Kennedys has appointed Rob Ireland as a partner in its London aviation practice. The hire brings him back to the firm after a decade at Clyde & Co.
Ireland spent ten years at Clyde & Co as a partner in its aviation practice and as a member of the Global Aviation Executive. In that role, he held responsibility for strategy across its worldwide aviation team. He previously held a partner role at Kennedys between 2013 and 2016.
With more than 25 years of experience in aviation liability and contentious matters, Ireland advises insurers, airlines, and major helicopter operators on large-scale disputes. His work covers high-profile international losses and subrogated actions involving manufacturers across multiple jurisdictions.
Ireland returns to a market under growing financial strain. Renewals in 2025 marked a turning point for the airline all-risks sector, with insurers pushing for price increases after several consecutive loss-making years.
Attritional losses and rising claims costs, especially on advanced aircraft engines, have eroded airline premium bases. Gallagher anticipated continued technical rate increases in 2026, particularly for operators with US exposures.
Those pressures sit within a broader threat environment. A 2026 survey of aviation insurance and reinsurance professionals found geopolitical instability and war topped the threat list for the first time.
US claims inflation ranked as the leading operational challenge for aviation reinsurers. The global aviation insurance market was valued at approximately $5.27 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $8.88 billion by 2034.
Simon Balls, who leads the London aviation practice, said Ireland’s client relationships and reputation in the aviation insurance market were central to the appointment.
“Rob’s appointment reflects our continued investment in our aviation offering and our ambition to strengthen our position as a market-leading insurance practice,” Balls said.
The hire comes against a backdrop of tightening specialist talent in the London market. London holds around 45% of global marine and aviation premium, according to the London Market Group’s London Matters 2026 report.
The share of workers aged under 30 is forecast to fall from 24% to 7% over the next decade. Graduate job postings in insurance fell 18% year-on-year in September 2025.
The hire adds to a broader expansion at Kennedys. The firm reported FY26 revenue of £457m and in May marked its seventh consecutive year of double-digit partner promotions, with 20 lawyers promoted to partner.
