Our Team

Craig’s career in commercial insurance claims spans over 30 years. During that time he has worked for insurers, loss adjusters and brokers, giving him a unique insight into all areas of the claims process. Craig holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has a particular specialism in property and liability claims, but has a broad knowledge of all areas of commercial insurance claims. Craig joined Pound Gates in May 2014. He prides himself on not taking ‘no’ for an answer and in getting the best possible outcome for our clients.

Lydia joined the Underwriting team in 2023, having worked in financial services for many years prior to this. Having moved to Ipswich in the last few years, Lydia enjoys exploring Suffolk and finding new restaurants and places to visit with her young family.

Helen has worked in the insurance industry since 2009 and has experience in both the Removals and Storage sector as well as General Insurance. Helen holds the Certificate of Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. Helen has been married since 2008 and enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys walking with her husband and daughter. Helen has a passion for Zumba, Take That, cricket and the NFL, her favourite team being the Tennessee Titans.

Ally has worked in Human Resources since graduating in 2005. Prior joining Pound Gates in 2012, Ally worked in various HR generalist and graduate recruitment roles for a global insurance broker. With responsibility for managing the HR approach across the Pound Gates group of companies as well as the facilities services across all our locations, Ally is an Associate member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with a qualification in Human Resources Management. Outside of work Ally enjoys spending time with her fur-babies, reading and travelling as often as time and funds allow!

Christine joined Pound Gates in June 2018, and works across all of the Pound Gates’ companies, including our charity The Soma Leo Foundation. She has over 20 years’ marketing experience gained from a range of industries, and both in-house and agency-side roles. Her experience covers everything from branding to crisis management, event management to web development, social media to video production, and strategy to investor relations.

Chelsea joined the Client Services team in 2023, with over 12 years of insurance experience. She prides herself in providing high levels of customer service and really getting to know her customers. Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, looking after a horse with her daughter and going to the gym.

Lorane joined Pound Gates in 2022, as a Client Executive to manage a portfolio of clients. She previously worked at Pound Gates between 2003 and 2005 as an Underwriter, and took a break to raise a family. She is a season ticket holder at Ipswich Town Football Club and enjoys socialising with family and friends, and going for long walks with her two dogs.

Harry joined Pound Gates in 2024 after five years in the industry. He holds the Diploma in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute. He is very customer focused and enjoys building strong relationships with his clients. Outside of work, Harry enjoys travelling, socialising with friends and supporting his team, Ipswich Town Football Club.

Kevin graduated from University College Dublin in 1989 with a Masters Degree in Economics. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute having started his professional career with a major insurance company. Kevin joined the business in 2000 and led the management buy-out in 2002. He is proud of the accreditations the business holds, but more important than these quality badges is the client feedback and testimonials we receive. Kevin is delighted our clients see our business as an important partner in the success of their businesses.

Liz joined Pound Gates in 2023 as a Client Executive to manage a portfolio of clients. She has worked for insurance companies and insurance brokers in Ipswich since 1983 and is very customer focused, using her experience to assist clients. Liz holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. She enjoys gardening, reading and socialising with friends.

Sian has over 25 years insurance experience, 24 of which have been on the nursery scheme, having joined Pound Gates as a trainee in 1994. Sian is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and holds the Certificate of Insurance.

Sian is married with two children, both of which attended nursery from 10 months old when she returned to work. Sian feels that having had two children at nursery gives her a good understanding and insight of the sector to help her daily in her job. Sian is a Qualified Mental Health First Aider and a committee member at the pre-school and out of school club that her children attend.

Joanne joined Pound Gates in 2023, as a Client Executive to manage a portfolio of clients. She started her insurance career at GRE as a commercial underwriter. She moved onto General Accident, which via various mergers became Aviva, where she had several roles within the commercial team, including: underwriter, team manager, project manager, commercial manager and on-site underwriter working within brokers’ offices. After 27 years with insurers, she moved into broking, and has been working in the general insurance market for 11 years supporting clients with their insurance needs. Joanne is married and lives in Felixstowe. She enjoys travelling and visiting interesting places. Joanne is an ITFC supporter.

Angie has worked in commercial insurance for over 20 years, always within the broking environment. Angie’s particular area of expertise is managing claims in the removals and self-storage sectors, but she also has a very broad knowledge of all areas of commercial insurance claims. Angie holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Viv has spent 18 years within the broking insurance industry having joined Pound Gates in June 2005. Viv takes pride on giving excellent service and advice to her numerous clients. She holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. Viv has three grown up children and five grandchildren and in her spare time socialises with her family. Viv is a keen traveller and enjoys holidaying abroad and has visited numerous countries.

Sophie joined Pound Gates in 2001. She is highly proficient in all areas of commercial claims and has a particular specialism in managing claims in the removals and self-storage sectors. Sophie holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Jacqui joined Pound Gates in 2016, after a 20-year career as an underwriter and claims handler for major insurance companies. Her focus is on the removals and storage sector where she combines her sector knowledge and customer service skills to build strong relationships with her clients. She holds the Certificate in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute. Jacqui enjoys family life with her partner, 4 children and dog Monty, socialising with her family and friends, gardening and watching musicals.

