From function to influence: Amplifying the voice and influence of public sector risk & insurance leaders

Lord Gavin Barwell

Senior Advisor to PwC

Lord Gavin Barwell acts as a Senior Advisor to PwC on UK politics and geopolitics. As Downing Street Chief of Staff during the last two years of Theresa May's premiership, Gavin was at the heart of government during one of the most turbulent periods in British political history. He has held a number of other roles during his political career including Chief Operating Officer of the Conservative Party, MP for Central Croydon, senior government whip, Minister of Housing and Minister for London. He shares distinctive and highly relevant insights into political and geopolitical risks and opportunities that boards and executives should be considering, including sector specific challenges and opportunities.

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Ellie Carter

AI Deployment Strategist, PwC

Ellie is an AI Deployment Strategist and also the Global Deals Product Lead for the Harvey Alliance. Since its inception, she has led the deployment of the Harvey platform for PwC, driven the product development of codified agents. A technologist by background, Ellie has over five years’ experience building digital tools to solve complex problems. She combines deep business analysis expertise with the latest advances in AI to deliver impactful, embedded solutions for high‑value client use cases. Led AI transformation for Fortune 500 company, delivering $40 million of value through process redesign and agent development.​

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Ray Chitty

Head of Tri-Borough Insurance Service, Tri-Borough Insurance Service

Ray has been working in UK Local Government for 22 years and was the recipient of the ALARM Risk Professional of the Year 2024.

Placing coverage for liabilities to £200M, assets of £21 billion, including bridges, schools, housing, landmark statues such as Eros, Boudicca and even a Banksy.

Self-handling liability claims including responding to high-profile cases such as the tragic and avoidable Grenfell Tower fire

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Philip Coley CIRM MBCI

Risk & Resilience Consultant, Zurich Resilience Solutions

Phil is a highly experienced risk and resilience practitioner having worked in senior internal and customer facing roles within Zurich for 25 years and is a Member of the Business Continuity Institute. 

In doing so, he has extensive experience of working with public sector organizations on developing, implementing and embedding risk and resilience solutions. This includes developing, implementing and reviewing Business Continuity Programmes in line with best practice and facilitating scenario exercises to test resilience

As a Principal Risk Consultant, Phil works with customers to help them to better understand & manage their key risks and to become more resilient and in doing so to deliver on their strategic objectives.

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Ashley Easen

Director of Consulting, Risk Management Partners

Ashley Easen is Risk Consulting Director at Risk Management Partners and Gallagher Bassett. Ashley has worked in the field of risk management and insurance for over 25 years in leadership roles within the public sector, and is experienced in designing and embedding risk management frameworks.

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Russell Heppleston

Chief Auditor and Head of Business Assurance, Buckinghamshire County Council

Russell is a Risk Manager for the Financial and Risk Management Insights team at the NAO. He joined the NAO in 2021 as a risk manager and leads on the NAO’s insight work on risk and resilience. He has nearly 20 years’ experience working in Public Sector, specialising in internal assurance, risk management and governance. He is a Chartered Internal Audit Leader (QIAL) and Certified Risk Manager (CMIRM).

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Miki Jowett

Insurance Strategy Manager, PwC

Miki is a manager in the PwC Deals team based in Cardiff, specialising in insurance strategy. He has experience advising clients across the Public Sector, corporates, and central Government across a range of insurance matters. Prior to PwC, Miki trained as a commercial underwriter and later moved into broking as an Account Executive.  

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Paul Larder

Head of Risk and Assurance, LNER

Paul is Head of Risk and Assurance for LNER and has 15 years’ experience within the rail industry. Paul has worked in internal audit for over 25 years across various industries, including healthcare, investments and rail. Paul currently leads a number of teams within LNER, from audit and risk through to fraud prevention and revenue protection.  After attaining a degree in maths at the University of Liverpool Paul spent several years travelling, working in a variety of roles across the world including for the New South Wales Fire Brigade in Sydney. Paul is FCCA qualified, holds Chartered Manager status and completed an MBA in strategic leadership in 2023.

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Paula McLoughlin

SEERPIC Professional Insurance Lead, Kent Police

No bio provided

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Martin Murphy

Insurance Strategy Associate Director, PwC

Martin co-leads PwC's National Insurance Strategy Team and is a qualified actuary. He has been with PwC for 17 years and has worked with over 50 organisations across the pubic and corporate sectors on optimising insurance processes. He is passionate about the value insurance processes can bring to organisations, as well as the importance of building strong connections between insurance teams and the wider organisation.

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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.

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