ALARM Higher Education insurance seminar

Alix Bedford

Risk Proposition Manager, Zurich Municipal

A strategic risk professional with over 18 years' experience working both with and within the public sector, Alix is passionate about the value of risk management and its role in driving improved resilience of organisations and communities. Her current role involves looking at the key emerging and evolving areas of risk impacting the public sector now and in the future, and leading Zurich Municipal's response to these. Alix is also leading on the sustainability agenda for Zurich Municipal, looking at climate, workforce, and data risks areas particularly.

---

Alan Clark

Strategic Account Manager, Zurich Municipal

Alan has over 30 years’ experience at Zurich Municipal, focusing on insurance for the Public Sector. His career has included claims handling, coaching, and managing complex cases, as well as building strong relationships with major clients.

Since 2000, Alan has specialised in sales for Education and the Charity sectors, and now leads the Strategic Account Managers, developing bespoke solutions for Zurich Municipal’s largest customers.

---

Andy Crocombe

Head of Education, DAC Beachcroft

Andy has over 30 years’ experience and specialises in defending claims made against universities, schools and colleges, a high proportion of which are discrimination claims. Andy’s caseload often involves highly sensitive and emotive cases and those with the potential for significant reputational damage.

---

Ceri Fuller

DAC Beachcroft

Ceri has had experience of all aspects of employment law since qualifying as an employment lawyer over 25 years ago. She has particular expertise in handling equality and discrimination issues, with a focus on helping her clients manage their employees with disabilities (including neurodiverse conditions) and how they approach expressions of protected beliefs in the workplace which may offend others.

Ceri is also an experienced investigator having been instructed to carry out investigations into equality matters, allegations of harassment and bullying as well as wider culture issues. She has undertaken multiple investigations both under legal privilege and on an open basis.

Alongside her advisory practice, Ceri leads DAC Beachcroft's client training programme including webinars, podcasts, and face-to-face events. She regularly trains in- house legal teams to keep them up to date with, and help them respond to, case law and legislative developments, including preparing for the implementation of the government’s flagship Employment Rights Act 2025. She also regularly designs and delivers bespoke training on all aspects of employment law for managers, HR professionals, and Boards. She also sits on the Employment Lawyers Association's training committee and is regularly involved in ELA's responses to Government consultations on employment issues.

---

Nicky Routh

Head of Group Insurance Services, University of Cambridge

Nicky is currently Head of Group Insurance Services for the University of Cambridge and an active member of ALARM seated on the HE Committee. Experienced Insurance and Risk Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education sector. Skilled in risk management, business interruption, ethical vonduct (bribery and fraud), enterprise risk management, property & casualty insurance and strategic planning. Previously was Insurance Manager at the University of Surrey, Chair of the LUPC (London Universities Purchasing Consortium) Insurance Group and managed insurance at the University for the Creative Arts.

---

Paul Tarne

Partner, Weightmans

Paul is a Partner who specialises in acting for public bodies. His clients include local authorities and emergency services. He undertakes a range of multi-disciplinary work including the defence of civil proceedings, public inquiries and coronial matters.

Notable cases include representing Greater Manchester Combined Authority, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, a core participant, as their designated legal representative in the Public Inquiry into the Manchester Arena Terror Attack.

He is renowned for handling sensitive and challenging cases, which often include claims of significant value. A further example of Paul’s work is the successful defence of a claim for £25 million brought by four claimants for misfeasance and malicious prosecution.

---

David Hunt, The Rt. Hon. the Lord Hunt of Wirral MBE

David Hunt is Chairman of the Financial Services Division of the international commercial law firm DAC Beachcroft LLP, where he has been a partner since 1969. He has been a parliamentarian for 49 years, first as MP for Wirral, then Wirral West, subsequently as a life peer. He was Secretary of State for Employment in 1993/4 and was a Minister in successive Governments for 16 years as well as being a member of the Cabinets of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major. David is a former President of Chartered Insurance Institute, Chairman of the British Insurance Brokers' Association and the Independent Press Standards Organisation, where he served as inaugural chairman. He is currently the Shadow Minister for Business and Trade.

---