Judging Panel 2026

Chairman: Deborah Ritchie, Group Editor, CIR & Insurance Today
Sharon Allen, Head of Insurance, Baillie Gifford & Co
Shelene Baker-Lee, Manager, Insurable Risk, Centrica
John Cavanagh, UK Insurance Manager, Heineken UK
Peter Holmes, Global Head of Insurance and Resilience, Boldyn Networks
Michael Keating, Chief Executive Officer, Managing General Agents’ Association
Kathy Slowther, Head of Insurance, Southend Borough Council
Neil Timberlake, Director, JPIC Group

Sharon Allen, Head of Insurance, Baillie Gifford & Co
Bio to follow...

Shelene Baker-Lee, Manager, Insurable Risk, Centrica
Shelene Baker-Lee has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry gained in the South African and UK markets. She has worked in underwriting, broking and in-house insurance management roles over that time. Shelene has worked with multinational industrial corporates in sectors including mining, manufacturing, facilities and construction. The majority of her time in the industry has been spent in the energy and power sector, having worked for BG Group in the upstream oil and gas industry, and currently Centrica, which is heavily involved in the energy transition to renewables on the path to net zero. These roles have contributed to her knowledge and experience of the insurance and contractual needs for complex businesses operating in regulated environments. Shelene’s outside interests include music, and watching stand-up comedy and live bands.

John Cavanagh, UK Insurance Manager, Heineken UK
John Cavanagh has over 30 years’ insurance industry experience, spanning claims, broking and client-side insurance manager roles. Over this time, he has worked for and with a variety of businesses across the globe – from financial services through to manufacturing – overseeing group insurance requirements across a multitude of risks. During this time, John set up Refinitiv’s insurance programme from the ground up, encompassing the group’s business continuity and resilience programmes, following the financial segment’s demerger from Thomson Reuters.

Peter Holmes, Global Head of Insurance and Resilience, Boldyn Networks
Peter Holmes leads Boldyn Networks’ global insurance and resilience strategy. As Global Head of Insurance, he designed and now oversees a complex, multi-territory insurance programme, managing diverse policy lines and complex claims across the organisation’s international footprint. In parallel, he heads the company’s business resilience programme, with accountability for business continuity, crisis management, incident response and operational resilience.  Peter is a regular contributor to specialist industry publications, and often speaks on industry panels. 

Mike Keating, Chief Executive Officer, MGAA
With over 40 years’ experience in the industry Mike’s career has included time at insurers, brokers and MGAs in both the commercial and personal lines markets. He held executive positions at AXA, Midas, UK General and most recently insurtech start-up, Qlaims, before becoming chief executive officer at the MGAA in September 2020. His personal interests include supporting Manchester United (despite being from London!), a keen interest in music, and trying to keep pace with his grandchildren.

Kathy Slowther, Head of Insurance, Southend Borough Council
Bio to follow...

Neil Timberlake, Director, JPIC Group 
Neil has over 30 years’ experience in the Insurance Industry in underwriting, broking and insurance manager and risk manager roles. His industry roles have included working in various industry sectors, including leisure and hospitality, hotels and real estate, where he developed in-depth knowledge of the needs of large and complex businesses and how the insurance industry can best respond to these requirements. Neil is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Certified Member of the Institute of Risk Management and has wide, practical experience in developing and delivering risk management projects for a range of organisations. His experience also includes the provision of advice and assistance in the areas of insurance captives, claims advocacy, insurable risk management initiatives and construction risks.