Our people

David Ashby

Following a lifetime interest in horses, racing and steeplechasing, David became involved in the bloodstock insurance world as a loss adjuster in the 1970s. In the early 1980s he made the transition to the risk business, with a Lloyd’s syndicate.

Until becoming involved in the creation of Amlin Plus, he was the underwriter for a large international insurance company. He remains an active owner, rider and competitor.

Simon Hepworth

Simon joined Amlin Plus in October 2006 having held a variety of positions in underwriting, marketing & business development, systems development and project management over a period of 14 years with Amlin. He holds the position of General Manager and was made a Director in 2009

Julian Lloyd

Julian joined Amlin after twenty years of developing the Bloodstock book at Hiscox. His market career started in 1971 at Sedgwick Collyns, which later became Methuen, before his move to Hiscox. Julian has 35 years of Bloodstock underwriting experience and is the chairman of the LMA’s Livestock Business Panel.

Julian divides his time between Amlin in London and his farm in Yorkshire breeding horses and prize-winning cattle.

Harriet Roberts

Harriet was introduced to insurance and Amlin in 1998 as part of the Lloyd's Graduate Training Scheme. She gained wide experience of underwriting from various classes including; Aviation/Space, War/Terrorism, Marine Energy and finally became a full time Bloodstock Underwriter in 2003.

A lifetime of horse ownership and love of racing has led to a very happy combination of hobby and career, but only finds time for some hunting and the odd day in the saddle as London is her base now.

Laura Brown

Laura joined Amlin Plus in December 2007 and this is her first job in Insurance. Prior to this she spent 3 years as an Assistant Trainer to a Flat Racehorse Trainer.

Laura has been involved with horses all her life with a background in racing, showing and hunting. This includes winning The Royal International and the Horse of the Year Show. Laura still rides regularly.

James Smith

James has in excess of 20 years Lloyd's and London Market experience.

James began his career in the London Market in 1987 with Chandler Hargreaves. He moved to the Lloyd's Claims Office in 1991 where he remained until 2004 when he joined QBE European Operations as Senior Bloodstock Claims Adjuster.

His time at QBE ended after four years when he was recruited by Amlin Plus, where he has been since the start of 2008.

Rachel Key

Rachel has been working in insurance for eight years. She joined Amlin Plus as assistant underwriter in July 2007 after previously working in motor insurance and travel bonds.

Rachel rode as a child and maintains a keen interest in most equestrian sports.

Tom Mills

Tom graduated from Newcastle University in 2005 and spent two years riding full time, eventing, teaching and riding out for a point-to-point yard. He joined Amlin in November 2007 as an underwriting assistant.

He still competes his own horse and hopes to continue riding at 4 star level in the next couple of years.

Lucy Smith

Lucy joined Amlin Plus in June 2011, straight after graduating from Bristol University. Her family have always been interested in horses and animals, and she has ridden and owned horses for most of her life and used to compete in eventing. She tries to ride whenever she can, but living in London can mean that this is not as often as she would like!

Sophie Hull

Sophie joined Amlin Plus in August 2011. She grew up with horses, and after two years working in the City after finishing her degree, she decided to combine hobby and career by completing the National Stud Diploma Course. This led to a job in bloodstock publishing in Wiltshire.

Sophie volunteers with Riding for the Disabled and is lucky enough to have friends with spare horses, so riding is still a regular part of her week.