Expect the unexpected
Speaking to Fish Farming Expert, Tom revealed: “We count amongst our international clients Cooke Aquaculture, Loch Duart, Kames Fish Farming, Grieg Seafood, and Scottish Salmon Company and have over 29, 000 policies in 50 countries.”
The 55-year-old has been with Sunderland Marine for over 35 years, and has been in the company’s aquaculture department since 1992, becoming the department’s managing director in 2010.
He reflects that, in that time the industry has changed considerably: “In 1992, we dealt with hundreds of individual fish farmers. The biggest change has been the industry’s consolidation into a smaller number of large producers. In Scotland alone, we had over 40 aquaculture clients in the 1990s. Today, the same premium is generated by less than 10 clients,” he observes.
However, while he feels that the threats facing the industry might have changed over time, the element of risk has remained a constant.
“Aquaculture clients have come to insure against all risks. If experience has taught us anything within the aquaculture industry it is to expect the unexpected,” he warns.
Tom is internationally renowned in the aquaculture insurance industry. He has represented client interests lecturing at events sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.
Sunderland Marine is the leading insurer to salmon, trout, and shellfish farmers in the UK, with clients ranging from the smallest to the largest operations, and Tom thinks he knows the reason behind their popularity.
“Sunderland Marine’s risk management resource is what sets us apart. We carry out surveys at all sites we insure, and provide free advice to clients,” he explains.
Tom succeeds Geoff Parkinson, who retired in June this year after 19 years at the helm and played a major role in negotiating Sunderland Marine’s acquisition by the 170 million GT ‘A’ rated North P&I Club in February 2014.
