Management Team

Ian Gosden, Managing Director

Ian is the founder and Managing Director of Higos and has built the business from the ground up. He started his business life in 1986 working for GAN Life and Pensions, mainly as Branch Manager with a team of 18. He set up a new GAN office within 18 months of being with the company and in 1990 he set up Ian Gosden trading as Higos Financial Services. His key skills are developing new business areas, maintaining and developing relationships and negotiating contracts with insurance companies.



Claire Blaymires, Operations Director & Group Company Secretary

Claire is the Director of Operations and Group Company Secretary. She is responsible for compliance/audit and business processes as well as the portfolio of property including maintenance. She is also responsible for acquisitions and post sale integration. She has been in the Financial Services industry since 1994 joining Higos in 1997. Claire is CeMAP, and FPC qualified and has achieved her Diploma in Company Direction via the Institute of Directors.

 

Julian Unthank, HR Director

Julian is Human Resources Director and joined Higos in August 2007 following 22 years with Lloyds TSB in various Senior HR roles both in the UK and abroad. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development he is responsible for implementing and delivering the “People Strategy” focusing on resourcing, talent management, training, career development and learning opportunities.

 

 
David Brown, Finance & IT Director

David is Finance & IT Director and joined in March 2009. A qualified chartered accountant for 25 years, David has had an extensive financial services career with senior roles at TSB / Lloyds TSB, where he worked for 15 years, and more recent roles with Threadneedle Asset Management, AXA and BT. His role will be to lead the accounts department, working on the continued development of our financial management information and providing financial input to the company’s strategy and development.

Craig Clark, ICT Manager

Craig is the ICT Manager and is responsible for the day to day running and maintenance of the IT and communication systems. He has widespread knowledge and experience which is used when managing and implementing our IT strategies.

 

 

Ben Rowe, Compliance Manager 

Ben is the Compliance Manager and is responsible for the Company’s compliance with regulation, overseeing management systems and modular training. He joined the Company in 1994 and is currently working towards his Diploma in Insurance qualification.

 

 
Neil Wyatt, Marketing Manager

Neil is responsible for developing and implementing the marketing strategy at Higos. A qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Neil has 9 years marketing experience across multiple industries. Neil joined Higos in January 2009.
 

 

Donal Henry, Corporate Business Manager

Donal is our Corporate Business Manager, he has 20 years industry experience with Zurich (as a key account manager), RSA and McCarthy Insurance Group (as Commercial Manager). His responsibilities include the account executives and Chipping Sodbury branch.



 

Sarah Neale, Commercial Manager

Sarah is responsible for the Corporate Business team, Higos Underwriting and Business Enterprise. She is also in charge of Commercial Claims. Sarah joined the Company in 1994 and has her Diploma in Insurance qualification and is now working towards her ACII.


 

 
Trudy Brown, Personal Lines Manager

Trudy is Personal Lines Divisional Manager and is responsible for all personal lines insurance (non motor) including the Let Property scheme and Platinum team. Trudy had 8 years experience in the insurance industry before joining Higos in 1997. She successfully gained her Diploma in Insurance qualification and is now working towards her ACII.