Directory
- Sara Cosgrove, Corporate Renewals
- Sue Dougal, Managing Director, Christie Insurance and Christie Finance
- Joe Gooden, Business Development Executive
- Steve Hibbert, Insurance Broker
- Robert McDonnell, Account Executive – Corporate Division
- Stephen Merrett, Director
- Walter Murray, Director of Insurance Broking
- Dipen Patel, Agency New Business
- Paul Redmond, Life & Protection Consultant
- Gregory Rudkin-Moore, Claims Handler
- Sonia Smokcum, Agency New Business
- Karl Smith, Agency New Business
- Graham Wilson, Commercial Business Development Executive
- Sara Cosgrove, Corporate Renewals e-mail
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Sara commenced her professional career in the retail sector, where she worked as the assistant manager of a high street retailer. She made the decision to move into insurance in 2001, joining leading insurance brokerage, SBJ Stephenson Ltd, where she quickly progressed from administrator to broker.
Sara joined Christie Insurance in 2002 and has been integral in the implementation of new operating systems and the continual expansion of the corporate client base. Her interpersonal skills and strong relationships with leading underwriters have resulted in excellent client retention levels at renewal and earned her the award for ‘Insurance Broker of the Year’ in 2005. As well as managing the corporate department, Sara is now one of Christie Insurance’s most senior brokers looking after all of the insurance interests of our largest accounts.
- Sue Dougal, Managing Director, Christie Insurance and Christie Finance e-mail
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Sue Dougal previously worked with the Norwich and Peterborough Group where, over a 16-year period, she held key positions in sales, business development and, most recently, as Director of Retail Sales and Operations.
Her knowledge of running both insurance and mortgage businesses is a real asset to Christie Insurance and Christie Finance.
- Joe Gooden, Business Development Executive e-mail
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Joe has been working within the Insurance Industry for over 7
years, since leaving school. Initially working regionally on
personal lines business, he has expanded his knowledge and
experience of the commercial insurance sector within the City,
brokering general business including property owners, hotels,
retail, combined and motor fleet insurance. More recently, he has
specialised in placing business within the media, entertainment and
leisure sectors.
An energetic and vibrant person, Joe is looking to further his career in a New Business Development capacity which encompasses all his strengths. - Steve Hibbert, Insurance Broker e-mail
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Steve Hibbert joined Christie Insurance in March 2008 after 10 years at Aon, where he led a sales and client service team and was broking manager for SME sector business. Prior to this, he had some 20 years broking experience with regional and national brokers.
Steve is qualified as Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (by exam) and is a Chartered Insurance Broker.
- Robert McDonnell, Account Executive – Corporate Division e-mail
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Robert McDonnell has worked in the insurance industry since 2001.
After 2 years at Norwich Union in Liverpool, he worked in
Bournemouth for a block of flats specialist called Deacon Insurance
for 4 years. Most recently, he moved to Brighton and worked for a
brokerage in Burgess Hill called Sutton Winson.
- Stephen Merrett, Director e-mail
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Stephen joined Christie Insurance in 1998 from HSBC Gibbs, having already gained a considerable understanding of the complexities of commercial insurance products. In 2001 Stephen established a corporate division in order to focus on the needs of the company’s larger clients and was integral in the growth of Christie Insurance’s corporate client base.
Stephen was appointed as Associate Director of Christie Insurance in 2002 and Director in 2003. He has now assumed sole responsibility for the management of all of the insurance interests of Christie Group and its subsidiaries and in 2006, was appointed Company Secretary.
- Walter Murray, Director of Insurance Broking e-mail
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Walter commenced his career with Frank Glennon Ltd in 1986. After
four years he moved to HSBC, where he remained for over 10 years
and was responsible for the management and service provision for
international and national accounts including the management of
various Binding Authorities from Lloyd’s.
In 2002, he moved to Heath Lambert and worked for the next four years in their Major Accounts Group where he was responsible for the formulation, design, enhancing and placing of clients’ risk management and purchasing policy. The clients were various multinational and national companies involved in retailing, manufacturing, engineering, wholesaling and IT.
In 2006, Walter moved to Layton Blackham Group where he was Branch Manager for one of Layton Blackham’s largest branches. In February 2008, Walter was appointed Director of Insurance Broking for Christie Insurance. - Dipen Patel, Agency New Business e-mail
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After studying history at the University of Manchester, Dipen decided to go straight into a career in insurance and initially spent a year working in life assurance.
He entered the commercial market in 2004 working for Coversure in their new business department and joined Christie Insurance as a Development Executive in March 2006. He has already exceeded expectations and successfully developed his own book of business which is continually expanding. Dipen obtained the CeRGI (Certificate in Regulated General Insurance) through the IFS School of Finance, is Cert CII qualified and working towards his Dip CII.
- Paul Redmond, Life & Protection Consultant e-mail
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Paul commenced his career in financial services in 1990, when he
joined Barclays Bank Plc straight from school. He stayed with them
for 11 years in a number of roles in various departments including
Operations, Management and Sales.
In 2001, he joined HSBC to further his career in financial planning and it was there that he qualified as a financial adviser, obtaining his CeFA and CeMap in 2002.
In 2003, he decided to specialise in mortgages and protection in the open market and joined an independent brokerage in Bedfordshire. He stayed there for 3 years before deciding to become self-employed and set up his own mortgage and protection advisory business.
Paul joined Christie Insurance in March 2008, as their Life & Protection Consultant. - Gregory Rudkin-Moore, Claims Handler e-mail
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Greg started in the insurance industry almost ten years ago, quoting new business at a Docklands based commercial insurance broker, First Light. After three years, he was promoted to their technical claims department, where he gained in-depth knowledge in claims and underwriting issues. He went on to manage this department until joining Christie Insurance in 2007.
His strong interpersonal skills and the far reaching business relationships serve him well when handling clients’ claims. - Sonia Smokcum, Agency New Business e-mail
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Following a year out to travel the world, Sonia went on to study Psychology and Sociology in Liverpool. She began her professional career as a Commercial Underwriter for New India Assurance in Ipswich.
She remained in that position for four and a half years before relocating to London to join Christie Insurance as a Development Executive in 2006. Sonia’s underwriting experience has provided her with an excellent understanding of the complex nature of the commercial market which is invaluable as she assists in the development of new business for Christie Insurance.
- Karl Smith, Agency New Business e-mail
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Karl joined Halifax Bank in Fenchurch Street, London in 2004
and, in his three years there, was promoted to a Banking &
Savings Adviser. He joined the New Business department of Christie
Insurance in June 2007.
- Graham Wilson, Commercial Business Development Executive e-mail
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Graham completed AVCE Business Studies at West Kent College in 2004
and went into commercial insurance administration for 2 years. He
then worked as a salesman in the new business department of one of
the UK’s largest brokers for approaching 2 years, before
joining Christie Insurance in September 2007.
