KETNOTE SPEAKER:

Ant gould

Ant Gould is a director at Full Circle Corporate Communications and a specialist in journalism, publishing and media relations. Previous roles include director of faculties at the Chartered Insurance Institute where he led market and membership engagement, and group editor in chief of insurance at Incisive Media overseeing all print, digital and event content for titles including Insurance Post, Insurance Age, Professional Broking, The Actuary, Reinsurance, Cover and Employee Rewards & Benefits. Other roles have included editor of Post Magazine, news editor of The Engineer, and deputy editor of AutoTrade along with general news writing.

professor trevor williams

Trevor Williams is the former Chief Economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, a position he held for well over 10 years. During this time he established a highly-regarded, award-winning, team of economists analysing global and domestic data to support clients ranging from financial institutions, large corporates to SMEs with bespoke insight.

He is a visiting Professor at the University of Derby, rotating Chairman of the Institute of Economic Affairs Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC) and author of Trading Economics: A Guide to Economic Statistics for Practitioners (with Victoria Turton).

Trevor also lectures at CASS business school and Cardiff University. He is on the editorial board of Economia and the Journal of Corporate Treasury Management. He previously lectured in Economics and Business Statistics, before working in the UK Government Economic Service (GES). He sits on various charities, including as Patron of Reach Society, Chairman of Ballet Black, and Through the Looking Glass.

He regularly writes articles for publications, such as Moneyfacts, Clear Path Analysis, and Economia to name a few. He appears in the financial press and on television to discuss and comment on economic issues.

Trevor now runs a consultancy which specialises in economic analysis encompassing ‘big data’ – the large information set being created from the 4th industrial revolution sweeping the world – to better understand a fast changing global economy, and its political context: i.e. its political economy.

gareth bowers

Gareth has been in the insurance industry since 1986, moving into loss adjusting in 1995. Gareth has extensive experience of people management, P&L responsibility and service delivery with large customer service teams.

He has vast experience of handling losses of all values, both Domestic and Commercial, cradle to grave, in addition to business development on behalf of McLarens. Since the beginning of 2021, Gareth has been the Resilience & Sustainability Project Lead for McLarens UK & Ireland to embed it into the claims process.

ANDREW bUSSEY

Andrew is a Chartered Building Surveyor and Fellow of the RICS.  He is a Director of Gateley Smithers Purslow, Chartered Building and Quantity Surveyors, Civil and Structural Engineers and Architects, who work on building and liability losses throughout the UK for insurers and policyholders and their advisors. 

Andrew’s specialisms are major and complex property claims particularly in the high and ultra-high net worth arenas and commercial losses and providing expert witness services in property, construction and insurance disputes.

Steve crystal

Steve has led Sedgwick's claims fraud proposition internationally for the last two years, overseeing strategy via a global network. Previous experience comprises 25 years with Sedgwick in the UK, most recently as Head of Financial Crime, and before joining the adjusting profession 13 years working in claims roles for two insurers.

He’s also an experienced financial services investigator, having handled a wide range of incidents, including several high profile proven fraud cases.

melissa cunningham

Melissa Cunningham FCA, ACILA is a Senior Vice President in Marsh Claims Solutions in London. She manages and performs pre-loss business interruption reviews, and quantifying claims for Insured clients in the UK and overseas. As a dual qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Loss Adjuster, she brings a perspective that covers both these aspects of insurance losses in property damage and business interruption. She has received two of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters’ prizes for best examination performance.

richard done

Richard Done is the Commercial Operations Director of Polygon Group UK & Ireland and has been with the company for 6 years.  Richard is an Electrical Engineer by trade and has 25 experiences in the damage control and restoration industry, beginning his career at ISS Damage Control in 2002, followed by several years at AREPA (UK), dealing with projects across Europe and in the USA.

Currently responsible for business development and operations within Polygon Group UK & I specifically, commercial disaster management and restoration, by providing solutions for multiple sectors following water or fire claims, and major business interruption.

