COBRA Companies

Staff

Andrew Porter - Development Manager

Andrew joined COBRA Network in July 2004 as a Development Manager, working closely with members in his geographical area to ensure each one is utilising all the relevant services and products available through  COBRA Network.  In addition to meeting prospective members, assessing membership applications and coordinating other COBRA Network services, Andrew also liaises with selected COBRA Network insurer partners, providing  valuable member feedback and assisting with more unusual or complex queries.  

An experienced insurance broker, Andrew has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years, during which he spent time with Provincial Insurance, Clarkson Puckle, Barclays, CE Heath, Thyssen, Willis and more recently Truman Lincoln.

Dave Truman - Schemes & Development manager

Dave joined COBRA Network in January 2006 as Development and Schemes Manager and has nearly 30 years commercial insurer and broking experience.  Dave has dealt with many independent brokers across the UK, having held senior positions at Lombard General, Folgate Insurance and more recently Deacon Insurance.  

Dave is responsible for selecting, developing and delivering the schemes service to members. Dave's work also includes member feedback and problem solving as well as meeting prospective members, assessing membership applications, coordinating other COBRA services, and liaising with COBRA Network's insurer partners.

Joanna Waite - Development Manager

Jo joined COBRA in June 2007 as Marketing Executive within COBRA Network.  She later moved to the Development team responsible for building and maintaining member relationships.  Jo works 's closely with the members in her geographical region to ensure they are knowledgeable and are utilising all the relevant services and products available via their COBRA Network membership package.  Jo also liaises with insurer partners to ensure any queries are dealt with promptly and to full resolution.

Prior to joing COBRA Network, Jo worked for COBRA Insurance Brokers in the Commercial team.  Jo has over 7 years commercial broking experience and holds the CII Certificate.  

Neil Atkinson - Development Manager

Neil joined COBRA Network in August 2008.  Neil started his insurance career with General Accident in 1982, initially working in Claims and latterly as an Inspector at the Liverpool office.  Neil later moved to Carlisle, where he worked in several development roles prior to the CGU merger with Norwich Union.  Neil then moved in to Project Management, returning later to Account Management, where he worked with brokers across the north of England.  At COBRA Network, Neil is  responsible for the development of broker accounts in the North of England and Scotland.

Neil also has responsbility for liasing with COBRA Accident Management and promoting the service to members.

Ray Heap - Development Manager

Ray joined COBRA Network  in August 2008.  Ray began as a local underwriter for the Allstate Insurance Company in Liverpool before moving to Manchester head office as commercial department Team Leader.  Ray’s experience includes Bradford Pennine Insurance as an Inspector and later an Agency Superintendent in the northwest. 

Ray then joined London & Edinburgh Insurance as a Regional Sales Manager, and at this time relocated to the south west of England.  Ray has worked closely with brokers since 1999 as UK Broker Channel Manager for Folgate. 

Ray is responsible for both  the development and relationship management of exisiting COBRA Network member accounts, and the recruitment of new members in the south and south west of England.

Paul Hughes - Sales Manager

Paul joined COBRA Network as Sales Manager in June 2009.  Paul brings a wealth of relationship, sales and broker relationship experience, particularly within the network arena having previously worked for Broker Network.  Paul’s financial services career began in banking, attaining the position of Assistant Bank Manager with (then) TSB Bank. 

After 9 years, Paul moved to the IT organisation Fujitsu Ltd, fulfilling various development and management roles.  In 2003 Paul moved to wholesale motor fleet broker Fleet Insurance Solutions Ltd as Business Development Manager, where his success led to joining the Broker Network as Sales Manager.

Paul is responsible for the recruitment of new COBRA Network members in the south and south east of England.

Ian Carter - Marketing Manager Marketing Services

Ian joined COBRA Network in January 2005 following a period of 16 months as freelance marketing consultant to COBRA.  Ian has over 25 years sales and marketing experience with in-depth knowledge of business-to-business publishing and the IT industry, having held senior positions both in-house and in IT marketing consultancies.  Ian’s role at COBRA Network includes all marketing activities to prospects, including member and hospitality events.  His work extends to providing individual members with a local marketing service.

Paul Bryant - HR & Training Director

Paul began his insurance career in 1987 with APIA Limited, a company based in the City of London specialising in professional indemnity insurance for architects, before moving to Willis Wrightson Limited in Kingston and completing his ACII in 1991. In 1990, at the age of 25, he joined Philip Truman as a director of Truman Insurance Services (UK) Limited and together over the following 11 years they built up a successful commercial brokerage based in Hackbridge, Surrey. This culminated in a merger with Lincoln Tilbury Steward Limited in 2001 and the formation of Truman Lincoln Limited.