ALARM Scotland Conference: Whose risk is it anyway?

Lesley Allan

Partner, Kennedys

Lesley is a Partner in Kennedys' Celtic Team. Her practice focuses on public sector, third sector and blue light issues. She regularly acts for local authorities, care service providers, educational, and charitable organisations. Lesley has acted for clients in a wide range of social care and safeguarding issues, including claims related to moving and handling, management of challenging behaviours, historical abuse claims, and fatal accident inquiries. 

Lesley has represented clients in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, and advised clients on potential engagement in the Redress Scheme, which offers an alternative to litigation for survivors of historical child abuse.

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Irene Hallett

Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS) Manager, NHS National Services Scotland, Central Legal Office

No bio provided

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Anne Norrie

Regional Manager, Zurich Municipal

Anne is the Regional Manager for Zurich Municipal in Scotland and leads a team of risk and insurance consultants that provide insurance and risk management guidance for Scottish public sector organisations. She joined ZM as a Risk and Insurance Consultant specialising in local authorities and housing in 2014 and was promoted to the position of Regional Manager in 2016. Prior to joining ZM Anne worked as a Commercial Underwriting Manager and Account Executive with a global insurer and broker – she has over 25 years of experience working in the insurance sector .

 

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Phil Farrar

National Development Director, Risk Management Partners

Phil began his career in 1986 with Municipal Mutual and worked at two of their branches where he stayed for 12 years, working as part of their National Public Sector Team. He joined RMP in 2004, where he was responsible for service delivery in the North of England and Scotland, as well as managing his own accounts.

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Claire Clarke

Deputy Head of Operations, Scottish Government

I joined the Scottish Government in 2021 where my work involved responding, on behalf of the Scottish Government, to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. I took up my current role within Redress Operations in May 2023.  Prior to this, I worked for Police Scotland for 13 years. During this time, I spent five years as a Detective Sergeant within the Public Protection arena, which included work in non-recent child abuse. It was this work which inspired me to continue my career within Redress, and I strive to make a positive difference to the lives of survivors of childhood abuse. 

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Nicola Hughes

Unit Head – Contributions, Finance and Business Management, Scottish Government

For over 12 years, I have worked in various child-focused practitioner, policy and leadership roles in local government, third sector and national government. I have worked with care experienced children and families, as well as those affected by poverty and discrimination. From 2017, I led a multi-disciplinary team within Save The Children to design and deliver national programmes in schools, communities and the home to further the wellbeing and educational attainment of children. Moving to Scottish Government in early 2020, I have led programmes of work to support public authorities to further realise the rights of children in Scotland, and now, work with in-care providers to deliver financial and non-financial redress for survivors of historical childhood abuse.  

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Steve Thomas

Team Leader & Risk Management Consultant, Gallagher

Steve is a Chartered Safety Practitioner with 25 years’ experience delivering health & safety, risk and insurance advice and support in the commercial, public and not for profit sectors. Steve has a particular interest in employer’s and public liability claims and claim defensibility; assisting clients minimise and mitigate their exposures to these risks.

Based on the Wales/England border just north of Abergavenny in South Wales, Steve travels extensively throughout the UK providing clients with support and guidance in the development of risk management systems, operational risk planning and evidence based risk mitigation.

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Derek Hamilton

Category Manager (Environment and Fleet and Corporate Procurement Policy), Fife Council

Derek has 30 plus years in procurement within the public sector.

He has been involved in the procurement of about anything you can imagine a Council needs, including a Totem Pole and Pee Hens!

Derek has recently rewritten and launched an updated and revised Fife Council Standing Orders and looking to update and where required, create new, processes and guidance documents.

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Eric Alter

Risk & Cyber Engagement Leader, Marsh

Eric joined Marsh in 2007 and has in excess of 25 years risk management experience; this includes working directly for a public sector entity.

Eric specialises in working with clients to create awareness of specific areas of risk and then creates proportionate mitigation strategies that improve insurability and governance.

Eric acts as Senior Relationship Offices on a number of accounts, including a large public sector entity and understands and appreciates the challenges facing the sector.

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Maria Hadro

Category Buyer – Corporate and Financial Services, YPO

Maria looks after YPO insurance portfolio, including the brokerage framework, insurance placement DPS, insurance placement DPS for housing sector and engineering inspections framework agreement. Maria is responsible for supporting customers when it comes to the calling-off procedure on the solutions. 