Highly motivated by always seeking the best outcomes which includes all stakeholders involved, both internally and externally.

john farrell

John is a Partner in Kennedys London office. He specialises in the areas of construction and engineering, cyber and data breach, insurance/reinsurance, product and professional liability and reputational risk. He also sits on the firm’s Emerging Risks Group. He has previously presented to CILA on a wide range topical issues including the outcome of FCA BI Insurance (Covid-19) Test case.

John acts for civil engineering contractors and consultants, engineering manufacturers, employers and public authorities, as well as some of the markets largest and international insurers and reinsurers.

He has particular experience advising in relation to large infrastructure projects, Contractors’ All Risks (CAR) and engineering related claims.

John has advised professional firms and their insurers in respect of claims arising from the ‘misuse’ of social media and the consequences of cyber-attacks in terms of loss of confidential data, potential reputational damage, increased scrutiny from regulators and associated financial penalties and the obligations of the (UK) GDPR.

John is a member of the British Insurance Law Association, City of London Law Society, Chartered Insurance Institute and Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL). He regularly contributes to Kennedys’ publications and to industry press, including Insurance Post and Insurance Day.

mark harris

Mark Harris is a Senior Manager and Head of Cyber Risks at Harris Balcombe LLP. Mark is a dual qualified Accountant and Loss Adjuster specialising in the presentation of Business Interruption claims and financial losses on behalf of the policyholder. Prior to joining Harris Balcombe at the beginning of 2020, Mark was a Major and Complex Loss Accountant handling Business Interruption and Cyber related losses across a diverse range of markets for Insurers.

Mark sits on the CILA Business Interruption SIG committee where he is an active contributor to the delivery of Business Interruption webinars and he is currently involved in the digital recording of the recent CILA publication ‘The Basic Business Interruption Book’.

nathan holt

Nathan is a dual qualified insurance practitioner and loss adjuster. He is a Commercial Loss Adjuster at Woodgate & Clark based out of their head office in Kings Hill where he manages Property and Contractors All Risks claims in and around London and the Southeast on behalf of Insurers across a wide range of sectors ranging from real estate, property owners, small medium enterprises, public houses etc.

Nathan began his career in 2013 at a large insurer, before moving to a global adjusting practice where he gained experience in the UK and internationally through CAT work.

Nathan is currently a member of the CILA Future Focus SIG.

Toby knight

Toby started his claims career in 1991, working for a large composite insurer in Birmingham and then Haverhill, before joining the Loss Adjusting profession in 1996 with GAB Robins.

Over the following 12 years, Toby gained broad Commercial Property, BI, Major and Complex loss experience with GAB Robins, McLarens Toplis and then Ashworth Mairs Group where he was subsequently promoted to Associate Director for the London and East Anglia region.

Toby joined Cunningham Lindsey in 2008 as Operations Manager for North and East London.  He was promoted in 2009 to Regional Property Manager with operational responsibility over three regions. Toby later joined McLarens in August 2015 as Regional Manager for London & South East, bringing with him a wealth of technical, operational and client management experience. He was promoted to Head of Operations – South in 2019 and then Head of UK Operations – Property in 2020.

With over 30 years-experience in the claims industry and 25 years within the Loss Adjusting field, Toby holds Fellowship level for the CII and CILA and is also Chairman of the CILA Property Special Interest Group. 

Nicola maher

Nicola is a partner in Edwin Coe’s insurance litigation department and has considerable experience representing corporate, SME and high net worth policyholders in complex insurance coverage disputes and commercial litigation.

She acts exclusively for policyholders across numerous sectors such as hospitality, retail & consumer, pharmaceutical, construction & real estate, manufacturing and waste processing on a broad range of disputes including those involving PI, D&O, BI, cyber risk, environmental liability, and trade and credit risks.

Nicola has particular expertise in relation to substantial property damage and business interruption claims arising from fire, flooding and design defects and, more recently, the Covid-19 Pandemic. She is also experienced in resolving coverage disputes through mediation and arbitration as well as litigation.

