Senior independent director Colin Keogh has been confirmed as interim chairman of Hiscox Ltd following the death of Jonathan Bloomer last week.

Mr Bloomer, his wife Judy, and five others perished after the 56-metre, British-flagged luxury yacht, Bayesian, sank during a freak storm off the Italian fishing village of Porticello, east of Palermo, Sicily, on August 19.

Tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda Morvillo and the boat’s chef Recaldo Thomas all died in the disaster.

Mr Bloomer joined international specialist insurer Hiscox Ltd last summer and became chairman in July last year.

Mr Keogh joined Hiscox in November 2015.

The diversified international insurance group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and headquartered in Bermuda at Chesney House in Hamilton.

The company has more than 3,000 staff across 14 countries and 32 offices.