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Matthew Hardwick

Senior Risk Consultant, Zurich Municipal

Matt has over ten years' experience of risk management, with extensive experience in supporting senior managers, corporate leaders and operational managers in understanding what good looks like, and how to embed these practices across their organsiations. Matt has worked across the public sector, extensively with local authorities, as well as taking an active lead with third sector organisations. 

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Andy Gray

Risk Engineer, Protector Insurance

Andrew’s previous career as a plumbing and heating engineer in construction brings over 14 years' practical experience from both local authority and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. Andrew joined Protector in 2019 and has previously worked for a national broker, accountancy firm and water utility company in different risk roles. A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA (Hons) in Risk Management, he is also Cert CII and IRM Cert qualified.

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Donal O'Hanlon

Risk Engineer, Protector Insurance

Donal has more than 30 years' insurance industry experience, with 26 years in risk management having worked for insurance companies, brokers and been an in-house risk manager for a major international retailer. With experience of organisations from SME’s to FTSE 100 companies, Donal was also a local authority Councillor for eight years. His role involves undertaking risk management reviews and providing consultancy/reports. Donal's specialisms include risk management, public sector management, fire safety and protection, security, business interruption, employers' and public liability risks, and product safety.

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Phil Farrar

National Development Director, Risk Management Partners

Phil began his career in 1986 with Municipal Mutual and worked at two of their branches where he stayed for 12 years, working as part of their National Public Sector Team. He joined RMP in 2004, where he was responsible for service delivery in the North of England and Scotland, as well as managing his own accounts.

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Stuart Hamilton

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager, South Lanarkshire Council

Stuart Hamilton is a health and safety professional with a strong commitment in developing the interest of those, of all ages, looking to develop a career in health and safety. Starting as a graduate management trainee in the fire industry, Stuart has also had experience in the chemical industry, retail, passenger transport and, for the last 30 years, the local authority sector.

Having spent 25 years as the lead health and safety professional for several Scottish Councils, he brings a wholly relevant level of knowledge and experience to this discussion.  

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Gill Milner

Head of Risk Management Solutions – Casualty Classes, Aviva

Gill has over 20 years’ experience in fleet risk management. At Aviva, she works closely with clients to implement an integrated risk management approach, through the development of tailored solutions, utilising technology to manage driver risk, influence behaviour, enhance business risk control methodologies, with the aim of reducing clients’ total cost of risk. Before working in insurance, Gill worked in industry including a unitary local authority, specialising in health and safety, food safety and fleet.

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Sara MacKenzie

Corporate Risk Manager, NHS Forth Valley

Sara moved to NHS FV as Corporate Risk Manager in spring 2022 after spending almost 20 years in a variety of roles within Scottish Policing. Since joining NHS FV, she has expanded the risk team, implemented a new risk management strategy, and introduced risk appetite and tolerance to the Board.

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Vicky Webb

Risk Management Advisor, NHS Forth Valley

Vicky moved to NHS FV towards the end of 2022, after working with Stirling Council for 3 years as their Threat & Risk Officer.  Vicky has played a key role in developing and delivering Risk Management training within NHS FV, and provides support to the Acute, Nursing and Women and Children’s Directorates.  Vicky is working towards her International Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management and has recently become Chair of the ALARM Health and Social Care Group.

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Lynne Macfarlane

Partner & Solicitor Advocate, DWF

Lynne is a Partner, Solicitor Advocate and accredited specialist in personal injury law. Lynne joined DWF from Clyde & Co. in September 2019 to strengthen and develop the firm's technical expertise in complex and high value litigation. Lynne's depth of experience in the sector, combined with her knowledge of the market, and client contacts, significantly enhances DWF's Scottish offering. She has extensive experience acting for local authorities throughout Scotland and has defended a huge variety of local authority claims in her 20 year career.

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Debbie Connor

Senior Associate, DWF

Debbie is a senior associate and accredited specialist in personal injury law, having joined DWF from Clyde & Co in May 2020. Her specific areas of expertise include fraud and mainstream employers' liability, public liability and road traffic accident claims. Debbie has spent her 20 year career dealing with defender reparation work and appears regularly in courts throughout Scotland. 

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Alistair Halley

Director – Executive MCL Adjuster, Sedgwick

No bio provided

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Ruth Kydd

Insurance Manager, City of Edinburgh Council

Ruth started working in insurance in 2004, and has worked in insurance with Local Government since 2015. Her current role is Insurance Manager for the City of Edinburgh Council and she is Chair for the Scotland branch of ALARM.

