Claire Andrews
Hexham,Northumberland
Summary
An experienced, senior, maritime professional, qualified shipping solicitor and long standing claims handler with an industry leading P&I club. I have experience of working both in the UK and overseas, servicing the needs of a diverse and demanding membership. In recent years (and post the merger of the North and Standard clubs), I have been engaged in a more strategic role, managing the club's business to business relationships with our external law firms and experts. Alongside this role, I also continue to manage some very junior claims handlers as they develop in the early stages of their careers. This is very rewarding and I am recognised as being able in this area.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Director - Legal/Expert Liasion & Performance
NorthStandard
Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland
10.2006 - Current
Sept 2023 - current
Director - Legal/Expert Liaison & Performance
- Responsible for business to business relationship with our law firms and experts worldwide.
- Project Lead on partnership with COG Legal - oversee performance metrics of external lawyers and experts and ensure measurability of these relationships.
- Collaborative leader involved with various internal projects - MTOCH (More Time on Claims Handling), claims function TOM (Target Operation Model), Best Claims Outcomes and development of external partnerships (Roxburgh).
Deputy Claims Director
North of England P&I Association
Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne
10.2006 - 09.2023
17 years experience of front line claims handling and supervision, including:
- Proven track record in dealing with all claims type (except personal injury). Particularly able in dealing with challenging matters; ie: cover disputes and where the club and member interests do not always align
- working across all areas of the club's worldwide membership with particular focus on Korea, Greece, US and UK
- 6 years based in the club's Greek office
- Approx. 3 years as a training co-ordinator within the P&I function
- Regular speaker at member seminars and workshops
- Clear and succinct reporter via line management structure
- Currently handling the IG's largest ever recovery action on vessel SMART, a grounding/wreck removal claim in South Africa, listed for trial in July 2026. This will represent the culmination of 13 years by the club.
Solicitor
Rayfiled Mills
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
09.2002 - 09.2006
Assistant solicitor working on both contentious and non-contentious shipping matters. Detailed knowledge of carriage of goods by sea law and practical experience of arbitration and mediation.
Trainee solicitor
Ward Hadaway
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
09.2000 - 08.2002
Commercial training contract within a full service law firm. Seats in commercial property, corporate & commercial, commercial litigation and professional negligence.
Police officer
Northumbria Police
South Shields, South Tyneside
09.1995 - 06.2000
Uniformed front line police officer attending both routine and emergency calls.
- trained and qualified in interviewing, taking statements and investigating criminal matters.
- qualified to the rank of sergeant, having passed OSPRE part 1 (theory) and OSPRE part 2 (practical role-play based) exams.
Education
Law LLB - Law
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne 09.1995 - 07.2000
A Levels - English, History, Music
Kind Edward College
Nuneaton, Warwickshire 09.1993 - 07.1995
Skills
- IGQ P&I Qualification achieved 2015
- Creative problem solver
- Service mentality
- Strategic leader - "gets the job done"
- Budget manager
- Empathetic and focussed line manager
- Able professional speaker
- IT literate, including sharepoint and powerpoint
- Hexham Abbey chorister
Timeline
Director - Legal/Expert Liasion & Performance
NorthStandard
10.2006 - Current
Deputy Claims Director
North of England P&I Association
10.2006 - 09.2023
Solicitor
Rayfiled Mills
09.2002 - 09.2006
Trainee solicitor
Ward Hadaway
09.2000 - 08.2002
Police officer
Northumbria Police
09.1995 - 06.2000
Law LLB - Law
Newcastle University
09.1995 - 07.2000
A Levels - English, History, Music
Kind Edward College
09.1993 - 07.1995