The Association of Average Adjusters has applauded members who have achieved enhanced status after the latest examination rounds. The rigorous exams appraise the expertise of participants in adjusting, insurance, and legal matters.

At the Association’s annual conference in London on May 9, 2024, Burkhard Fischer, the chairman for 2023-24, announced exam successes which included the addition of two members to the list of Fellows. They are Capt Manoj Rappal Varrier, a vetting and clearance superintendent with BP Singapore Pte, and Deji Sasegbon of London solicitors Campbell Johnston Clark. Mr Fischer said it was noteworthy that both were with firms where an in-depth knowledge of average adjusting complemented other marine specialities.

Fellowship is the top accomplishment in the Association. Exam modules require candidates to have a detailed knowledge of their subjects, and the pass mark is 75% The Practical Adjustment paper when the candidates are required to show their adjusting skills lasts up to 7 hours.

Capt Varrier began a seagoing career as a cadet in 1990, rising to the rank of master mariner in 2002. He moved ashore in 2006 in technical management for a fleet in Jakarta, and five years later gained a degree as a master in maritime law from the University of London. While studying he became “passionate for and committed to the application of the principles and practice of marine insurance.” In 2012 he moved to BP Singapore and the following year became an Associate member of the AAA, and later a Senior Associate. Capt Varrier has become one of the few candidates not practising adjustment and one of the few master mariners to pass the adjusting exams. He said of his path to qualification: “Thanks to my acute interest in the subject and sincere efforts I have been able to attain this gold standard in marine insurance claims, despite earlier failures in various modules. I believe that failure in exams is an opportunity to learn more — I continued my studies and passed the Fellowship examinations.”

He added: “I appreciate the kindness and willingness of the Fellows of our Association to mentor people like me to progress and become a part of the Association.”

Mr Sasegbon is a senior associate solicitor in the London office of Campbell Johnston Clark. He is an experienced shipping and insurance practitioner, with more than 12 years in the industry. Before joining his current firm, he worked for over eight years in the London office of a leading international provider of professional services to the global insurance market. He has also worked with leading International Group P&I clubs.

He regularly advises on coverage issues in connection with a variety of marine insurance policy forms relating to hull and machinery, war risks, loss of hire, ports and terminals, cargo, yachts and marine liabilities. He also advises on some of the more specialist wordings.  In addition to his marine insurance expertise, Mr Sasegbon regularly acts for owners, charterers and P&I clubs in disputes relating to charterparties, contracts of affreightment and bills of lading, as well as collision and salvage claims. He has been involved in several significant and high-profile cases.  He is an experienced litigator, with a particular focus on English High Court proceedings and London arbitration.

Mr Sasegbon is a former chairman of the Lloyd’s Marine and Energy U35s Insurance Group, having also served as secretary, treasurer, and vice-chairman.

The three members of the Association who have most recently qualified as Senior Associates are Ronaldo Drège, Alice Duncan, and Ioanna Kafka.

Mr Drège is a director of Albatross Adjusters, a firm based in Limassol, Cyprus. As an average adjuster he has extensive knowledge gained from more than 25 years in the marine insurance field, with emphasis on the handling of complex General Average and salvage cases and of collection of securities to ensure fair outcomes for parties involved.

Mr Drège graduated from the Naval Military Academy in Buenos Aires and worked as chief operations officer with the United Nations Argentinian Task Force in Cyprus.  He is a member of the AMD (Association Mondiale de Dispacheurs/International Association of Average Adjusters). He said that his unwavering dedication to the average adjusting profession sparks his enthusiasm to stay informed in matters of marine insurance, compliance with international conventions, industry standards, and legal requirements, which ensure the smooth operation of the maritime insurance industry.

Ms Duncan is an average adjuster with Richards Hogg Lindley, London. After graduating from UCL with a degree in chemistry, she “followed my passion for travel, and explored SE Asia and Canada, and later took a working holiday in Australia.” During the Covid-19 lockdown she became “intrigued by the marine industry” through conversations with her father (Miles Duncan who is a former chairman of the Association). Ms Duncan completed Associate exam modules while working in the hospitality sector, which led her to join RHL Liverpool as a trainee average adjuster, during which time she passed two of the Senior Associate level exams; later moving to the firm’s London office where “I have enjoyed the opportunity to experience the London market and further my involvement.”

Ioanna Kafka is a senior claims executive at the Swedish Club in Piraeus, dealing with claims handling and adjusting for all types of hull and machinery cases. She is a naval architect and marine engineer with a MEng degree from NTUA, Athens, and a MSc degree in technical ship management from Strathclyde University, Glasgow. She has had positions as a naval architect consultant and marine surveyor in London, Southampton, Singapore, and Piraeus, undertaking engineering consultancy, design, and analysis as well as onboard surveys worldwide for marine casualties, representing hull and machinery and protection and indemnity insurers.

Mr Fischer said it was further pleasing that during the last 12 months seven members qualified as Associates. All passed Module A1 (Marine Insurance Act, Insurance Act and related principles of insurance) and Module A2 (hull and cargo claims).  Associates who build on this by succeeding in Fellowship Module F1 (General Average, salvage, and Carriage of Goods by Sea) plus one other Fellowship module are awarded Senior Associate status.