Mays Brown is a boutique law firm focused on shipping and maritime legal services, serving shipowners, operators, charterers, protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, insurers and shipyards.
The team will continue to operate from London, with day-to-day leadership remaining with Joe Mays, David Wartski and Stephen Grainger, who report to Manan Sagar (pictured above), head of Gallagher Bassett's EMEA operations.
The strategic logic is rooted in a growing global market. The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) reported that global marine insurance premiums reached US$39.92 billion in 2024, up 1.5% on 2023, with London commanding 60% of the ocean hull market.
IMARC Group projects the sector will grow to US$45.7 billion by 2033, with Europe holding more than 48.7% market share.
Loss severity is climbing in parallel. IMARC estimates the March 2024 Baltimore Bridge collision could generate insured damages of between US$2 billion and US$4 billion, potentially the largest marine payout on record.
IUMI has also warned of a "Silver Tsunami" of hull claims as the world fleet ages, with secretary general Lars Lange citing unprecedented uncertainty from war risks, tariffs and trade tensions.
Sagar was appointed CEO of Gallagher Bassett UK in February 2024 joining from Genesys, where he was global head of insurance, after earlier roles at Fujitsu, Capita, Allied World, Lockton and Willis Towers Watson. His brief has since expanded to cover EME&A.
Mays Brown extends a marine build-out that has accelerated over the past year. In February 2026, Gallagher Bassett acquired Bremen-based Reck & Co. GmbH, a transportation and marine claims provider founded in 1848 that has served as a Lloyd's Agent since 1891.
That deal followed the 2025 acquisition of global marine and transit claims manager W K Webster.
Matt Foote, global head of M&A, said at the time of the Reck deal that the firm's "M&A approach is an integral part of our long-term growth plans, especially in marine."
J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., chairman and chief executive of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., described Mays Brown as a firm whose niche expertise complements Gallagher Bassett's existing marine and legal offering.
"I am very pleased to welcome Joe, David, Stephen and their associates to our growing, global team," Gallagher said.
