FOIL elects Howard Dean as 2025 president

As FOIL’s new President, Howard Dean prepares to guide the organisation through a challenging landscape of legal reform and industry change.

The Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL) has elected Howard Dean (pictured), a partner at Keoghs, as its president for 2025. He succeeds Pete Allchorne, partner at DAC Beachcroft.

Dean, who serves on FOIL’s costs and CPR and protocols sector focus teams, brings over 25 years of experience in civil justice reform, with expertise in civil procedure rules, litigation funding, and the digitisation of civil claims.

FOIL brings together 8,000 lawyers and paralegals that works at its 61 corporate members to create legal proposals which support the insurance industry and effect change. The membership body faces a pivotal year ahead, as the insurance industry adapts to economic and legal challenges under a new Labour government. Global events like conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, coupled with inflation, also add complexity.

In a press release, FOIL stated, “FOIL will continue acting as a sounding board and providing a voice of reason to its members and their clients as they respond to these pressures.”

Key priorities for 2025

Under Dean’s leadership, FOIL will address critical issues shaping the defendant insurance sector including civil justice reform issues like the review of the personal injury discount rate; recommended changes to the pre-action protocol; fixed recoverable costs reform, and more. Topics like diversity and inclusion, climate change, and the impact of artificial intelligence on legal practice will also remain central to FOIL’s agenda.

Dean has also emphasised the importance of engaging younger lawyers, noting the variety and opportunities within insurance law. FOIL, alongside Tomorrow’s FOIL, plans to highlight the sector’s relevance through initiatives such as addressing e-scooter legislation, young driver rules, and litigation involving medical expert costs.

On his appointment, Dean said: “Insurers and their lawyers are currently having to grapple with many headwinds, including claims inflation, emerging markets and regulatory change. FOIL will continue to provide a leading voice on the pressing issues impacting our members and their clients.”

Laurence Besemer, FOIL CEO, added: “Howard is an accomplished insurance lawyer who has been a member of the FOIL Executive Committee for several years already. He is an excellent choice to lead FOIL into 2025.”

Bridget Tatham, partner at Browne Jacobson, will serve as vice-president, supporting FOIL’s initiatives throughout the year.

Image provided by FOIL

Josie Geistfeld Josie is an editor for Claims Media. She welcomes feedback, comments, and opinion at josie.geistfeld@barkerbrooks.co.uk