ALARM National Conference 2025: Turn Up the Volume

James Arrowsmith

Partner, Browne Jacobson

Naomi Bailey

Senior Risk Control Consultant - Public Sector, Travelers

Chris Barrett

Senior Audit Manager of Fraud and Propriety, National Audit Office

Alistair Barrie

Alistair Barrie is a regular at London's world-famous Comedy Store and a core member of their weekly topical 'Cutting Edge' team.  Alistair has appeared regularly on Sky News and BBC News to speak on political affairs such as Bye George a comedy show he created and compered, allowing comedians to say goodbye to George W. Bush when his presidency ended. As a stand-up comedian, Alistair has performed at the world’s most popular festivals including Glastonbury, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Latitude Festival, Bestival and the Cape Town Comedy Festival to name a few.

Adam Bayliss

Managing Director, Maven Public Sector

Adam has over 22 years of insurance experience, primarily supporting the delivery of a wide range of public sector insurance programmes. Since joining Maven Public Sector in 2018, Adam became Managing Director in January 2025. With his sector experience spanning key areas such as technical underwriting, risk control, and claims management, Adam is well-positioned to oversee the delivery of services to the public sector. Through understanding the unique needs of public sector organisations, Maven has the capability to offer bespoke, flexible, and tailor-made solutions.

Hannah Beddis

Partner, Weightmans

Anthony Bennett

Anthony Bennett is an inspirational and motivational speaker and fundraiser who learned how to walk and talk again after contracting three virus infections at the same time.

In 2006, after returning from a school trip Anthony fell extremely ill and was left fighting for his life.

The cause was narrowed down to the air conditioning within the coach and affected 80% of students on the trip but left Anthony with 10% chance of survival after contracting three viral infections - Streph-Pneumonia, Influenza, and Staphylococcus.

After making a full recovery, Anthony played a major role in winning a £7.5 million charity partnership between Whitbread PLC and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, where he spent four years traveling the UK and inspiring teams to get involved in raising the much-needed funds for the charity's. The money raised went towards the construction of a brand new cardiac hospital wing, helping at the children’s hospital to treat up to 20% more children.

Now an international speaker, Anthony inspires audiences globally.

Daniel Bennett

Risk and Assurance Manager, Beyond Housing

Richard Brown

Assistant Director, CMA

Richard Brown is an Assistant Director in the Catels Enforcement Team within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). He has led investigations in a number of cartel investigations (both civil and criminal cases).

Richard has been at the CMA since its creation in 2014 having joined one of its precursor agencies, the OFT. Richard is by background a criminal barrister who practiced for ten years in the criminal courts defending and prosecuting the full range of criminal offences. He then joined the Government Legal Service in 2008 working at the Serious Organised Crime Agency where he conducted civil recovery proceedings, aiming to seize the proceeds of unlawful conduct. He also worked in the Attorney General’s Office advising on the wide spectrum of legal issues and litigation directly involving the Attorney General, in particular the potential adverse impact of reporting on high profile judicial proceedings.

Ian Clarke

Barrister, Deka Chambers

Philip Coley CIRM MBCI

Risk & Resilience Consultant, Zurich Resilience Solutions

No bio provided

Neil Collington

Senior Account Manager, Public Services, Zurich Municipal

Neil has been a valued member of Zurich since 2012, when he joined as a Claims Inspector. With a wealth of experience in the industry dating back to 1999, he has held various roles, including that of a Counter Fraud Investigator.

Since 2018, Neil has been part of Zurich Municipal, initially focusing on our Charities and Social Organisations in Scotland. He later transitioned to our Public Services team, where he plays a crucial role in supporting large municipal and unitary authorities with their insurance and risk management programs.

Chris Coyne

Audit Manager, National Audit Office

Nicola Dawn

Partner, Forbes Solicitors

Sarah Dodd

Director, Tree Law

Paul Dudley

Caroline Elson

Senior Associate, Kennedys

Phil Farrar

National Development Director, Risk Management Partners

Paul Francis

Head of Claims, UM Association Limited

Paul has been Head of Claims at UMAL since April 2020. Paul has worked in the insurance industry since 1987 when he started his career at Eagle Star. Paul joined Travelers (then the St Paul) in 1998 where he performed several roles including Technical Claims Manager for a private and public sector book of business including private hospitals, utilities, NHS Trusts and local authorities generating EL, PL, products liability, medical malpractice, motor and property claims before becoming Senior Claims Manager for the EL and PL claims function across the UK and Ireland.

In 2016 Paul joined Haven Claims as their Technical Claims Manager, managing a large team of technical claim handlers responsible for high value and complex motor claims including personal injury claims of the utmost severity.

Paul is an ACII qualified Chartered Insurer.

John Goodman

Partner, DAC Beachcroft

Lisa Gordon

Senior Environment Consultant, EFI Global

Paul Green

Underwriting Team Leader, Public Services

No bio provided

Carl Gurney

Director - Renewable Energy Practice UK and Ireland, Gallagher

Carl Gurney has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years and specifically in the Renewable Energy Sector for 20 years. He has sat on advisory boards and steering groups, whilst also consulting on policy and permits with government and regulators. Carl has written a number of articles and spoken at numerous events explaining the important role the insurance industry plays in helping to mitigate climate change and securing energy security.

