The Association of International Life Offices (AILO) held its Annual General Meeting in Douglas, Isle of Man, on Friday 10th October. At the meeting the Association’s Chairman, Nils Liljeberg, presented this year’s James Ball Award.

The James Ball Memorial Award was instigated by AILO in memory of James Ball, a founder of the international industry and AILO, who died suddenly in May 2005. This annual award is made to the individual who has, in the opinion of AILO’s Members, made a significant contribution to the international and cross-border life industry.

The 2014 James Ball Memorial Award was given to David Kneeshaw, Chief Executive at RL360°, who has demonstrated long-term support for the offshore industry, by effecting a management buyout in November 2013. Presenting the award, Nils Liljeberg said: “It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge David’s achievement by giving him the James Ball Memorial Award. AILO strives to represent, promote and educate awareness of the cross-border life industry and its current issues. Its Members largely dedicate their own company time to support a range of committees and working parties which make it possible for AILO to continue to drive momentum and liaise with other associations. With that in mind, David was the ideal candidate for the 2014 AILO James Ball Memorial Award.”

David took over as Chairman of the Manx Insurance Association in 2011 and over the last three years has worked with Members, Government and AILO on a range of initiatives to support the development of wider offshore industry. At the same time David led a management buyout of his own Member company RL360°, the first transaction of its type in the offshore life industry.

On accepting the award, David Kneeshaw said: “I am delighted to receive the prestigious James Ball Memorial Award from AILO. It is a great honour and I must share it with the RL360° Management team, as building RL360° and completing an MBO is the culmination of many years hard work and is of course a team effort.”