As part of its ongoing regional strategy, marine insurer Skuld has confirmed leadership changes in its Piraeus and Western Europe offices, appointing new heads to oversee operations and underwriting activities in maritime markets.
Kjell-Åke Augustsson, currently senior vice president and head of Skuld Piraeus, will retire from the organisation on February 28, 2026. Augustsson first joined Skuld in 1990 and served as an underwriter for 10 years before working with the Swedish Club. He returned to Skuld in 2012 to lead the establishment of its Singapore office. Since 2015, he has headed the insurer’s operations in Piraeus. He will remain in his current post through the 2026 protection and indemnity (P&I) renewal cycle.
Leadership of the Piraeus office will be assumed by Leandros Kotsakis beginning March 1, 2026. Kotsakis has been with Skuld’s claims organisation since 2007 and has worked in the Greek market throughout his tenure.
In his new role, he will manage the daily operations of the office. Underwriting activity for the region will be handled by Thea Thorstensen, senior vice president, business development, in coordination with Skuld’s wider business development strategy.
Skuld president and CEO Ståle Hansen acknowledged Augustsson’s years with the company and noted his contributions throughout his career.
"Kjell-Åke's contributions to Skuld are invaluable, and we are grateful for his dedication and hard work over the years. We wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement,” said Hansen.
Augustsson will continue to oversee operations through to the end of his tenure.
In a separate development, Skuld announced that Mudit Singh will assume leadership of the Skuld Western Europe business unit, effective June 15. Singh joined Skuld in 2018 and most recently served as head of freight, demurrage and defence (FDD) for the region. He will now take on full responsibility for the Western Europe unit. Erwan Merrien will support Singh in a new capacity as vice-president, head of underwriting for Western Europe.
Thorstensen, previously overseeing the Western Europe unit, will transition to her new role managing underwriting activity in the Greek market.
“These changes not only reflect our long-term commitment to the Greek market and to our office in Piraeus, but also our other European markets,” said Hansen. “We are fortunate to have strong talents in our own organisation and can fill key roles with highly competent internal resources.”
Skuld confirmed that these internal appointments are part of its current plans to manage leadership transitions across operational areas.
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