Shelley Hackett

Public Sector Development Underwriter, Travelers

Duncan Hamilton

Subsidence Lead, McLarens

Samantha Healey

Consulting Lead, Gallagher

Russell Heppleston

Risk Manager, National Audit Office

Perry Hill

Partner, DWF

David Holmes

Associate (FCILEx), Kennedys

David is an associate - FCILEX within Kennedys specialist liability team, liability defence division. He has extensive experience acting for local authorities, police forces and corporate bodies in relation to a wide range of specialist liability claims, including data breach, failure to remove, abuse & death in care matters. David has focussed on specialist data breach & Subject Access Request claims, including relating to the sharing of social care records in high-risk situations, loss of employee personnel files, alleged failure to retain CCTV & complex allegations relating to inappropriate retention of police criminal records.

Natasha Howles

Liability Adjuster, McLarens

Naomi Hughes

Delivery Lead - Higher Education, Waterstons

Jahnavi Jagadish

Governance and Risk Management Advisor, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Stephen Johnson

Partner, DAC Beachcroft

Nichola Johnston

Senior Associate, Kennedys

Nick Jones

Creative Director, Gallagher

Nick has been part of the communications practice at Gallagher since 2017. As a creative strategist with a specialised focus on employee experience, design, and storytelling, he brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to every project. As Head of Creative, Nick is dedicated to crafting human-centric experiences, using research, data, and insights to create compelling narratives that deeply resonate with audiences. His meticulous attention to detail ensures that every visual and content design meets the highest standards of creativity and innovation.

With extensive experience on both the client and agency sides, Nick has led creative initiatives, built trust, and forged positive relationships through his ability to transform complex ideas into meaningful, impactful experiences for brands like Amazon, ALDI, BMW, Christie’s, GameStop, EY, Moderna, NetApp, Sodexo, Starbucks, and Workday.

Alicja Konstantinidis-Pereira

Assistant Director, Strategy Planning and Insight Office, Durham University

Alicja joined Durham in 2024. She has extensive experience working in higher education, leading high performing teams and delivering change in the areas of planning, business intelligence and statutory returns. Her previous roles include the Head of Planning and Analytics at Lancaster University, Head of Data Analytics at the University of Plymouth and planning and analytical roles at Oxford Brookes and the University of Oxford.

Alicja's professional interests lie in delivering novel, optimal ways of measuring performance, developing KPIs, contextualising quantitative findings with qualitative research to provide holistic actionable recommendations and through this creating an evidence-based decision-making culture in the organisation. Her research interests include HE policy and practice and widening participation in particular, focusing on outcomes of underrepresented groups.

Pooja Krishna ACII

Senior Development Underwriter, Travelers

Pooja has over 23 years property and casualty underwriting experience, managing accounts & portfolios including public sector and commercial clients across various sector businesses of manufacturing, distribution, retail, education, charity, hospitality, leisure and care both within the UK and abroad.

Pooja joined Travelers in the Public Sector team in 2021. Pooja is focused on new business and also manages a book of existing book in addition to acting as a key referral point in the team.

Vanessa Latham

Partner, Keoghs

Karen Locke

Risk Manager, Renfrewshire Council

Rebecca Maby

Partner, Kennedys

Rebecca is a Partner in the Public Sector, Abuse and Specialist Liability Team and is based in Kennedys' London office. She specialises in the defence of complex liability claims for the public sector and has worked in this area for almost 20 years. Her clients include local authorities, police forces and their insurers. She also handles claims for schools and other institutions on instructions from insurers.

Rebecca’s practice includes the defence of abuse claims, human rights claims and other claims involving complex duty of care issues. She is also regularly instructed in Inquests.

Rebecca has developed a specialist data breach practice defending data and privacy claims for our public sector clients and is well known in the market for her work in this area.

Richard Mackie

Associate Director, RSM UK Risk Assurance Services LLP

Clive Martin

Head of the Government Risk Profession, HM Treasury

Bryan McCracken

Risk Control Consultant, Risk Management Partners

Laura McHugh

Partner, Forbes Solicitors

Laura is a Partner with over fifteen years of experience in employment law. She has acted almost exclusively for clients in the education sector for a number of those years, but now also regularly acts for local authorities and housing associations, providing pragmatic and proactive advice together, with regards to all aspects of employment law. Laura deals with both contentious and non-contentious matters and has particular expertise in handling complex discrimination and whistle-blowing employment tribunal claims.

Michelle McMillan

Operations Manager (Risk), City of Edinburgh Council

Michelle has worked in local authority risk management for over 20 years. Having started her career with Shropshire County Council and now working as Chief Risk Officer at City of Edinburgh Council supporting colleagues in Risk Management as part of the Council Corporate Risk Management team.

