By: 17 December 2020
London FOIL appoints Ling Ong as president

Ling Ong, partner at Weightmans, has been appointed as the new president of London FOIL and will lead the organisation through the next year.

London FOIL is an arm of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, concentrating on the global insurance and reinsurance markets, including the challenges facing Lloyd’s of London.  

At the same time as Ong’s appointment, Gavin Coull, executive committee member and a partner at Birketts EC3 Legal, takes over as vice president of the organisation. 

Ong replaces Ingrid Hobbs, partner at Kennedys, whose presidency has had to navigate a year of unprecedented challenges for the London (re)insurance markets.

In 2021, the organisation will focus on the city’s business climate after Covid-19, expanding and developing its offering, including work on non-injury claims law, and Brexit

Commenting on her appointment, Ong said: “We are operating in unprecedented times and, as the new president of London FOIL, I look forward to steering the initiatives that London FOIL can offer to the London insurance and reinsurance market in addressing and dealing with the opportunities and challenges ahead of us.

She continued: “A number of disparate challenges currently exist for the London market, ranging from Covid-19 and Brexit, to climate change and environmental, social and governance issues.  As an organisation, we acutely understand the insurance and reinsurance landscape in London and are well-placed to play a role in solving these challenges.” 

FOIL chief executive Laurence Besemer said: “Ling is very well positioned to lead London FOIL in 2021 and ensure the organisation is leading the way in helping the London market navigate the remainder of the pandemic and other crucial market issues.”

“A seasoned veteran in insurance, Ling’s technical knowledge and expertise are great assets in finding the solutions the sector so desperately needs, and I am confident she will lead the organisation to great successes over the next year.”