The Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority (BSMA) has made two key appointments that it hopes will help grow the flag without sacrificing safety.

Francis Richardson, former Bermuda government permanent secretary, has been appointed chief executive, while marine ­insurance veteran Nick Samson becomes head of marketing.

They have been tasked with growing the flag after the BSMA, part of the Red Ensign group of ship registers, was spun off as a semi-autonomous body, to try to make it easier to attract tonnage.