Our People

Phil has 30 years experience in the insurance industry. He began his career in 1979 and spent 18 years in various insurer claims roles.Through various mergers, Phil moved into business development and from 2005 was Director of Trading in Norwich Union's (now Aviva) Intermediary Business where one of his responsibilities was its relationship with Willis and the Willis Networks.

Phil joined Willis in 2008 to lead the Commercial Division and took over as Managing Director of Willis Networks in October 2009. He also has responsibility for Willis Personal Risks Division (personal lines, high/mid net worth and various schemes).

He is a member of the Willis UK and Ireland Executive Team and is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 020 3124 6000

Bernard is the Regional Managing Director for Willis Networks' Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland Region. 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 is responsible for Willis Commercial Network and Willis N2 Members in his region.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 01772 664001

Chris is the Regional Managing Director for Willis Networks' Central and South England and Wales Region. Prior to Willis Chris worked for an insurer, a provincial broker and another national broker – clocking up nearly 30 years of insurance market experience.

Chris was a member of the Willis management team involved in setting up the Willis Commercial Network, and has recently been involved in the development and growth of the Willis N2 network.

Chris heads up his region's operations and acquisitions teams. He looks after 40 plus Members placing well in excess of £100 million through the Network. He also works closely with a number of our broker Network Members helping them to grow both organically and by acquisition.

Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 07702 020890

Nichola started her career in Insurance in the late 1980's. In 1999, she worked client side also for several insurance brokers before Willis in June 2003. She is currently the Regional Operations Director for the Willis Networks in the Scotland Region.

Her role for the Networks involves providing local, day-to-day operational contact with the Networks' Members and Insurers. Amongst other projects, she is involved in the planning and implementation for new brokers joining the Networks.

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Contact details - Email: willisnetworks@willis.com or Tel: 0141 3061885

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