ITIC UK Agenda

Gary is the Director of Larus Consulting, a Company well known within the Travel and Health Insurance industry for providing successful Fraud, Waste and Abuse solutions across the sector.

With over 35 years’ experience in the execution and management of counter fraud work, investigations and associated training, Gary is an Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist and Accredited Counter Fraud Trainer.

He collaborates with clients worldwide on initiatives aimed at minimising financial losses while ensuring alignment with ongoing business objectives. Whether addressing Risk Management issues, conducting Investigations, or delivering Training, each engagement is customised to meet the unique needs and specifications of the client.

Gary’s experience spans specialist HM Forces and Police investigation departments, the public and private sectors and of course the insurance industry, both within the UK and overseas.

He is also an active participant and member of the UK’s Counter Fraud Professional Awards Board (CFPAB).

Simon has worked in the insurance industry for 27 years, most of which he has been working in the counter fraud arena. He is currently Director of Investigation Services – International for Charles Taylor where he has operationally led their multi award winning Specialist Investigation Services business unit for 18 years.

Uniquely, Simon is a subject matter expert in international investigations and travel insurance claims validation and has managed complex cross product insurance claims investigations in over 100 countries around the world. A thought leader on the insurance fraud topic and he regularly contributes to media stories about insurance fraud, which includes taking part in the BBC Television fraud series ‘Claimed and Shamed’ which show cases how insurance fraud is a major global issue.

Simon has twice held a board position as a Director of the Insurance Fraud Investigators Group (IFIG) in the UK and is also an active member of the International Association of Special Investigations Units (IASIU).

Nicola is an insurance fraud specialist with 17 years’ experience and a Masters Degree in Fraud Management. Having achieved an undergraduate degree in Criminology, Nicola started her career helping to implement a claims fraud function for Parabis Ltd and went on to work as an Investigator for Robertson and Co. Nicola has worked in multiple roles within the IFB largely focused on coordinating investigations to respond to various fraud threats and help drive disruption activity. Nicola joined the IFB leadership Team in September 2024 who are responsible for the day-to-day support of the operational teams. Nicola passionately believes that creating a supportive, balanced and inclusive team culture is the most effective way to deliver first class services to our members.

Jon became Head of Intelligence, Investigations & Data Services for the Insurance Fraud Bureau in January 2023 and is responsible for the day to day running of the IFB’s teams across all departments executing delivery of services to all of its members and the wider insurance industry.

Prior to his role at the IFB, Jon joined QBE in 2007 and in 2012 joined the then newly created SIU team where he was responsible for handling complex fraudulent claims and implementing new fraud strategies to the UK Property, Casualty and Motor divisions. Jon handled QBE’s very first custodial sentence claim via IFED and ran QBE’s first tort of deceit and exemplary damages court action against an organised crime group. In 2016, Jon seconded to QBE’s Australian Operation in Sydney to set up their claim’s fraud team and future fraud strategy which led to the beginnings of a more joined up global fraud strategy.

With 25 years’ experience of working in UK policing, Jed Stone has performed roles as the Head of ICT and CIO within mainstream policing and managed the delivery programme for the design and development of the UK Counter Terrorism intelligence system used prior to, and throughout, the 2012 Olympics. Jed has led the delivery of national CT intelligence development standards; national intelligence indexing standards; and national CT data review, retention, and disposal standards. He was also instrumental in the design of the working methods and supporting technology used within a multi-agency intelligence Siege/Hostage and CBRNE intelligence cell.

Since leaving the Police and as a director of Issured, Jed has managed the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Digital Intelligence and Investigation (DII) programme and now capitalises on Issured’s collective experience in security and defence to develop innovative new products and services to support Law Enforcement, Justice and Victim Support Services.

Alastair manages a team of public policy advisers working across personal finance to tackle consumer harm by making life simpler, fairer and safer for everyone. He led the team that delivered Which?’s 2025 super-complaint to the Financial Conduct Authority on concerns about sales practices and claims handling in the home and travel insurance markets. Alastair was previously a trustee of Which?’s two pension schemes. Before joining Which?, he held policy roles with a professional body, a think tank and in the UK parliament.

David describes himself as ‘bringing colour to insurance compliance’ with a pragmatic, proportionate approach to FCA regulation for insurance intermediaries. Having started his career as an underwriter with a composite insurer for 8 years, he then spent the next 20 years as a broker so he’s ‘done the day job’ of many of the firms he’s been helping with their burgeoning regulatory requirements for the last 13 years. David has a considerable number of travel insurance intermediaries as clients and maintains that the products they distribute provide incredible value. He passionately believes that the travel insurance sector has a vital role to play in the world economy. As well as being a qualified Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, owning a massive collection of Hawaiian shirts and being a father of six, he has completed over 500 parkruns and is a lawn bowls champion.

Michelle has worked across all insurance products during her 30-year career at Saga. For the last 13 years she’s specialised in health and travel insurance, leading the product and commercial teams for both.

Michelle is passionate about making sure Saga customers receive the highest level of service at all times, from the day-to-day connections to the crucial times when claims need to be made.