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Paul Owens

MCL Operations Director Scotland & Northern Ireland, Sedgwick

No bio provided

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Lesley Allan

Partner, Kennedys

Lesley is a Partner in Kennedys' Celtic Team. Her practice focuses on public sector, third sector and blue light issues. She regularly acts for local authorities, care service providers, educational, and charitable organisations. Lesley has acted for clients in a wide range of social care and safeguarding issues, including claims related to moving and handling, management of challenging behaviours, historical abuse claims, and fatal accident inquiries. 

Lesley has represented clients in the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, and advised clients on potential engagement in the Redress Scheme, which offers an alternative to litigation for survivors of historical child abuse.

---

Eric Alter

Risk & Cyber Engagement Leader, Marsh

Eric joined Marsh in 2007 and has in excess of 25 years risk management experience; this includes working directly for a public sector entity.

Eric specialises in working with clients to create awareness of specific areas of risk and then creates proportionate mitigation strategies that improve insurability and governance.

Eric acts as Senior Relationship Offices on a number of accounts, including a large public sector entity and understands and appreciates the challenges facing the sector.

---

Claire Clarke

Deputy Head of Operations, Scottish Government

I joined the Scottish Government in 2021 where my work involved responding, on behalf of the Scottish Government, to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. I took up my current role within Redress Operations in May 2023.  Prior to this, I worked for Police Scotland for 13 years. During this time, I spent five years as a Detective Sergeant within the Public Protection arena, which included work in non-recent child abuse. It was this work which inspired me to continue my career within Redress, and I strive to make a positive difference to the lives of survivors of childhood abuse. 

---

Debbie Connor

Senior Associate, DWF

Debbie is a senior associate and accredited specialist in personal injury law, having joined DWF from Clyde & Co in May 2020. Her specific areas of expertise include fraud and mainstream employers' liability, public liability and road traffic accident claims. Debbie has spent her 20 year career dealing with defender reparation work and appears regularly in courts throughout Scotland. 

---

Phil Farrar

National Development Director, Risk Management Partners

Phil began his career in 1986 with Municipal Mutual and worked at two of their branches where he stayed for 12 years, working as part of their National Public Sector Team. He joined RMP in 2004, where he was responsible for service delivery in the North of England and Scotland, as well as managing his own accounts.

---

Andy Gray

Risk Engineer, Protector Insurance

Andrew’s previous career as a plumbing and heating engineer in construction brings over 14 years' practical experience from both local authority and private sector organisations in the UK and overseas. Andrew joined Protector in 2019 and has previously worked for a national broker, accountancy firm and water utility company in different risk roles. A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University with a BA (Hons) in Risk Management, he is also Cert CII and IRM Cert qualified.

---

Maria Hadro

Category Buyer – Corporate and Financial Services, YPO

Maria looks after YPO insurance portfolio, including the brokerage framework, insurance placement DPS, insurance placement DPS for housing sector and engineering inspections framework agreement. Maria is responsible for supporting customers when it comes to the calling-off procedure on the solutions. 

---

Irene Hallett

Clinical Negligence and Other Risks Indemnity Scheme (CNORIS) Manager, NHS National Services Scotland, Central Legal Office

No bio provided

---

Alistair Halley

Director – Executive MCL Adjuster, Sedgwick

No bio provided

---

Derek Hamilton

Category Manager (Environment and Fleet and Corporate Procurement Policy), Fife Council

Derek has 30 plus years in procurement within the public sector.

He has been involved in the procurement of about anything you can imagine a Council needs, including a Totem Pole and Pee Hens!

Derek has recently rewritten and launched an updated and revised Fife Council Standing Orders and looking to update and where required, create new, processes and guidance documents.

---

Stuart Hamilton

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager, South Lanarkshire Council

Stuart Hamilton is a health and safety professional with a strong commitment in developing the interest of those, of all ages, looking to develop a career in health and safety. Starting as a graduate management trainee in the fire industry, Stuart has also had experience in the chemical industry, retail, passenger transport and, for the last 30 years, the local authority sector.

Having spent 25 years as the lead health and safety professional for several Scottish Councils, he brings a wholly relevant level of knowledge and experience to this discussion.  

---

Matthew Hardwick

Senior Risk Consultant, Zurich Municipal

Matt has over ten years' experience of risk management, with extensive experience in supporting senior managers, corporate leaders and operational managers in understanding what good looks like, and how to embed these practices across their organsiations. Matt has worked across the public sector, extensively with local authorities, as well as taking an active lead with third sector organisations. 

