And Dorothea Ioannou is officially at the helm of the P&I Club

By Anastasia Vamvaka

For three days now, the Greek-American Dorothea Ioannou has been writing “double” history: She is the first woman and also the first citizen of Greek origin to take over the reins as CEO of the Shipowners Claims Bureau, the management company of the American P&I Club.

For the first time in the 167-year history of marine insurance organizations, a woman assumes this top position. Until recently, Dorothea Ioannou was acting as deputy COO. At the same time, Dan Tadros, previously SCB’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, will assume the role of COO, taking over from Vince Solarino. Both Joe Hughes and Vince Solarino will remain on SCB’s Board of Directors for the smooth transition of their colleagues into their new roles.

“I am excited about this new position. As a woman I carry with me the responsibility and importance not only for our organization, but also as the first woman in the P&I industry, for marine insurance in general and as a Greek origin for the Greek shipping industry .I have always been proud to work with SCB, American Club and EOM and the team of talented professionals around the world that I have spent the last 17 years with.I have been extremely privileged to have been mentored by Joe and Vince and look forward to building on the achievements of the past to create even greater success in the future” she had said in recent statements, when the assumption of her new duties was announced

Extensive resume

Dorothea Ioannou was born, grew up and studied in New York to Greek Cypriot parents. He holds a Master of Laws degree from St John’s University School of Law. In 1997, he relocated to Greece and was initially employed in teaching English. He entered the marine insurance industry through the company Allied Insurance Brikers and took over the reins of the claims department, becoming known mainly in the management of claims from marine accidents. In 2005 he was hired at the SCB office in Piraeus, together with its establishment. In 2009 he took over the general management of the office. In 2015, she became the first woman in the history of the American Club, worldwide, to assume a senior role as director of Global Business Development. In 2017 it was honored in London with the Next Generation in Shipping award from Lloyd’s List.

P&I Club

The American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club) was founded in New York in 1917. It is the only ship liability mutual insurance organization based in America and has its headquarters in New York, USA. In recent years, American Club has successfully approached the global marine insurance market by providing high quality services at an international level. The Club is managed day to day by Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc. with headquarters in New York. With offices in London, Piraeus, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Houston.

In 2016, Greeks and Americans decided to join forces creating a strong marine insurance company that aims to be the star. This is the American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company (AHHIC) Ltd which operates in all international shipping centres. It is a partnership between the powerful American P&I Club and the Greek interests Hellenic Hull Management, in which well-known Greek shipbuilding names also participate.