handling complex claims.

Owen Brunsden – Senior Recovery Adjuster

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

Owen joined W.E. Cox Claims Group in September 2019 and has worked in the Marine Industry for 5 years and the wider insurance industry for 12 years, mainly with one of the world’s leading Marine Insurers. Owen has gained expertise primarily in Marine Recoveries and Subrogation but also has experience with Reinsurance, Catastrophic loss analysis and MI/Reporting.
Over the years he has handled many large and complex recoveries and developed a broad knowledge of international and domestic transportation conventions such as CMR, Montreal/Warsaw, Hague/Visby, Carmack, HGB, RHA, BIFA etc. He has worked closely with various legal suppliers at home and abroad and has travelled within the UK and overseas for mediation.

Stephen Smith – Admin Assistant, Claims, Manchester

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.

Celia Chan – Senior Recoveries Manager

Email: CChan@w-e-cox.com.hk

Tel: +852 2573 7685

After graduating in 1998, I had been working in a recovery company, Toplis & Harding (Recoveries) Ltd, mainly handling recovery duties, including recovery action against different types of logistics providers, negotiating the claim with the carrier, shipowner, P & I Clubs to secure the highest possible recovery from them.  In 2009, I joined a forwarding company “Panalpina China Ltd”, and worked as an in-house claim handler responsible for handling Panalpina’s Freight Forwarder Liability and General Commercial Liability Claim for Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Thailand, South China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.   Since my time in the Maritime industry, I have developed extensive knowledge of all matters involving cargo and freight forwarder’s liability, (e.g. cargo loss, damage, delay, mis delivery, misdirection, uncollected cargoes and general average). I have also developed close relationships with surveyors, lawyers and adjusters, they assist to speed up the settling process and meet client’s requirements.

Following the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in Shipping Technology and Management, I am an ACII member of Accredited Chartered Insurance Institute Insurer and have been awarded as Accredited Mediator at the Hong Kong Mediation Centre.  I am a native Cantonese speaker and fluent in Mandarin and English.

Phyllis Lee – General Office Manager, W.E. Cox Claims Group (Hong Kong)

Email:  phyllis@w-e-cox.com.hk
Tel:      +852 2573 7770

Originally from Hong Kong, Phyllis received her secondary and higher education in the UK.  On attaining her Bachelor’s Degree, Phyllis returned to Hong Kong to take up the post of Group Administration and Personnel Manager for a large bar and restaurant chain.

Phyllis Joined W.E. Cox Claims Group’s Hong Kong Branch in 2004 as Office Administrator.  Responsibilities in the role soon expanded as the Hong Kong Office expanded beyond Recovery Handling to include Claim Settling, Survey Operations, Freight Forwarder liability and Risk Management investigations.

Phyllis is now General Office Manager working closely with the Group Company Secretary in the administration of the accounts for the three Group companies operating in Hong Kong.  In addition to responsibility for Company compliance with local regulations, Phyllis also conducts many HR functions that relate to payroll and tax/pension/medical contributions and liabilities.

Phyllis is a native Cantonese speaker, is fluent in Putonghua and fluent in both spoken and written English.

Angela Law

Email:  angela@w-e-cox.com.hk
Tel:      +852 2573 7770

After graduating with a Business Practice/Secretarial and Administration Diploma, Angela worked for five years as an Administrative Clerk at a manufacturing company. Angela joined the Hong Kong office in June 2006.

As a long-established member of the team, Angela is now responsible for administrative duties across all Group activities including (but not limited to) business company registry searches, Lloyd’s List Intelligence Searches and reports, Recovery database inputs/updates, computer technical support, and other valuable secretarial support including receptionist duties. Angela assists Alice in the management of Underwriter account reporting in the form of the preparation and maintenance of bordereaux data.

Angela’s language skills include Cantonese, Putonghua and English.

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.

