Validus - Credit hire and repair claims analysis

Mike Srokowski, Chief Executive Officer
Having spent some time working for one of the UK’s largest operators, Mike set up his own very successful credit hire business. Although the company adhered rigidly to the ABI GTA, Mike became increasingly frustrated with the widespread levels of inefficiency that were evident in the handling of credit hire claims. He saw this as an opportunity and decided to withdraw as a credit hire operator in order to establish Validus. He is fully committed to the philosophy and future development of the company and has been able to attract a number of talented individuals to join him on the board. Mike enjoys watching rugby, having played for London Irish RFC in his youth. He holds an MBA from the University of East Anglia and lives in Norfolk with his wife and three children.

Gary Steward, Business Development Director
Gary has worked in the insurance industry since embarking on his career path with GRE thirty years ago, when he quickly became the company’s youngest accredited inspector. He went on to become a shareholder director in the Alan Boswell Group, one of the largest regional insurance brokers, a role he fulfilled for nineteen years until joining Validus. Gary has always been a keen sportsman, however his exceptional fitness and competitive nature was tested to the extreme in July 2007 when, as part of a five-man team, he rowed across the North Sea in aid of a local charity. When on dry land his preferred mode of transport is his 45 year-old Porsche, which he races in the ‘Oldies But Goldies’ Masters racing Series. Gary is married with two children.

Edwyn van Rooyen, Legal Services Director
Having played rugby to a high standard in his native South Africa, Edwyn came to England in the hope of continuing his playing career. He chose instead to take up an opportunity to work in the fast-growing credit-hire industry, where he could make good use of his academic qualifications. Prior to joining the board of Validus, Edwyn worked for a credit hire company for five years as Operations Manager, responsible for the recovery of invoiced claim settlements from third party insurers. Edwyn is married and is now resident in the UK. He holds a first class honours degree in Law and a Masters Degree, also in Law, for which he earned a distinction.

James Duez, Chief Technology Officer
James began his career with a major insurer where he held a Senior Developer role in Computer Based Training. In 1993 he started his own eLearning consultancy which grew into a thriving software development house, and after a successful merger James joined the international board managing international software development project management and support groups. In 2003 he headed a project to create a cutting edge Learning Management System to support on-line learning initiatives within some of the largest companies and government agencies worldwide. After selling out to an Australian public company in 2005 James focused on global business development activity. In his spare time James indulges in playing the Jazz trumpet and drinking good espresso, and is married with four children.