Hiscox's Jonathan Bloomer missing in Sicily yacht sinking

Jonathan Bloomer and his wife are among six tourists unaccounted for after the yacht, named Bayesian, was battered during intense storms off the coast of the Italian island in the early hours of Monday (August 19).

Mr Bloomer is non-executive chairman of insurance company Hiscox, which has a purpose-built office in Peasholme Green in York.

The search has resumed with the British-flagged Bayesian resting on the seabed at a depth of 50 metres.

Amongst those missing is British technology tycoon Mike Lynch and his daughter.

Mr Lynch, who founded software giant Autonomy in 1996, was cleared in June of conducting a massive fraud relating to a £8.64bn sale to US company Hewlett Packard.

Italian emergency services prepare to head toward the area off the Sicilian coast where the search continues for six tourists (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo is also reported as missing.

Fifteen of the 22 passengers and crew onboard – including Mr Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares – were rescued after escaping onto a lifeboat.

One body, reportedly belonging to the ship’s chef, was recovered at the scene.

Aki Hussain, the group chief executive of Hiscox, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular our chair, Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Judy, who are among the missing, and with their family as they await further news from this terrible situation.”

Mr Bloomer is also chairman of Morgan Stanley International and the former chief executive of Prudential.

A spokesperson for Morgan Stanley said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragedy.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular the Bloomer family, as we all wait for further news from this terrible situation.”