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

Jenny Leong – Assistant Manager, Recoveries

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

Office: +65 6438 3375

Jenny started her career with several international loss adjusting firms before joining W E Cox in June 2021.

In addition to time in the loss adjusting profession,  Jenny has more than 35 years of experience handling personal lines, travel claims, work injury claims, Aviation, Trade Credit and general claims for insurers.  This includes public liability claims, fidelity guarantee, property damage and including transportation liability claims, marine and road transit claims.

Before joining W E Cox, Jenny headed a third party administration team handling claims for various insurers.  She also managed a taskforce handling work injury claims which reviewed, investigated, assessed and settled these claims.  As a leader, her role includes representing insurers at labour and civil courts and settlement negotiations with lawyers.  Coupled with her experience, she was a claims advisor for a multi-national Broking firm for 11 years providing claim management services to achieve amicable settlement in the shortest possible time.

Jenny’s experience within W E Cox Claims involves primarily in pursuing third party subrogation claims on behalf of cargo interest; with a view of negotiating settlements under the terms and conditions of the contracts.

Tisha Yogaraj – Manager

E-mail: tishankry@wecox.com.my

TEL: +603 3342 8962

With over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry, Tisha has developed comprehensive expertise across various classes of general insurance, including all types of Liability and Financial Lines insurance, Marine Insurance, Motor Third-Party Bodily Injury claims as well as Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed subrogation recovery, skillfully negotiating claims settlements and fostering strong relationships with clients and industry partners alike.

Tisha is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with adjusters, insurers, lawyers, and surveyors to ensure optimal outcomes for all parties involved. Her extensive experience also includes compliance work in the life insurance sector, where attention to detail and regulatory adherence are paramount.

A natural people person, Tisha excels in building rapport with clients, ensuring their needs are understood and met with professionalism and empathy. Her dedication to service and commitment to achieving the best results has made her a valuable asset to the team.

In her current role, Tisha manages the Malaysia team for Subrogation Recovery, focusing on optimizing strategies and enhancing team performance to achieve successful outcomes.

Thiruna Jayshan Jayakumar – Legal Officer

Email:  Thiruna@wecox.com.my
Tel:      +603 3342 8962

Thiruna holds a Law degree from University of London and recently joined the team in Malaysia. She is experienced in dealing with people from various industries and is always dedicated in maintaining good working relationship with people. She is meticulous and carefully advocates her clients’ interests in order to achieve favourable results.

Beyond the law, Thiruna’s interests include photography, reading and running.

Ellessa Goh – Legal Officer

Email:  Ellessa@wecox.com.my

Tel: +603 3342 8962

Ellessa had completed her Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB) from University of Oxford Brookes in 2019, before obtaining her Masters in Law (LLM) from University Malaya. She has recently joined W.E. Cox Group in June 2022 with the position of Legal Officer.

Nordahayu Abd Karim – Office Administrator

Email: nordahayu@wecox.com.my

Tel: +603 33428962

Nordahayu joined our Malaysian Office as an Office Administrator in December 2022. Nordahayu holds a degree in Bachelor of Administrative Science with Honours from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM).

Niall Orr – Director

Email:   norr@w-e-cox.com.au
Tel:       +61 2 8249 4477
Mob:    +61 414 072 764

Niall previously worked as an in-house solicitor for a large Australian insurer focused on ocean, air and land subrogated cargo recovery claims, freight forwarder liabilities and policy interpretation.  As a qualified lawyer, Niall is well-versed in the applicable international Conventions and Rules, interpretation of carriage agreements and is skilled in dispute resolution working on complex contentious carriers liability claims to achieve strong commercial settlements for his clients.  Niall has a Juris Doctor (Law) from Australia and a Bachelor of Arts from the U.K.

Niamh McKeown | Marine Associate

Email: nmckeown@w-e-cox.com.au

TEL: +61 2 8051 3139

Mob: +61 420 229 322

Niamh has previously worked as a Cargo Casualty Adjuster for an Average Adjusting firm based in the UK, as well as spending some time in the shipping agency market.

