With over three decades of experience spanning underwriting, broking, and product development, Adrian brings a rare blend of strategic leadership and hands-on marine expertise to the role. A lifelong sailor and passionate advocate for the maritime sector, Adrian has played a pivotal role in expanding Geo’s marine proposition – most notably through the acquisition and integration of Navigators & General in 2024.

His career reflects a deep commitment to building specialist capability, supporting brokers, and driving innovation across both commercial and leisure marine insurance.

What is your most memorable career achievement?

One of the standout moments in my career has been the integration of Navigators & General (N&G) into the Geo business. For me, it was more than just a strategic acquisition – it was deeply personal.

I first encountered N&G over 30 years ago when I was at Eagle Star (now Zurich), and even then, I had a strong desire to be part of that business. To be involved in bringing it into Geo and then taking on the leadership of Geo Marine & Leisure felt like a full-circle moment.

It was a culmination of decades of experience, persistence, and passion for the marine sector. It reminded me that sometimes, the most meaningful achievements are the ones that take time to come to fruition.

Bringing Navigators & General into the Geo business was a natural and strategic fit. It complemented the strengths of our existing marine team and allowed us to offer a truly comprehensive suite of marine insurance solutions. By combining the expertise of both Geo and N&G, we’ve been able to support a wider broker and client base with tailored solutions that reflect the full breadth of the market.

Now, a year on, we’re seeing the real benefits of that integration. The collaboration of our teams across the two brands has created strong engagement across the board, and we’re delivering tangible results for brokers and clients alike. It’s a great example of how bringing together complementary capabilities can enhance service, deepen relationships, and drive growth.

What has been the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received?

Always stay focused on the objectives! It’s a simple phrase, but it’s carried a lot of weight throughout my career. In insurance – and particularly in marine – you often have to play the long game. This aligns to my passion for sailing as you often cannot take a straight route to your destination, you have to navigate your way. So adaptability to change your approach to get to where you first intended to be is essential.

Good relationships take time to build, real expertise takes time to develop, and opportunities don’t always come when you expect them to, but hard-work and persistence pays off. That advice helped me stay grounded and focused, even when things didn’t move as quickly as I might have liked.

Looking back, it’s been absolutely true. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come after years of dedication and persistence and being prepared to take an indirect route to get there.

What has been the key positive and/or negative impact of change in your area of the market?

One of the most interesting developments has been the innovation we’re seeing in vessel design through to propulsion systems and the emergence of remote operated unmanned vessels. The marine industry is embracing sustainability, and that’s driving real change – particularly in how boats are built and powered. It’s exciting to see, and it presents new challenges and opportunities for insurers to adapt and evolve alongside the industry.

The maritime sector has an incredibly broad reach – spanning offshore energy, transportation, commercial port operations, fishing, and leisure-related industries. Collectively, it remains a vital contributor to the UK’s GDP. The UK’s reputation for high-quality marine-grade manufacturing continues to drive strong export activity across the commercial marine space. Boatyards are thriving, and marinas remain busy, reflecting the ongoing strength and resilience of both the commercial and recreational sides of the industry.

On the other hand, the reduction in specialist underwriters is a concern. Marine is a niche area that requires deep knowledge and experience, and as experts retire or leave the sector, there’s a risk that this expertise could be diluted. That’s why we’re so focused on maintaining and growing our specialist teams at Geo and N&G, because we know how important that knowledge is to our brokers and clients.

If you were not in your current position, what would you like to be doing?

I think I’d still be doing something connected to the water. Perhaps operating as a delivery skipper moving boats from location to location, or living out my dream job of professional race crew aboard offshore race boats!

Anyone involved with the sea will tell you it commands enormous respect but in the same way I know its ferocity should be revered, it also empowers me, and I get a real sense of freedom and strength from that.  I think I’d struggle to be too far from it. That connection to the sea has shaped both my personal life and my professional journey, so whatever I’d be doing, it would almost certainly involve boats in some form!

What three items would you put on display in a museum of your life, and why?

My first windsurfer – This was what sparked my love for sailing at 9 years old, that ability of harnessing the wind to get somewhere was amazing that ignited a lifetime of adventures on the water, from my early days sailing in Falmouth to cruising the south coast with my wife. Sailing has been a constant in my life and a source of both joy and perspective.

My first insurance pay cheque  – That was the moment I realised insurance could be more than just a job – it is an industry with an amazing back story and offered a world of possibilities in career terms. It marked the beginning of a journey that’s taken me through broking, underwriting, and leadership roles, all within a sector I’m passionate about.

A propeller and a piece of rope – It relates to an incident I had aboard a boat and symbolises the moment in my personal life where I experienced the value of great insurance. Despite having worked in insurance for decades at this point, it will always be a valuable reminder of how our personal experience can shape our professional insight.

What three guests would you invite to a dinner party?

Sir Francis Chichester KBE  – The first person to sail solo around the world following the clipper route. There was a plaque at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club to signify this achievement and as a child I often wondered what stories he could tell, including the resilience, and sheer determination it took to do it first it would make for fascinating conversation.

Bob Dylan – In my view Bob Dylan is the greatest songwriter that has ever lived, and his music has been a soundtrack of my life. I would love to hear his take on the world and possibly ask him to do a rendition of ‘Blowin’ in the Wind!’

Tracy Edwards – Tracy and her crew on Maiden broke so many moulds, and in my view truly opened the door for the great female sailors that have followed. Her life story is inspirational and her bravery to put everything on the line for something that she so passionately believed in is remarkable. Her continued work through her charity and historical achievements show that conventional thinking can always be challenged in a way that resonates with me.