Joining the international firm as a partner, Cripps will be based in Shanghai and will focus on developing the firm's corporate insurance practice in China.

"[Cripps] has a rare combination of in-depth insurance expertise and a profound understanding of the Chinese markets," said the global head of Clyde & Co's corporate insurance group, Andrew Holderness.

Prior to his five-year stint at IAG, Cripps spent 13 years in Shanghai as a partner at Allens Arthur Robinson and as managing director of Glenore Trading.

Having lived and worked as a lawyer in China for many years, Cripps is bilingual and is an accredited English-Mandarin interpreter.