Our People

Sara is the Managing Director of Willis Networks Team. She has 25 years experience in the insurance industry; starting her career with Eagle Star, before moving on to GA Bonus, then to Willis. This has enabled her to gain a great understanding of both broker and insurer issues alike.

Sara has been involved with Willis Networks since inception; initially responding to the concept as part of the GA Bonus team, then more significantly in her position as Willis Networks Insurer Relations Director. In 2009 Sara moved within Willis to establish and run the Willis Underwriting business and in 2011 returned to Willis Networks as its Managing Director.

Sara is FCII and also a Chartered Manager Member of the Chartered Management Institute. She sits on its Membership Development Committee.  

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: +44 (0)771 365 1246

Mike is the Regional Managing Director for Willis Networks' Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland Region. He has over 30 years financial services industry experience, of which more than 20 were in broking working for high street brokers, nationals and Lloyd's brokers. 

Mike also ran his own company offering business development and marketing consultancy services to various financial services institutions including insurers, brokers, mutual's and affinity groups. 

Mike joins us from a broker network where he was the Regional Director (South). He understands the importance regional brokers place upon remaining independent and is a firm believer in the right network model – which is what Willis have developed.

Mike is responsible for Willis Commercial Network and Willis N2 Members in his region.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 01772 664069

Bernard is the Sales Director for Willis Networks. He has over 30 years experience, including at an insurer and a regional broker, itself acquired by the Willis Group in 1986.  

At Willis, Bernard has worked as a Business Development Director, and managed a New Business and Servicing Team and was appointed the Retail Regional MD of the Willis Preston Office in 1995. He was involved in the early formulation of the Willis Commercial Network.

In 2002 Bernard relinquished the Retail Regional Managing Directorship to concentrate on developing the Willis Commercial Network.

Bernard's team recruit new members into the Willis Commercial Network and Willis N2.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07710 046111

Brian joined the Willis Networks team in 2009 with just over three decades of experience in the insurance marketplace. He has held a broad range of roles for a leading U.K. insurer (and its various legacy companies). These included underwriting, claims and branch management. In his last branch management role Brian had responsibility for all aspect of business development, trading and operational matters.

He now forms part of the U.K. sales team and is responsible for recruitment of new Willis Commercial Network and Willis N2 Members in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cumbria. Brian also helps Network Members with their business development plans.

Brian is a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07507 777481

Paul Keeton is one of our Business Development Managers covering Central and Southern England and is responsible for recruitment of new Willis Networks Members. In addition, Paul provides support to existing Network Members in relation to their own business development plans as well as delivering sales training via the Willis Networks Business School.

Paul has over 20 years insurance industry experience gained in a range of business development and consultancy roles for a major insurer working exclusively with independent regional brokers.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07852 229369

Tim Rogers is one of our Business Development Managers covering Central and Southern England and Wales. He is principally responsible for recruitment of new Willis Networks Members. Tim also assists existing Network Members in identifying new business development opportunities and providing sales training to Network Member staff if required.

Prior to joining Willis in 2009, Tim had spent over 20 years in the industry; 11 years working for an insurer in underwriting and business development roles, before moving to work in the broker networks market, where for the last 12 years he has held sales executive, sales management and relationship management positions.  

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07887 897439

Simon is Business Development Manager for Willis Networks in the North of England. Simon joined Willis in 2010 and has over 15 years experience in the insurance industry. In his career he has worked with brokers in the North and Midlands, as well as working for an insurer.

Simon's main focus is recruiting brokers to join Willis N2 and Willis Commercial Network, demonstrating how membership can deliver wider market access, increased profits and process efficiencies to their businesses.

Simon is an Associate of The Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurance Broker.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07506 582265

Lesley Cooper had 15 years experience of broking large and international risks and team management prior to joining the Willis Networks team.

In her role as Regional Operations Director, she acts as the first local point of call for Network Members, to answer queries including those about markets, Network facilities and added value services, such as training.

As part of the regional operations team, Lesley is also an access point to other Willis divisions, such as Willis Construction or the International offices and helps new Network Members orientate themselves and obtain the most benefit from the Network.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07713 500358

Julie started her Insurance career with a regional broker in Blackburn. Working her way up from an office junior, she became involved with personal lines, running household binders and dealing with claims settlement.

Following the broker's acquisition by Willis, Julie took on a variety of roles including dealing with fleet business, commercial cases and then more latterly as branch operations manager, before moving over to the Networks Team in late 2000.

Her role with the Willis Networks is extremely varied, taking her from her Preston base to Network Members' offices on a regular basis. She acts as a conduit for Members into the other specialist areas of Willis as well as assisting local insurer contacts to maintain an excellent tri-partite relationship.

Julie takes responsibility for all operational duties in the North.  

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 01772 664013

Kevin started his insurance career as an underwriter. During his eight years at the insurer Kevin gained experience in underwriting a wide range of different risks.

In 1989 Kevin joined the Willis Cheltenham office as an account handler, senior broker and then broking director. He has been involved in the Willis Commercial Network since its initial planning and inception.

Kevin's role involves day-to-day, local operational contact with Networks' Members and insurers in the South and Central regions. He is involved in the planning and implementation for new insurance brokers joining the Networks, and the ongoing development of Insight - the Willis Commercial Network supported software system.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 01452 883931