Session
The higher education sector is facing challenging financial times. This can result in decisions being taken which are aimed at increasing income generation or cutting costs which can give rise to the risk of unintended adverse consequences that may not have been previously anticipated. Paul, James and Andy will focus on some of the traditional hard facility management risks and other emerging risks, some of which they have seen materialise. Across their claims and risk teams, they will explore some of the unintended consequences which can include financial, impacts to the student experience and reputational. To close, they will talk through the range of available controls and how reviewing risk appetite can help positively influence the decision-making process.
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.
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.
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.