As an Associate of the Average Adjusters, her experience includes matters of General Average and Salvage Security for major cargo casualties as well as making contributions to Hull & Machinery Claims.

Transitioning into the agency market, Niamh navigated the intricacies of import and export logistics, freight forwarding, inventory management, and warehousing. This has provided a well-rounded perspective of the shipping market, which enables Niamh to offer solutions tailored to client needs.

Niamh is based in our Australia office, however also supports our European office with Recoveries, Subrogation and Casualty Services.

Catherine Bergstresser – Director

Email:  CBergstresser@w-e-cox.com
DDI:     +1 570 664 6801

Since joining the Group in April 2010, Cathy has been successfully negotiating subrogation claims to include cargo losses involving the carriage of goods by sea, road, rail and air as well as property damage claims involving hull, yacht and property losses for our U.S. office. Her experience in these various areas has fostered excellent working relationships with opponents across North America. In recognition of Cathy’s excellent work she was promoted to Director of W.E. Cox Claims Group (USA) LLC in January 2023.

Cathy earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a minor in Marketing/Advertising, previously holding a Marketing Management position handling the management and coordination of all “visual” merchandising for the industry’s largest commercial home improvement accounts.

John Olson – Consulting Adjuster

Email:  JOlson@w-e-cox.com

John Eric Olson has practiced transportation, aviation and maritime law for over 40 years.  He is a member of the bars of New York and New Jersey and a member of the Maritime Law Association. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Rutgers University and studied in a foreign law program at Stockholm University.

Most of his career before becoming associated with the W.E. Cox Claims Group was with the prestigious maritime and transportation law firm of Hill Rivkins LLP in New York. He rose from associate, to partner, then to Senior partner.  Prior to working at Hill Rivkins, he worked at an international law firm in Sweden.

During his career he has been involved in some of the largest and most significant maritime, transportation and insurance cases.  He has litigated, arbitrated and engaged in mediation on the many transportation claims he handled.  He has also defended NVOCC’s and has defended insurance companies and given advice on coverage to insurance companies on coverage and liability issues.

Claudette Moore-Madhoo – Recovery Manager

Email: cmoore-madhoo@w-e-cox.com
DDI:  +1 570 664 6811

Claudette joined the Group in July 2017 and has been successfully negotiating subrogation claims to include cargo losses involving the carriage of goods by sea, road and air. In recognition of Claudette’s excellent work she was promoted to Recovery Manager in January 2023

She emigrated to the USA from Guyana in December 2016 and comes with 21 years’ of working experience in the Sugar Industry handling Human Resources and Occupational Safety and Health responsibilities. Claudette holds certification in Human Resources Management and Occupational Health and Safety Management both from the University of Guyana and the Institute of Commercial Management- UK and has also completed the AIMU course of study for Ocean Marine Claim Examiner.

Nicole Gonzalez  – Recovery Associate & Support

Email: ngonzalez@w-e-cox.com

DDI: +1 570 664 6807 

Nicole recently joined our team in the USA. Her core responsibilities focus on supporting our recovery department to maintain our long-term client relationships. She is also successfully negotiating subrogation claims to include cargo losses involving the carriage of goods by sea, road and air.

Nicole has an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Northampton Community College. Prior to joining our USA team, Nicole has plenty of experience working in a large retailer’s receiving department. She has also effectively managed her small businesses from home for the past 7 years selling woman’s clothing.

Alice Solis – Recovery Adjuster

Email: Asolis@w-e-cox.com

DDI: +1 570-801-8952

Alice Solis joined W.E. Cox Claims Group (USA) LLC in 2023 as a recovery adjustor assisting the Recoveries Team.  Alice has previous experience with first party cargo claims working 5 years with a produce company handling under policy deductible claims directly with local inland carriers.  She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge with the W.E. Cox Claims Group Family.