Michelle says, “Working with two very different cover types, one relating to exciting travel plans and the other with sensitive health aspects, can be complex at times. However, this is what drives me and my team to ensure we do our utmost to get things right first time. Life can be challenging and unexpected, so it’s important to support customers through life events by providing market-leading insurance alongside the assurance that we’re always here to help.”

Phil Denman brings extensive expertise in travel and health insurance, international employee benefits, and innovation within the travel insurance sector.

With over 30 years of industry experience, he is now CEO of Capacity Insights, a specialist underwriting MGA that combines deep industry knowledge with a fresh perspective to deliver tailored, customer-focused insurance solutions.

Working with insurance distributors, travel entities, banks, SMEs and corporates, Capacity Insights has a particular focus on creating bespoke travel, health, dental, and personal accident schemes.

A highly accomplished international operations executive with over 30 years of experience in medical assistance, emergency response, and global healthcare logistics. Thierry has led high-performing teams across the medical, aviation, insurance, corporate assistance and travel risk management sectors, delivering critical care solutions in fast-paced, high-pressure, and often remote or complex environments.

Renowned for building and scaling global medical assistance capabilities, he has overseen air and ground evacuations, managed international case management networks, and driven operational excellence across multiple continents. A strategic thinker with a customer focused background and a commercial mindset, consistently transforming medical operations into high-value services that enhance business resilience, client trust, and health outcomes.

With deep expertise in operational leadership and stakeholder engagement—from clinical staff and call centers to insurers, governments, and corporate clients, Thierry builds and leads world-class medical assistance and case management operations. He has Developed multidisciplinary global teams, embedded scalable systems and clinical governance, and ensured compliance with international standards.

Thierry enables organisations to respond swiftly and effectively to medical emergencies, pandemics, and health-related travel risks. Champions innovation, telemedicine, and data-driven decision-making to future-proof service delivery. He mitigates operational, reputational, and clinical risks. Leads crisis response, coordinates global evacuations, and ensures seamless patient care through complex, cross-border logistics.

Sid Mouncey has over 25 years’ experience in the Global financial services market working with leading players in the banking and insurance sectors in the UK, North America, Europe and Asia.
Sid comes from a Product & Customer Experience background with a passion for designing and developing solutions for consumers which make a genuine difference to people’s day to day lives. Leading the Blink Parametric commercial team as CCO, Sid is focusing on building a world class parametric product portfolio and long term relationships with global insurers and brand partners.

Claire Hargreaves serves as Managing Director, EMEAA at Trawick International, where she leads strategy, growth, and business development across the UK Accident & Health division while driving expansion throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. She oversees regional market strategy, regulatory alignment, distribution partnerships, and the launch of innovative A&H, travel, and specialty insurance solutions for internationally mobile clients.

With more than 30 years of experience in global health, travel, and A&H insurance, Claire is recognised for translating commercial vision into scalable growth, building strong international partnerships, and developing high‑performing teams. She was recently named one of The 2026 Executives to Watch by Risk & Insurance.

Claire’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening Trawick International’s EMEAA presence, and in 2025 she and her team made a significant contribution to the company being named International Travel & Health Insurer of the Year by the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ).

Leah Nagle is an Ombudsman Manager at the Financial Ombudsman Service. She makes decisions on health and travel insurance complaints and identifies emerging complaint trends. Leah creates internal training and guidance to promote consistent and fair outcomes and acts as a business engagement lead, liaising with travel insurers and with the ABI travel committee. Leah has worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service for 15 years and, prior to that, was a solicitor in private practice.

Sian Brightey is an Ombudsman Leader at the Financial Ombudsman Service. She is the Head of Practice for health insurance and travel insurance. Sian develops our casework policy approach to travel insurance and oversees quality and internal training and guidance. Sian also acts as a point of contact for the industry and the FCA on health insurance and travel insurance related matters. Sian has worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service for 12 years, having joined the Service following many years working in domestic and international health insurance.

Tim Riley is Managing Director of The True Traveller, which, in partnership with AXA, is widely recognised for insuring adventure travellers and backpackers.

He began his travel career at Trailfinders in the 1980s and spent the next 25 years in tailor-made travel. Prior to joining The True Traveller, Tim was Operations Director of TUI’s Travel Specialist Division, responsible for the Austravel, Travelmood and Trips Worldwide brands.

Tim is also Chair of The UK Travel Insurance Association (UKTIA). UKTIA advocates for customers by promoting clear, fair, and reliable travel insurance. Their goal is to ensure travellers feel protected and supported wherever their journeys take them.

Tim still sees himself first and foremost as a “travel man”, with the rare advantage of senior experience on both sides of the industry – tour operating and travel insurance.

Fraser is a Policy Advisor for The ABI leading on travel and motor insurance. He works on key travel insurance issues including access to travel insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Before joining The ABI, Fraser worked for a public affairs agency in London, engaging and building relationships with the government on behalf of organisations across industries such as financial services and energy production. This built on a background as a Parliamentary Researcher for an MP and multiple years of financial services’ consulting experience.