Clarksons finance boss Jeff Woyda has taken over as chairman of mutual insurer International Transport Intermediaries Club (ITIC) with a promise of growth.

The executive, who is also chief operating officer at the UK shipbroker, is replacing Lars Safverstrom, who has served four years in the post.

Woyda thanked his predecessor for navigating the insurer through the pandemic, Brexit and its response to the war in Ukraine.

“Despite the challenging times, as a mutual insurer we have been able to continue to pay consistently high levels of continuity credits at renewal,” he said.

“The organisation is going from strength to strength, having achieved record levels of new business during Lars’ tenure.

“Our key areas of focus going forward are to extend our position as market leader in maritime transport services, providing extensive cover and outstanding service to all our members, whilst also further expanding into the aviation professional indemnity sector.”

ITIC provides indemnity cover to the marine, offshore, renewables and aviation industries.

Woyda has been a board member since 2014.

His career has spanned publicly listed and private companies.

Woyda’s position at Clarksons includes strategy, finance, IT and legal work, and he is the board member responsible for environmental, social and governance issues.

He is also the chairman of Maritech, which owns the broker’s Sea/ chartering platform.

The chartered accountant began his career at KPMG.

Safverstrom said: “Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position and he will undoubtedly be a great asset to ITIC as chairman.

“Jeff will play an important role continuing to deliver on ITIC’s strategic plans whilst maintaining the excellent health of the club.”