The Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL), an organisation representing 8,000 lawyers and paralegals across 61 corporate firms, has elected Bridget Tatham, Partner at Browne Jacobson, as President for 2026.
An Employer’s Liability and Public Liability specialist, Tatham brings to the position over three decades of experience supporting clients on complex claims ranging from occupational disease to life-changing brain and spinal injuries.
The executive also currently chairs FOIL’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, and this will be a key area of focus for her during her presidency.
Her appointment comes as the insurance industry navigates a convergence of geological, financial, and technological pressures.
Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside persistent inflation, continue to characterise the nature, volume and frequency of claims. Meanwhile, the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) brings data security and cyber risk to the forefront of insurer concerns.
Additionally, sustainability commitments and climate-related litigation are also increasingly shaping underwriting and claims decisions.
Currently serving as the Chair of FOIL’s DEI, Tatham aims to make the Committee a central pillar of her presidency. Under her leadership, FOIL aims to move beyond rhetoric to demonstrate the “practical business advantages” of inclusive workplaces.
“Building an inclusive and equitable environment remains central to our work. Inclusive collaboration strengthens innovation, improves outcomes, and ensures fair access, broader representation, and leadership opportunities – principles that are as much a business imperative as they are a moral one,” said Tatham.
Alongside DEI, Tatham will focus on nurturing the “next generation” of insurance lawyers. To ensure junior voices are heard, all of FOIL’s Sector Focus Teams now include a dedicated seat for a “Tomorrow’s FOIL” member.
The organisation is also closely monitoring legal developments that impact career progression, specifically the Mazur judgement. FOIL notes that this ruling creates issues regarding access to justice and legal careers, and the organisation is watching the situation closely as CILEX seeks to leave to appeal.
Bridget’s chosen charities as FOIL President this year are The Solicitor’s Charity and The African Caribbean Community Initiative.
Supporting Tatham in her new role will be David Mayor, Partner at Forbes, who has been appointed Vice President.
Commenting on Bridget’s appointment, FOIL CEO Laurence Besemer said: “Bridget is an excellent choice to lead FOIL into 2026. She is an accomplished insurance lawyer and her work as Chair of our DEI subcommittee has been instrumental.
“FOIL continues to be a leading voice for insurers and their lawyers as they navigate both challenges and opportunities. With significant change on the horizon for the defendant insurance legal community, Bridget, myself, and the rest of the Executive Committee, remain committed to driving this important work forward into the next year and beyond.”
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