BILA Young Professionals
BILA Young Professionals is a sub-group of the British Insurance Law Association. We consist of and appeal to young professionals who are working in the insurance industry (in any capacity) and have a connection or interest in insurance law. Our aims are twofold: –
- To provide a forum for junior lawyers and market practitioners specialising in insurance to meet and develop closer ties with their peers; and
- To deepen their understanding of current and future legal issues affecting the London Insurance Market.
The BILA Young Professionals Committee meet on a monthly basis and arrange regular educational and social events to further our aims. We also have strong connections with AIDA, and encourage relationship-building with other like-minded junior insurance committees around the world.
Our inaugural event was a presentation delivered by Inga Beale, the first female CEO of Lloyd’s of London, on 20 April 2016 followed by drinks. Subsequent events have included a mixture of social e.g. (gin-tasting networking events) and educational activities (e.g., a mock trial and speed mentoring) held in London, also in Bristol.
Our recent events include the following: –
On 29 April 2021, we hosted a virtual ‘speed-networking’ event – our first foray into the world of online networking.
- On 29 September 2021, we hosted our Summer Social Networking Event, kindly sponsored by Simmons & Simmons LLP.
- On 3 February 2022, we invited Nathalie Koh of Fountain Court Chambers to deliver a Webinar on the ever-topical subject of Aggregation.
- On 16 June 2022, we hosted a speed networking and summer social event.
- On 17 November 2022, we had a great time at our Winter Social Quiz, kindly sponsored by CMS.
- on 26 April 2023, we hosted a Panel Discussion, Inclusion in insurance: the power of authenticity.
- On 25 April 2024, we had a great time networking at our wine tasting event.
- On 18 June 2024, Zoe Burge gave a virtual seminar on Dishonesty and aggregation after Discovery Land v AXIS.
- On 3 July 2024, we jointly hosted an event with Young AIDA France for a virtual discussion on ESG Regulatory Outlook for General Insurers.
- On 7 August 2024, we hosted a Cyber Seminar – once more unto the breach with drinks and networking from S-RM’s rooftop terrace.
- On 17 September, we jointly hosted a Mock Arbitration event with Essex Court Chambers at Lloyd’s Old Library debating catastrophe cover in the post-pandemic era.
To stay updated about our upcoming events, please subscribe to our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28976588
We have grown considerably in the last year and are on the lookout for new members to join us. If you are interested in joining the Committee, or would like to be added to our mailing list, please email office@bila.org.uk
The Committee
Kristyna Muhlfeitova | Co-Chair
Arpen Pansari | Co-Chair
Arpen is an in-house counsel at Convex Insurance. He advises the business on a broad range of contentious matters, handling both strategic issues and day-to-day management. Previously, Arpen was a Senior Associate in the Insurance and Reinsurance Disputes team at Herbert Smith Freehills where he specialised in coverage disputes and broker PI.
When he is not managing the Young Professional’s accounts, he is assisting the Committee in planning successful workshops, talks and socials for the Young Professional’s membership.
Arpen is keen on the outdoors. For his sins, he ‘enjoys’ long distance running, having raced in two 100km events. He won’t be doing a third any time soon though!
Vanessa Hollaway | Honorary Treasurer
Vanessa is a senior claims adjuster at Brit Insurance, working in the professional indemnity claims team. Vanessa has spent her professional career working in insurance claims, with a strong emphasis on the London Market.
Kelly Westgarth | Honorary Secretary
Kelly is a Senior Associate in the Insurance Disputes team at Mills & Reeve.
She specialises in high-value, complex contentious and non-contentious matters. Kelly has expertise across key business lines in the defence of claims, subrogated recoveries and coverage issues arising in international, London Market and Lloyd’s business. She has experience of cross-border disputes in both arbitral and English court proceedings, involving both primary and excess layer insurers.
Matthew Hunter | Committee Member
Matthew is in-house legal counsel at Asta Managing Agency.
He has broad insurance experience, having advised clients over the years on a range of regulatory insurance matters, the insurance aspects of commercial transactions, policy coverage and wordings, and broader strategic issues and commercial disputes. Earlier in his career, Matthew spent time on secondment to Nexus Underwriting and QBE.
As well as supporting young professionals in the insurance market, Matthew particularly enjoys BILA Young Professionals’ quiz and casino nights.
Anthony McGeough | Committee Member
Anthony is a Senior Associate Solicitor specialising in a wide range of insurance policy coverage disputes.
Joshua Shepherd | Committee Member
Josh is a Claims Adjuster in AIG UK’s Financial Lines team. He is a qualified solicitor, with experience in a range of cross-border FI PI, D&O, Crime, reinsurance, and multinational claims.
He has previously worked in private practice and in-house as a secondee, on a range of insurance matters.
Helen Morton | Committee Member
Helen is a Junior Barrister at Essex Court Chambers and was called in 2012. She specialises in Insurance and Reinsurance as well as Commercial Dispute Resolution, Shipping and Arbitration. Helen has experience across a variety of insurance and reinsurance disputes for both insurers and insureds, including marine and Bermuda Form insurance.
William Day | Committee Member
William is a Barrister at 3VB. William’s practice spans all aspects of commercial litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on high value and high profile disputes. As well as an extensive interlocutory and trial practice, William has significant appellate experience having appeared led and unled 10 times in the Court of Appeal, as well as in the Supreme Court, since being called to the bar in 2016.
Christopher Frain | Committee Member
Chris is a Claims Advocate at Marsh within the Financial & Professional Liability Division. Chris specialises in Financial Institutions and Management Liability insurance and assists clients to resolve policy disputes and maximise their insurance recoveries.
Outside of insurance, despite being a terrible golfer Chris recently shot a hole in one and is now contemplating whether to retire from the game.
Upcoming event(s)
Details of our forthcoming events
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the BILA Young Professionals Winter Quiz on 22 January 2026, details of our events for 2026 will be posted soon!