---

Nicola Hughes

Unit Head – Contributions, Finance and Business Management, Scottish Government

For over 12 years, I have worked in various child-focused practitioner, policy and leadership roles in local government, third sector and national government. I have worked with care experienced children and families, as well as those affected by poverty and discrimination. From 2017, I led a multi-disciplinary team within Save The Children to design and deliver national programmes in schools, communities and the home to further the wellbeing and educational attainment of children. Moving to Scottish Government in early 2020, I have led programmes of work to support public authorities to further realise the rights of children in Scotland, and now, work with in-care providers to deliver financial and non-financial redress for survivors of historical childhood abuse.  

---

Ruth Kydd

Insurance Manager, City of Edinburgh Council

Ruth started working in insurance in 2004, and has worked in insurance with Local Government since 2015. Her current role is Insurance Manager for the City of Edinburgh Council and she is Chair for the Scotland branch of ALARM.

---

Lynne Macfarlane

Partner & Solicitor Advocate, DWF

Lynne is a Partner, Solicitor Advocate and accredited specialist in personal injury law. Lynne joined DWF from Clyde & Co. in September 2019 to strengthen and develop the firm's technical expertise in complex and high value litigation. Lynne's depth of experience in the sector, combined with her knowledge of the market, and client contacts, significantly enhances DWF's Scottish offering. She has extensive experience acting for local authorities throughout Scotland and has defended a huge variety of local authority claims in her 20 year career.

---

Sara MacKenzie

Corporate Risk Manager, NHS Forth Valley

Sara moved to NHS FV as Corporate Risk Manager in spring 2022 after spending almost 20 years in a variety of roles within Scottish Policing. Since joining NHS FV, she has expanded the risk team, implemented a new risk management strategy, and introduced risk appetite and tolerance to the Board.

---

Gill Milner

Head of Risk Management Solutions – Casualty Classes, Aviva

Gill has over 20 years’ experience in fleet risk management. At Aviva, she works closely with clients to implement an integrated risk management approach, through the development of tailored solutions, utilising technology to manage driver risk, influence behaviour, enhance business risk control methodologies, with the aim of reducing clients’ total cost of risk. Before working in insurance, Gill worked in industry including a unitary local authority, specialising in health and safety, food safety and fleet.

---

Anne Norrie

Regional Manager, Zurich Municipal

Anne is the Regional Manager for Zurich Municipal in Scotland and leads a team of risk and insurance consultants that provide insurance and risk management guidance for Scottish public sector organisations. She joined ZM as a Risk and Insurance Consultant specialising in local authorities and housing in 2014 and was promoted to the position of Regional Manager in 2016. Prior to joining ZM Anne worked as a Commercial Underwriting Manager and Account Executive with a global insurer and broker – she has over 25 years of experience working in the insurance sector .

 

---

Donal O'Hanlon

Risk Engineer, Protector Insurance

Donal has more than 30 years' insurance industry experience, with 26 years in risk management having worked for insurance companies, brokers and been an in-house risk manager for a major international retailer. With experience of organisations from SME’s to FTSE 100 companies, Donal was also a local authority Councillor for eight years. His role involves undertaking risk management reviews and providing consultancy/reports. Donal's specialisms include risk management, public sector management, fire safety and protection, security, business interruption, employers' and public liability risks, and product safety.

---

Paul Owens

MCL Operations Director Scotland & Northern Ireland, Sedgwick

No bio provided

---

Steve Thomas

Team Leader & Risk Management Consultant, Gallagher

Steve is a Chartered Safety Practitioner with 25 years’ experience delivering health & safety, risk and insurance advice and support in the commercial, public and not for profit sectors. Steve has a particular interest in employer’s and public liability claims and claim defensibility; assisting clients minimise and mitigate their exposures to these risks.

Based on the Wales/England border just north of Abergavenny in South Wales, Steve travels extensively throughout the UK providing clients with support and guidance in the development of risk management systems, operational risk planning and evidence based risk mitigation.

---

Vicky Webb

Risk Management Advisor, NHS Forth Valley

Vicky moved to NHS FV towards the end of 2022, after working with Stirling Council for 3 years as their Threat & Risk Officer.  Vicky has played a key role in developing and delivering Risk Management training within NHS FV, and provides support to the Acute, Nursing and Women and Children’s Directorates.  Vicky is working towards her International Diploma in Enterprise Risk Management and has recently become Chair of the ALARM Health and Social Care Group.

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