ALARM Midlands: Handle with care

Tim Devine

Regional Managing Director; Government, Housing, Education and Public Sector, Gallagher

Tim leads Gallagher’s Government, Education, Housing and Public Sector business. Tim has been a regular presenter at ALARM events, talking on such topics as risk financing solutions, insurance market conditions and the future of risk and insurance. In addition to his leadership role of specialist business, Tim also leads on ESG across Gallagher's retail business in the UK.

---

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.

---

Ben Jay

AD Finance and Technology (Deputy s151 Officer), Shropshire Council

I joined Shropshire in May 2022 and was quickly thrown into the frontline of trying to sort out the finances! This was not a surprise, and not new for me – I have worked in a number of pressurised situations before, securing strong financial outcomes (including both NHS and LG settings). The opportunity to link up colleagues across my portfolio has been really productive. More widely, working to secure an organisation-wide approach to ‘challenging times’ is always difficult, but headed in the right direction. I don’t have all the answers – but I have some ideas about how to find them!

---

Karen Locke

Risk Manager, Renfrewshire Council

Karen has over 20 years’ experience working in risk management; the first 5 years with the NHS and thereafter in local government. She is currently the Risk Manager at Renfrewshire Council. Karen enjoys building lasting relationships with other risk and insurance professionals and finds great value in learning and sharing best practice together. Karen is currently the President of ALARM and leads the Leadership & Influence portfolio.

---

John Shaftoe

Managing Director, Maven Public Sector

John is a well known figure in the public sector insurance market. He has over 40 years' experience in claims, underwriting and management roles. John heads up Maven's team of highly experienced underwriters and claims professionals which means they can deliver a highly flexible and proactive service to clients, with an overarching desire to build long-term relationships.

---

Paul Tarne

Partner, Weightmans

No bio provided

---

Bridget Tatham

Partner, Browne Jacobson

Bridget leads Browne Jacobson's Insurance Injury Team in Birmingham, co-chairs the D&Q Committee and is the firm's Executive Sponsor for Race. Highly regarded in the insurance market, Bridget supports health, local authorities, and commercial clients defend and find effective solutions to complex cases in adult social care. Bridget's experience spans elder abuse, brain injury, asbestos-related diseases, and fatal accidents.

---

Richard Wood

Head of Sales, Zurich Municipal

Richard has nearly 40 years' experience from insurance broking to bank distribution, through personal lines and commercial insurance products. Joining Zurich in 2003 as Regional Development Manager, Richard has had several notable appointments within the group. After winning Region of the Year for two consecutive years, Richard was promoted to Head of Financial Services Partnerships in 2005 where he became responsible for Zurich's key Bank Distribution Partnerships. After five years in this role, Richard embraced a move to South Africa to lead the set up of a Bank Distribution Partnership with Standard Bank. In 2011, Richard returned to the UK as Head of Housing and Health. Richard's current role is Head of Sales which includes responsibilities as part of Zurich's Leadership Team.

---