Lars orders

AS I am writing this, I see that Lars Lindfelt, the man who has guided the fortunes of the Swedish Club so ably for so many years, is to be a key speaker at the International Union of Marine Insurance conference in Paris, which will be over by the time the Maritime Advocate appears in print. I just wonder if anybody else noticed the rich irony in this news. IUMI has refused Lars permission to attend its conferences as a delegate in recent years, never mind - or perhaps because - he has for a long time been writing a book of direct hull business which has been the envy of many a Lloyd’s underwriter, this in addition to running a P&I club. It seems that Lars had to announce his retirement before he was allowed entry to the tedious IUMI bunfight. Knowing him as I do, I am sure he will enjoy the moment.