About Nelson Policies
The very best service
Nelson Policies at Lloyd’s was established in 1984. We have evolved to become a market leading independent Managing General Agent, offering insurance intermediaries across the UK access to a range of insurance products designed to meet the needs of their Private & SME clients.
We underwrite on behalf of a number of Lloyd’s of London and UK company insurers, many with longstanding relationships.
We pride ourselves on offering the very best service, in a highly compliant, technology based trading environment whilst maintaining a traditional business approach
Meet the Team
Tim Simpson
Executive Chairman – The Nelson Group
Tim started his insurance career with NRG London in 1985. In 1989 Tim moved into Lloyd's where he worked for a number of Lloyd's agencies include Bankside, Limit and Goshawk. In 2004 Tim started a journey into the MGA market initially with Miramar Underwriting Limited. In 2012 Tim led the acquisition of Nelson Polices at Lloyd's, followed in 2014 by the acquisition of East Kent Underwriting.
Amy Blackshaw
Chief Executive Officer – The Nelson Group
Amy started her career in the Insurance industry in 2007 and took on the role of Deputy Managing Director of Nelson Policies in 2014. Amy became Chief Executive Officer of The Nelson Group in January 2022 overseeing both Nelson Policies at Lloyd's and East Kent Underwriting Limited
Gretchen Gudopp
Head of Operations and Business Performance
Gretchen joined the Nelson Group as Business Performance Manager in 2021. She has over 25 years’ experience across multiple classes of business and has held roles in underwriting, broking, reinsurance and compliance. She is adept at identifying gaps/risk exposures within operational environments as well as developing strong systems of checks and balances.
Claire Merenda
Head of Commercial & Liability
Holding a diploma with the Chartered Insurance Institute, Claire began her career with GRE in 1996. She previously had a long period of service with another MGA, before joining Axa in 2013. Claire joined Nelson in January 2017, where she felt her strengths of broker relationships and servicing was better suited. Claire has 3 young boys. She enjoys watching her eldest son play football and has run the London Marathon.
Dean Hollman
Senior Underwriter
Before joining Nelson in 2020 Dean began his career in 2008 within motor claims negotiating Personal Injury and Credit Hire settlements before moving to Commercial Underwriting at Markerstudy in 2017. He specialises in open market underwriting of commercial combined products, building strong relationships with brokers and developing policy wordings and endorsements. Outside of the office he enjoys walks with his beagle and brewing beer.
Lorraine Caddick
Commmercial Underwriter
Lorraine started her career in the insurance industry in 2007 at Capita, where she worked in numerous roles before joining Markerstudy in 2015. She progressed to become a Commercial Underwriter with a specialism in liabilities, whilst also being cross-class trained in Property Owners and Commercial Combined. She later joined Nelsons in 2020 as a Commercial Underwriter. Outside of work she loves all things Crafty!
Phillip Mukiibi
Senior Underwriter
Phillip joined the Nelson Group in September 2022 having worked with Instant Underwriting, QBE, Chubb and Allianz. He has 6 years experience as a data analyst and over 8 years in insurance writing SME and mid-market property and casualty business. He has also written business in specialty lines; covering technology, life sciences and professional indemnity. He is fully ACII qualified and also holds Chartered Insurer status.
Philip Young
Commercial Underwriter
Phil joined the Nelson Group in September 2022 as a Commercial Underwriter having started his insurance career at Groupama Insurance. Phil has over 20 Years’ experience, mainly in the property Class of business – both personal lines and commercial, more specifically Commercial Property Owners Business.
Phil will be working on the Property Owners Renewal Book as well as completing Mid Term Adjustments for a cross class of business. Outside of work Phil enjoys time with his partner and friends and enjoys time in their garden
Kelly Staggs
Senior Renewals Underwriter
Kelly began her insurance career with Nelson in 2006. She is one of the longest serving members of the team, showing both dedication and commitment. Kelly runs the entire Commercial renewal book, ensuring the best deal for both client and broker alike. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys spending time with family and friends, and nights out.
Rafferty Lyons
Senior Development Underwriter
Before Rafferty joined Nelson Policies in 2021 his insurance career started in 2016 with Markerstudy. Raff started in Sales and worked his way into Commercial Underwriting specialising in a Travelling Showmans scheme along with Liability and Commercial Combined risks. Outside of the office Raff loves all things sport which mainly includes watching Arsenal ruin his weekend.
Clarissa Halford
Commercial Underwriter
Starting out as an Admin Assistant in October 2015, Clarissa joined Nelson as part of the administration team. Within 2 years, she become an Assistant Underwriter, specialising in Shops & Offices. She is now a Commercial Underwriter dealing with policy renewals. With a passion for animal welfare she has previously fundraised for donkey sanctuaries & donates to cat rescues. In her spare time she enjoys learning latte art, cocktail tasting, & perfecting winged eyeliner!
