James Gowen-Smith, Head of After The Event insurance at Miller
Miller is pleased to announce the hiring of James Gowen-Smith as its new Head of After The Event insurance. James’ hiring forms part of Miller’s Professional Risks team’s wider strategy to grow the range of expertise and products it can offer to clients. James will report into Joint Head of International Professional and Financial Risks, Ed Pickard.
Ed Pickard commented: “We’re excited to have James joining us at Miller. He brings with him an in-depth understanding of After The Event insurance, and how it can empower claimants during litigation proceedings. I’m confident the clients of the solicitors and litigation lawyers Miller works with will greatly benefit from the peace of mind this product offers.
James will be able to offer clients the benefit of his range of connections within the market to enable them to access this niche product. This new hire strengthens Miller’s position as a leading broker of professional, executive and financial risks in the London market, and enables us to offer greater value to our clients.”
James added: “Claimants face the financial exposure of having to pay an opponent’s legal costs in the event they are unsuccessful during legal proceedings. After The Event (ATE) insurance is an innovative product that enables litigation lawyers to help transfer the risk exposure of having to pay the other side’s legal costs in the event of an unsuccessful claim away from their client. By helping the claimant to minimise their litigation costs risk, it also sends a signal to larger, wealthier defendants that they cannot simply outspend a claimant and force them to settle.
Miller’s specialist knowledge and market relationships sets it apart, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to provide great ATE and litigation finance solutions for clients.”
James joins Miller from CKRe Limited, where he was Director of Professions. Before that, he spent time with Willis Towers Watson in their Financial and Executive Risk team, before which he was working in the legal sector with firms Simmons & Simmons and Allen & Overy.