Nicola has been involved in a number of reported cases relating to property damage claims and she enjoys participating in CILA events sharing insight and advice.  Edwin Coe’s insurance team also sponsors the CILA Claimant SIG and regularly holds seminars on relevant topics for CILA members.

Chris nustedt

On entering the insurance industry Chris took early roles with a leading provider of property claims management serving the domestic market.

Initially assisting policyholders directly by providing strong and empathetic customer service, he promptly moved in to claims validation and developed an enthusiasm for buildings related claims. Later roles included managing a national network of suppliers and undertaking extensive training in fire, flood and management of hazards.

Having obtained CII qualifications, Chris was recruited to a major insurer where he was mentored in liability and oversaw a wide-ranging portfolio of casualty claims. Specialising in Third Party Property Damage before moving into Personal Injury and Personal Accident, he was drafted into the distinguished counter fraud Claims Validation Team.

Chris is now a practiced Senior Loss Adjuster at a niche firm of Chartered Adjusters providing boutique, traditionally adjusting and claims related services nationally. His areas of expertise are Private Client / HNW, Commercial and Jewellers’ Block risks. He is also a member of CILA’s Future Focus Committee.

angus osborne-white

Angus is a Director and Head of Technical Development within Crawford Forensic Accounting Services.

Having qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant whilst serving as a Commissioned Officer in the British Army, Angus joined GAB Robins in 2014 in order to pursue a career in loss adjusting. Apart from a short break working in risk assurance with the accountants RSM, he has enjoyed growing into the Loss Adjusting profession ever since.

As well as a portfolio of business interruption and fidelity guarantee claims, since 2020 Angus has played a key role in the development of IT solutions to business interruption claims for COVID19. He has also provided technical leadership within Crawford for high volume COVID19 claims for a number of insurer clients.

Oliver pannell

Oliver was promoted to partner within Edwin Coe’s insurance litigation team in April 2022. He specialises in Insurance law, acting for policyholder SMEs, national and international corporations, and individuals in all aspects of insurance claims. He also acts in claims for professional negligence against insurance brokers and other professionals.

He is regularly involved in disputes concerning breach of contract, allegations of negligence, breach of warranty, breach of condition precedent, misrepresentation, non-disclosure, under-insurance, business interruption, the financial impact of Covid-19 and fraud.

Oliver also has extensive experience in general commercial litigation, shareholder/partnership disputes, obtaining injunctions, commercial fraud and enforcing judgments in overseas jurisdictions, both in pursuing and in defending such claims.

simon peck

Simon is a chartered engineer who spent his formative years at Ellis and Buckle project managing subsidence and larger general peril claims across both domestic and commercial lines. He remained at Cunningham Lindsey until 2003, when he joined HBOS, helping to develop their in-house adjusting service. He continued to focus on subsidence and structural claims before moving into regional management in 2007 just before the acquisition by Lloyds Banking Group.

At LBG, Simon has led a variety of claims handling field teams with both regional and national focus. He now leads a team of adjusters (whom we call Personal Claims Consultants) covering the West Midlands, north Wales and the northwest of England.

Simon has strong links into underwriting, reserving, modelling, and operational teams within LBG and his technical experience has enabled him to lead surge events and support some of our most complex claims. His recent project work has seen him lead and shape LBG policy on modern methods of construction, and sustainability. In this latter space, Simon has helped to develop insurer initiatives concerning property level flood resilience and recovery. He is helping to integrate the wider FloodRE scheme of ‘Building Back Better’ into the existing flood claim process.  

Paul redington

Starting his insurance career as a graduate trainee, Paul has been handling customer’s losses for over 31 years. His claims experience at some of the UK’s leading Insurers has also encompassed managing large Motor, Casualty & Professional Indemnity exposures. This has included experience in setting & maintaining Head Office claims handling technical best practices.

Paul joined Zurich’s Property Major Loss Team from AIG in 2010. His current “hands on” role involves the rapid response to large property claims - including serious fires, floods & explosions. This includes attending site, & directly helping customers at their time of need.

