Ince & Co appoints new senior partner

Shipping and insurance specialist Ince & Co has appointed a new senior partner as the firm sees the departure of three other partners.

Peter Rogan takes the helm of the firm on 1 May, taking over from Richard Sayer, who has been senior partner for five years.

Rogan's promotion coincides with the news that three other partners are taking voluntary retirement at the end of the year. Richard Williams, Clare Calnan and David Coupe are said to be keen to pursue interests outside law.

Rogan is known internationally as one of the top re-insurance lawyers.

He says: "I come to this job with the confidence of knowing that at Ince we are a very cohesive team with some of the best lawyers around in our shipping and insurance speciality.

"At the end of the day it is the quality and commerciality of our legal advice that will keep us at the top of the tree."

Rogan joined Ince & Co in 1977 and has worked his way up through the ranks. He was seen as Sayer's natural successor.

Under Sayer, Ince & Co consolidated its dominance over its UK rivals and expanded in Hong Kong, Singapore and Greece.

"It has been a privilege to lead the best shipping and insurance firm in the world," says Sayer.

The departures come at a time of upheaval in the close-knit world of maritime law, with London fighting to retain its position as a leading shipping centre.

UK maritime law firms have been struggling to retain a share of the increasingly competitive shipping market as the proliferation of flags of convenience create shipping centres in alternative ports.

Sayer says that he will stay with Ince & Co to "look after my clients, get about in the market and hopefully do some rainmaking".