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).

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

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 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.