Paul previously worked at Aviva where he managed their biggest ever UK property claim & fronted their large loss response to the Carlisle floods of 2005, which devastated almost 3,000 homes and businesses.

Since joining Zurich Paul has overseen a variety of high-profile losses both here & abroad, with one being nominated for “Major Loss of the Year” at the British Insurance Awards. This year the Flood Resilience Adjuster “Toolkit” he designed received recognition at the Insurance Times Awards Claims Excellence Awards.

He also contributes to the company’s output on various risk topics, looking to share insight & loss management advice. As a “Sustainability Influencer” within Zurich, Paul helps to further the Insurer’s efforts in reducing the carbon footprint of claims fulfilment, and to help customers improve their resilience to a range of property risks, including those impacted by the effects of Climate Change.  

claire russell

Claire’s vision is to lead a global shift in mental health in the workplace. With her lived experience of mental ill health, and losing her partner to suicide in 2018; she is passionate about helping to effect change, break down taboos and open up the conversation about mental health.

Until early 2021 (alongside her work in mental health) Claire owned and ran businesses in the financial services sector for more than 20 years, so she understands well the challenges faced by business owners and leaders.

She is also a prolific speaker - speaking candidly about her own experiences, and speaking on a range of issues relating to workplace mental wellbeing. She continues to be a committed volunteer, giving much of her time to suicide prevention charities.

steven smith

Steven is an Executive Adjuster for McLarens who he joined in January 2021 from Woodgate & Clark. Steven manages a portfolio of commercial property claims including major losses and is also a member of McLarens Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Steven achieved the Associate qualification with CILA in 2021 and has recently joined the CILA Future Focus SIG, with a passion for wanting to help shape the future of the next generation of loss adjusters.

sue taylor

Sue’s career began in the City in 1980 at the Commercial Union as a graduate trainee, learning the basics of underwriting. 

She diversified into broking in the London and provincial markets with Aon and Miller. Focusing on commercial insurance, national and international programmes, including their design, wordings, placement and claims, matching theory to practice.

This breadth of experience enables her to provide a wide reaching examples to pass her knowledge on to others.

An acknowledged author of leading texts and articles as well as a frequent public speaker.

james townsend

James has over 20 years’ experience in plant pathology, and for ten of those he managed diagnostic plant clinics providing diagnoses for a range of UK and overseas crop problems for customers.  He is experienced in investigating the causes of plant diseases, crop failures and spoilage of fresh produce and enhances Hawkins’ capabilities in the areas of Agriculture & Forestry, Cargo Spoilage, Contamination & Pollution, Marine & Shipping.

Having studied Applied Biology at Brunel University, his industrial placement project on the genetic resistance to the plant disease apple scab inspired him to pursue a career in plant pathology.

He spent 12 years at Rothamsted Research, breeding genetic resistance to diseases in oilseed crops and published research into the effects of climate change on plant diseases in the UK.

James has managed a portfolio of field and glasshouse research projects, gaining extensive experience in plant disease diagnostic techniques.

As an Applied Plant Pathologist for a leading grower cooperative, James used his expertise to diagnose crop problems and fruit rots and advise growers on disease management strategies.

David williams

David has over 30 years’ experience in General Insurance, roles including Reinsurance Manager, Casualty Insurance Manager, Managing Director Claims and Managing Director of Underwriting & Technical Services.

In 2018 he was recognised as Social Media Influencer of the year, and in 2019 he won both the Insurance Post Claims Achievement Award and was named Insurance Personality of the Year at the British Insurance Awards.

David led AXA’s work on Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, including work with five Government backed Consortia. He was Chair of the ABI Motor Committee & Autonomous Driving Group and sat on the ABI GIC for several years. He remains Chair of RISCAuthority, is a Board Member of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), and is a Non Exec Director at Qlaims.

He speaks regularly at conferences and other events and has also appeared on Sky TV, BBC Breakfast TV, BBC and Channel 4 News, as well as Radio 4’s ‘Today’ Programme, being interviewed on topics varying from Compensation Culture to Business Crime.