Norwegian marine insurer Skuld has taken on Helen Yiacoumis to head up its Piraeus-based freight, demurrage and defence team (FD&D).

Yiacoumis joins from protection and indemnity insurer North P&I Club's FD&D practice in the Greek city, where she has been for 18 years before deciding to make the move over to Skuld.

She will join Skuld after completing her contractual obligations at North P&I.

North P&I’s FD&D team is regarded as one of the strongest and largest in the business and the move will be seen as quite a coup for Skuld.

FD&D has been a key growth area for P&I insurers as shipowners face increased legal pressures from regulation such as IMO 2020.

In response, P&I mutuals have been building up their FD&D teams as a strategy to extend legal services to members and there has been intense competition for legal talent.

“Providing members with access to expert legal advice in shipping disputes is one of the key services in our global operations,” Skuld chief executive Stale Hansen said.

“Helen’s vast legal experience in handling FD&D claims will be an invaluable asset not only to our members in Greece but also to Skuld in general. We are very pleased to welcome Helen to our team.”

She started her career at London law firm Holman, Fenwick and Willan where she worked between 1999 and 2001.

Yiacoumis said: “The Skuld Piraeus team has a strong reputation in the local Greek market and I very much look forward to working closely with the team to continue to provide excellent service and support to Skuld’s members and clients.”