Working as Module Coach for the Institute of Risk Management, Michelle supports students in the penultimate part of the Institute of Risk Management International Diploma in Risk Management (Resilience, Perception and Society module). Michelle has a particular interest in Resilience and Risk Culture in the workplace.

Michelle enjoys crafting as well as all the benefits of living in Edinburgh with great walks, restaurants and shopping there is always plenty to do!

Stan Neal

Sector Specialist - Education, Waterstons

Stan Neal has wide-ranging experience of the higher education sector in both academic and strategic roles at different institutions. Most recently, Stan worked in the Strategic Planning and Insight Team at Durham University and now uses his experience within the higher education sector to help institutions use technology to realise goals, efficiencies and innovations. With a background in data analysis, strategic planning and insight, he has worked alongside senior teams to understand challenges, and drive change.

Nick Newman

Partner, Weightmans

Jonathan Nulty

Associate Consultant, RSM UK Risk Assurance Services LLP

Jonathan has worked in the public sector for 28 years, in local government roles and as a consultant. He has worked on past iterations of local government reorganisation, as well as innovative partnership solutions and performance improvement. He is a seasoned speaker and trainer at seminars and conferences for PwC, CIPFA, RSM and more. 

He now specialises in risk, governance, partnership working and performance management. He regularly works with local authorities and other public sector bodies to review and refine their approach to risk management and governance in line with best practice. He is currently delivering RSM’s thought leadership on emerging risks around the upcoming local government reorganisation.

Kelly Oliver

Risk Manager, Newcastle University

Andy Peacock

Risk Manager, UM Association Limited

Andy joined UMAL in December 2021. Throughout his career he has held various Health and Safety roles within the heavy metals sector, facilities management and the agriculture sector in both the UK and Europe. Most recently, eight years as a senior account coordinator with Travelers Insurance. Andy has a keen interest in delivering health and safety training throughout his career and regularly delivered IOSH, CIEH and NEBOSH courses in line with his customers’ needs.

Andy graduated from University of South Wales in 2002 with an engineering degree and gained a post graduate degree in Business in 2003 from the Welsh Business School. In 2005 he completed his NEBOSH Diploma. He is a Certified Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Anthony Poole

Partner, Capital Solutions, Aon

Justine Poulton CPFA CMIIA

Head of Internal Audit, South Gloucestershire Council

Joshua Reddaway

Director of Fraud and Propriety, National Audit Office

David Ridgewell

Director – UK Construction, Aon

Dave has over 30 years' broking experience, both claims and placing, with the last 19 years focused on UK owner led construction insurances.

James Roberts

CEO, UM Association Limited

James joined UMAL as CEO (Designate) in September 2023, becoming CEO in December 2023 and has over 30 year experience in the insurance sector.

James started his career at Eagle Star in 1990 (Zurich since 1997) carrying out a number of Underwriting, Distribution and Management roles across the Midlands, North West and South East.

In 2007 James became Head of Navigators and General, the specialist Pleasurecraft insurance division of Zurich, before taking on the role of Head of Region for the Southeast and most latterly at Zurich the role of UK Head of Sales and Distribution, and a member of the Retail Exec.

Having left Zurich in March 2020, James became Chief Commercial Officer and Director at ZavFit Ltd (a health tech start-up) along with establishing his own consultancy business supporting the scaling up of a number of commercial insurance brokers and Insuretechs across the UK.

Gavin Rowell

Director of Loss Adjusting, Innovation Group

Gavin joined Innovation Group in April 2024 as part of Innovation Group's continuing growth plans fortheir Loss Adjusting and Claims Management operations. He is an experienced loss adjuster, liability adjuster, TPA manager and operations director, with over 30 years in the industry, investigating and handling all manner of liability and property claims and managing teams of staff, including their technical audit, supervision and training.

Jody Smith

ICT Business Analyst, Beyond Housing

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.

Bridget Tatham

Partner, Browne Jacobson

Steve Thomas

Principal Risk Consultant – Liability, Crawford & Company

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 employers' 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.

Marta Tomlinson

Legal Director, Kennedys

Marta is a Legal Director in the Crime and Regulatory Team at Kennedys. Based out of the Sheffield office she represents individuals and organisations being investigated or prosecuted by quasi-criminal organisations including the police, HSE, Environment Agency and local authorities.

Chris Walker

Head of Risk Management, Durham University

Cynthia Watts

Partner, Keoghs

Cynthia leads Keoghs specialist Public Sector Team. Since qualifying, Cynthia has practised in bespoke teams dedicated to defending civil claims brought against public bodies, principally local authorities and the police. As well as inquests and other advisory work, her civil claims experience spans personal injury, the Human Rights Act, the Equality Act, abuse, claims against social services departments and schools, and the whole range of claims brought against the police.

Mandy Williams

Senior Associate (FCILEX), Kennedys

Mark Wills

Health, Safety and Risk Manager, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Nick Wilson

Associate Director – Government, Housing, Education & Public Sector, Gallagher

Joshua Woolley

Underwriter, Protector Insurance

No bio provided

George Wraith

Risk Engineer, Protector Insurance