Staff Biographies
David Waters - Managing Director
David initially trained with Royal Insurance and moved into insurance broking in 1986 working for CE Heath and Jardines, before establishing CHIS (as The Care Home Insurance Service) in 1997, starting from his own home in Seaford and then moving the CHIS head office to purpose built offices in Brighton in 2004.
David has over 20 years specialising in the risk management and insurance specifically for care providers throughout the UK. David is usually joined in the Brighton office by Jeb, his dog, who is fast becoming another integral member of staff. David is also an avid marathon runner for charity, and is usually seen running along the Brighton seafront at lunchtimes.
Sophie Mariner - Office Manager
Sophie has over 10 years experience in insurance. Living in Brighton, commuting did not strike Sophie as sensible, so she joined CHIS in 2008.
Sophie has demonstrated her attention to detail and ability to communicate with both our customers, partners and colleagues so well that she has taken on the role as manager, concentrating on the delivery of our technical quality service.
David comments, "Sophie has been a fantastic member of the team for a number of years and I know as our office manager she will make sure all our customers receive the very best quality service at all times. It's a truly exciting time for both CHIS and all our customers".
Neil Burman
Having had 47 years Insurance Broking experience, with my last 18 years as Managing Director of Castlebank Insurance Brokers Ltd I was also a director of Castlebank Nursing & Domiciliary Care Ltd for 10 years and devised and arranged a specialist range of insurances for the members of the UKHCA and domiciliary care businesses within the UK.
In 2011, Neil was delighted to join CHIS and has opened our new Hampshire Offices.
"We're all delighted at Neil having joined us to help develop our relationships with our clients and can already see how very useful Neil's experience and abilities will be to us in so many ways" comments David.
Simon Bentley
With over five years insurance experience, all at CHIS, Simon has developed to his current role, managing, coordinating and 'doing' the sales and marketing for CHIS.
Simon is regularly seen out of the office at either regional or national conferences, or networking with other care providers. In his spare time Simon enjoys watching Cricket, Rugby and Motorsports.
"Over the years it has been really exciting and pleasing to see Simon develop so well, becoming the consummate professional with a very keen eye making sure all our customers know they're well and truly appreciated" says David.
Katie Bedford
Katie joined the company in 2003, looking for an exciting career to progress into after university. Katie now manages our PrimeCare insurance team, looking after our homecare clients, but still enjoys getting involved in the care home side of the business too. Outside work Katie enjoys skiing, swimming and running.
Liz Whitehead
Liz has been with CHIS since it very first started in 1997.
Based in Brighton, Liz works for CHIS part time, spending her other days working in the visual arts.
Mike Bickers
Mike has worked within the insurance industry since 1997. He started his career working for a major UK insurer before switching to broking. Before joining CHIS Mike, went on a year long trip around the globe, prior to that he worked as a manager for a general insurance broker in West Sussex.
In the few months Mike has been with us he has rapidly become a key member our CHIS team.
Outside work Mike is a keen triathlete and regularly competes in local events. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) he would not let us photograph him in all his lycra.
Leanne Eveleigh
Having grown up in the West Country and after five years in the mortgage industry, Leanne decided insurance and CHIS were perfect for her future. "We took the same opinion too!" David comments.
Leanne is looking forward to developing close working relationships with clients, insurers and CHIS partners alike.
Lucy Harris
Having graduated in law, Lucy worked for two insurance brokers between going off travelling for a few months. She then tried her hand as a Company Secretary, but realising insurance was where she would rather be working, Lucy joined CHIS and has quickly become a very valuable member of our team.
Lucy is married with a young daughter, the combination of family and working lives keeps Lucy busy!
"We're delighted Lucy is working with us and we know all our clients and partners will enjoy working with Lucy" says Sophie.
Nicky Kavanagh
Nicky looks after all CHIS' accounting needs. Nicky works from an outsourced company, and is part time at CHIS.
Emily Pearce
Having left school in summer 2011, Emily knew she wanted to start work, but wasn't quite sure where her destiny lay. She considered various careers before deciding to follow in her mother's footsteps working in insurance. Emily applied to a few insurance companies and brokers in the local area, but didn't consider these to be suitable. Then she came for an interview with CHIS/PrimeCare Insurance and hasn't looked back since. Emily has been spending most of her time working with Katie, who is thrilled to have Emily working with us, as we all are too.