Jayne joined Pound Gates as Accounts Assistant in 2023 and is currently studying AAT Level 2 certificate in accountancy.

Jayne is married with five children and enjoys a busy family life. In her spare time, Jayne likes to exercise, taking long walks with her dog Lottie, swimming and Zumba. Jayne loves to cook and socialise with friends and family.

Jennifer joined Pound Gates in 2019 having recently started out in the accounting and finance industry. She has passed her AAT Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting and plans to continue studying the qualification alongside her role here as Accounts Assistant. In her down time, she enjoys exercise, reading, board games and jetting off with her travel buddies to countries new.

Gemma joined Pound Gates in 2017 and has worked in accounts and finance roles since 2013. She has recently completed the final level of the AAT Accounting qualification. In her spare time, Gemma enjoys baking and reading. She is also part of the Doing Good Action Group which organises fund raising for various charities on behalf of the company.

Neil has worked in the general insurance market for over 25 years and has handled placement of numerous medium and large complex risks. Neil’s specialism is in the removals and self-storage sector where he is highly regarded for his comprehensive knowledge of the options available contractually, by utilising all terms and conditions currently utilised within the sector. His experience in identifying gaps in cover and reducing risk can be demonstrated through his work with both new and existing clients. Neil holds the Advanced Diploma (ACII) qualification and is responsible for managing the overall relationship with his clients.

Daisie joined the Client Services team in 2023, having worked in the industry for five years. She takes pride in her job and loves getting to know her customers and learning about their businesses. She is currently studying towards her Cert CII and is a member of the BIBA Young Brokers Committee. On the weekends, she occasionally helps at a calf unit, and enjoys going out and about in the countryside.

Shirley joined Pound Gates in August 2008 and has supported our nursery scheme for the Childcare Sector for the past ten years. During this time she has built up good relationships with many clients. Shirley holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. She is also a member of the charity committee. Shirley has three grown up children and three grandchildren with a fourth one being born in America shortly. In her spare time, she spends a lot of time with her Grandchildren, and also enjoys travelling especially to America to see her son and his wife and soon to be new grandson and Peanut the dog.

Julia rejoined the accounts team in August 2023 having previously worked for Pound Gates between 2015 to 2019. Prior to joining Pound Gates Julia worked for a global insurance broker in various accounts roles.

Abigail joined Pound Gates in 2008 with seven years previous insurance experience, and holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. In supporting our Nursery Scheme clients for over 10 years and representing Pound Gates at NDNA member events around the UK, she has gained a strong understanding of issues within the sector and also thus supported the development of the Nursery Scheme. Abigail is married and she and her husband enjoy cycling and walking together in the beautiful Suffolk countryside where they live. They love to travel, exploring the local history and cuisine but also look forward to the winter season combining this passion for food with snowboarding in Europe.

Kerry has worked in the insurance industry for 27 years, having previously worked for Aviva Insurance Ltd. She joined Pound Gates in 2010 and holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. Kerry is married with two children. She is the resident choreographer for a local theatre company, having previously been a professional dancer, and enjoys going to the theatre.

Kerry joined Pound Gates in 2011 having spent the previous 10 years with a major motor insurer. She has an extensive knowledge of motor claims, but has also developed a broad knowledge of all commercial claim types during her time with Pound Gates, including claims in the removals and self-storage sectors. Kerry holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Del started his career as a commercial underwriter with Commercial Union in 1994, progressing through various senior roles as the organisation merged with General Accident and later Norwich Union to become Aviva. Del is Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and holds the Advanced Diploma (ACII) qualification. He joined Pound Gates in 2001 and became a Director in 2013. Del is married with two daughters. He is a keen cyclist and very amateur tennis player. Del is also responsible for managing the Pound Gates’ Acorn Fund with the Suffolk Community Foundation.

Debbie has spent nearly 20 years in the insurance industry, focusing on all aspects of marine insurance. She has held senior positions at JLT, HSBC and Marsh handling portfolios of international business. Debbie joined Pound Gates in 2014 as a marine, transport and logistics specialist. She is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Broker.

Richard joined Pound Gates in 2022. In his 40+ years within commercial broking he has built up a wealth of experience across numerous industries. He relishes the challenge of seeking the widest cover at competitive cost. Richard is a father of two daughters and a frequent golfer.

Kayleigh joined Pound Gates in 2016 and has worked in accounts and finance roles since 2005 in a range of industries including Public Sector Services, Healthcare and Pub, Retail and Brewery. She became Assistant Management Accountant in April 2017. She is currently CIMA Cert BA qualified and continuing with her accounting studies.

Josh joined Pound Gates in 2016 and leads the Finance and Commercial team. He is a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He has held senior positions in a range of industries including Import / Export of goods, Energy, Manufacturing and Retail. He is responsible for developing and implementing commercial strategies in line with the company’s objectives. He is also responsible for a number of key clients and these range from local businesses through to large multinationals. He will act as your senior level contact within Pound Gates. Josh is married with two young children. He is a keen supporter of Arsenal FC and is a coach at youth level for a local football club. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling and socialising with friends. Josh is also a Trustee of The Soma Leo Foundation.