Press Release

OXYGEN INSURANCE BROKERS

ENTER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE MARKET

London, 27th March 2008 – Oxygen Insurance Brokers Ltd (Oxygen) has announced the creation of an Infrastructure Finance Team within its UK Corporate Risks Practice.  Based in Manchester, the team will focus on construction projects and post-construction operational risks for Private Finance Initiatives and Public Private Partnerships.  The team will provide due diligence services, risk management advice and insurance placement services.

The team is led by David Laughlin, who joins from Giles Insurance Brokers, along with Stuart Morley, Peter Critchley and Danielle Railton. 

Laughlin has over 25 years’ experience of both the London and Manchester insurance markets. He began his career in the Lloyd’s marketplace working in the International sector with Fortune 500 companies.  He went on to establish the first public sector unit for Sedgwick (Marsh) and became National PFI Practice Leader.

Morley and Critchley both have 20 years experience in this specialist area.  Morley has a breadth of experience in the contractor marketplace and is lead insurance advisor to public bodies on a large number of PFI projects.  Critchley worked in the public sector units at Marsh and recently led a number of projects for public bodies.

Commenting on the creation of the team, Tom Ernoult, Managing Director, Oxygen Insurance Brokers, said, “David and his colleagues presented a proposition which fits our strategic objective of hiring teams who are experts in their niche.  The team’s depth of expertise and breadth of specialist knowledge in this sector is exceptional.  Their move to Oxygen is another endorsement of our ability to attract the best talent in the market because we provide them with an environment in which they can excel.”

Also joining Oxygen is Vicky Railton.  Based in Manchester, Railton joins Oxygen’s existing Mergers and Acquisitions practice which is headed by Jim Rutherford in Glasgow.

Railton has considerable experience of providing due diligence and insurance advisory services for the private equity market having established a thriving practice from the ground up at Giles Insurance Brokers.

Speaking on the appointment, Sean Hicks, Head of UK Corporate Risks, said, “We are pleased to be taking the next step in building our national M&A Practice.  Manchester and the North West is an important private equity marketplace. Vicky’s experience and knowledge will enable us to expand our client base and enhance our service capability across the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Oxygen Insurance Brokers (OIB) is part of the Oxygen group of companies which include Oxygen Insurance Managers, Robertson Taylor Insurance Brokers and CRS Yachts. OIB is a Lloyd’s Broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

OIB provides a range of broking and risk management services through a distinct business model.  The UK Corporate Risks division serves medium to large corporate clients on a professional services platform wherein all services are charged on a transparent time-costed fee basis.  The Specialist Risks Division consists of a number of dynamic specialist broking teams providing highly expert advice in complex and niche areas of risk management and insurance. 

For more information visit:  www.oxygeninsurance.com.