Jasmine Thompson
Commercial Underwriter
Jasmine has been working in the insurance industry since 2012, starting out in Customer Service before moving into Complaints Handling and Accounts. She then progressed into Commercial Underwriting with a specialism in Motor Trade. In her spare time, Jasmine loves watching live music and baking
Cheryl Austin
Administration Assistant
Cheryl started her career in the Insurance Industry in 2002. Previously working for Capita on the Hiscox Insurance contract & then at Markerstudy. She has knowledge of Commercial Insurance, Agriculture & Family Fleet products. She joined Nelson in October 2021 where she now looks after the Administration for both the Commercial and Household departments. In her spare time she enjoys meals out with friends, trips to the theatre and holidays both in the UK and abroad. She is also very partial to an Afternoon Tea out!
Lee Kendrick-Walker
Motor Underwriter
Lee started his insurance career in 2008 with Norwich Union in motor injury claims, then transitioned to underwriting across motor, property and casualty classes. Lee has refined his motor knowledge, and brings a dual perspective to underwriting with his prior claims experience. Outside of work, Lee is a keen softball player at national level competition, which helps distract from his woes as a long suffering Bolton Wanderers fan.
Lee Preston
Director - Sport & Leisure
Lee is a Director of Nelson Sport & Leisure with a degree in Business Management. Lee was a Lloyd’s broker for 10 years before joining Towergate, where he spent 15 years as underwriting manager and operations director. A self-confessed sports fanatic, Lee is a keen golfer, tennis player and long suffering Arsenal fan. Lee has a 19 year old daughter and considers his biggest achievement to be surviving her teenage years!
Robbie Monk
Director / Senior Underwriter - Sport & Leisure
Robbie began his insurance career with Towergate Sports & Leisure where he worked his way up to Renewals Manager and remained with the company for 12 years. Robbie is dedicated to providing a first class service for his brokers and strives to find solutions for a varied range of leisure clients. Away from the office, Robbie enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children and watching West Ham struggle year on year.
Shantel Albayrak
Assistant Underwriter
Shantel started her insurance career in 2009 at a small broker specialising in motorcycles, and expanded her Commercial Motor experience in her six years at LV. Shantel joined Nelson Sports & Leisure in 2020 with an open mind to learn all she can, to build relations with new colleagues and customers and to be the best she can be. Outside of work life Shantel is fond of quiz shows, boxsets and spending time with her little family.
Ashley Goldfinch
Senior Development Underwriter
Ashley joined Nelson Policies in May 2023 as Senior Development Underwriter for the Residential team. Prior to working for Nelson, Ashley worked for a reputable MGA for the best part of 7 years. Within this time, he gained a wealth of knowledge of the non standard household market. Ashley is excited to be part of the team and looks forward to building long term relationships with new and existing brokers
Jodie Blackshaw
Senior Residential Underwriter
Jodie began her career with Nelson Policies in 2011 as an administration assistant and is now Senior Residential Underwriter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters and running with her boxer dog !!
Louise Morgan
Senior Underwriter
Louise began her insurance career with Nelson in 2013 within the household sector, transferring to East Kent Underwriting Ltd, a sister company of Nelson in 2014 gaining a vast experience in all types of property business including commercial, residential and unoccupied. Outside of work, Louise enjoys spending time with her husband and son, planning events and lots of charity work for CRUK.
Steve Willoughby
Accounts Manager
Steven is our longest serving employee having joined Nelson Policies as a Clerk in August 1999 and was promoted to Accounts Manager in 2008. Outside of work, he enjoys playing computer-based roleplaying games and snooker, as well as being a frequent visitor to theatres across the country.
Deborah Chamberlain
Claims Manager
Debbie joined Nelson in July 2012, she came into the company as an accounts assistant, when a position in claims opened up in 2013 Debbie retrained and obtained qualifications in this role. Outside of work she enjoys travelling and socialising
Corriena – Autoline
The household team are great, very helpful and obliging I think sometimes we need a direct line to them!!
Dave Bennett – Blink Intermediary Solutions
Dave Bennett is delighted with the service he is getting from Nelsons. Until I put this agency up he had never dealt with you before but has been really good for business and very nice people to deal with.
Paul – Coversure
Quotations are great and we are trying to push as many through to you as possible. We have also passed on your details to our managed office in Weymouth.
Natalie Costa – TEN Insurance Services
I’ve sent quite a few new enquiries over to Claire lately and even if they have been slightly obscure, you’ve been able to offer terms.
I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the quick turnaround on quotes and you’re always very prompt in responding to queries which doesn’t go unnoticed.
How can we help your insurance brokerage?
We specialise in underwriting bespoke non-standard enquiries, risks that traditional insurance markets might turn away. Our growing team has a wealth of expert underwriting experience and pride themselves on consistently delivering an unrivalled, innovative yet competitive insurance solution. We provide transparent, comprehensive and timely policy documentation, that delivers appropriate risk transfer. If you are looking to work with an insurance provider that strives to be your helpful and trusted insurance partner, contact Nelson Policies at Lloyd’s.