New directors for Cornish Mutual
A new Chairman and Non-Executive Director have been elected to the board of South West general insurance firm Cornish Mutual, it has been announced today.
Ian Pawley has been appointed Chairman of the company and Graham Shearn (both pictured) has taken on the role of Non-Executive Director with the insurer, which has offices in Truro and Exeter. Cornish Mutual has nearly 22,000 Members throughout Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.
Graham was elected to the Board by Members at the company’s AGM at the end of March and Ian Pawley was elected to chair the Board at its first meeting following the AGM.
The outgoing Chairman Gerald Blewett has decided to step down from the role whilst remaining on the Board to provide continuity. He will strengthen governance at Cornish Mutual by serving as Senior Independent Director ’ a new role created by the Board to replace that of Deputy Chairman.
Gerald will continue as Chairman of the Trustees of the Cornish Mutual Assurance Company Limited Staff Pension Scheme and will also chair the Board Remuneration and Nominations Committee.
Commenting on the changes, Alan Goddard, Cornish Mutual’s Managing Director, said: ’We have clear plans to develop the business for the benefit of both existing and new Members and I’m confident that Ian, Graham, Gerald and the whole Board at Cornish Mutual will make a huge difference in the company’s future success.
’I would also like to personally thank Gerald Blewett for all that he has done in the role of Chairman and we’re delighted that he will continue to play a significant role going forward.’
Ian Pawley has been a Non-Executive Director with Cornish Mutual since November 2008 and was appointed Deputy Chairman of the company in April last year. Formerly Managing Partner of Stephens Scown solicitors, Ian also holds a non-executive director position with Cornwall Care, as well as being a trustee of the Duchy Health Charity.
Ian Pawley added: ’I am proud and privileged to be elected Chairman of a strong Board of Directors at Cornish Mutual. We shall continue to focus on our membership, as behoves a mutual organisation, and serve the agricultural and rural communities of the South West. Our Board will work together responding to the regulatory challenges that face us.’
Having spent his whole career in the insurance industry, Graham Shearn recently retired from Ecclesiastical where he held the post of Group Development Director. During his working life, he has served on a number of UK and overseas company boards.
Graham Shearn commented: ’Cornish Mutual is truly committed to serving the insurance advice and protection needs of its Members. The advantages of mutuality are being recognised more and more and I am delighted to have an opportunity to assist with the development, strategy and governance of such a fine company.’
