Meet Our Experts

meet-our-experts

Leadership Team

Simon Jackson

Managing Director

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Simon Jackson

Managing Director

Simon serves as the Managing Director for Unicorn Underwriting. He has operated within the Lloyd's market for over 20 years, holding roles at Amlin, Beazley and IQUW. His underwriting background is within the Property space, where he has overseen both D&F and Binding Authority books of businesses operating out of the UK, US and Asia. He has a post-graduate degree in Natural Hazards.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

It's more than one! The culture within Amwins. I'm surrounded by genuinely nice people that are focused and passionate about our vision. The empowerment within the team and seeing how underwriters can focus on risk selection, portfolio optimisation and distribution without distraction, resulting in superior results for our carrier partners.

Passionate About

Skiing. I love skiing with my family, enjoying the fresh air. I find it a great relaxation. Watching my kids become accomplished skiers has been fantastic to watch.

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Jon Bryant

Underwriting Director, Motor Fleet

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Jon Bryant

Underwriting Director, Motor Fleet

Jon Bryant serves as the Underwriting Director for Unicorn’s UK Motor Fleet business. He has focused his career in and around the London market and Lloyd’s, primarily in Motor Fleet. Prior to joining Unicorn, Jon was Head of Commercial Divisions at Markerstudy and a motor fleet underwriter at Equity Redstar and Chaucer.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The standard of knowledge and professionalism within the firm.

Passionate About

Walking the dogs alongside my wife Clare, outdoor DIY projects and season tickets at West Ham, which whilst at times painful, does allow three generations of Bryants to get together on a regular basis.

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Neil Chapman

Underwriting Director, Worldwide Property

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Neil Chapman

Underwriting Director, Worldwide Property

Neil Chapman joined Unicorn in 2017 and serves as underwriting director of Worldwide Property. Prior to joining Unicorn, he held various roles at Amlin, Wellington and Argo.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people.

Passionate About

Insurance

Richard Ellis

Deputy Underwriting Director, Unicorn SME

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Richard Ellis

Deputy Underwriting Director, Unicorn SME

Richard Ellis joined Unicorn in 2018 as the deputy director of underwriting to help launch the SME Division. He is responsible for pricing, MI, systems development and underwriting. With 34 years of experience, Richard spent 11 years at LV helping to build their commercial insurance division and worked at RSA in London and overseas. He is a Chartered Insurer with a MBA from Lancaster University and a Bachelor of Science from Imperial College.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Being able to work from home is great. It allows me to see more of my family and dog rather than commuting.

Passionate About

Family, travelling, golf.

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Kevin Hawkins

Underwriting Director, Unicorn SME

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Kevin Hawkins

Underwriting Director, Unicorn SME

Kevin Hawkins is underwriting director at Unicorn where is responsible for the establishment, development and management of the SME division. Prior to joining Unicorn, he led commercial underwriting at Liverpool Victoria Insurance where he built and developed commercial insurance products. Kevin has 35 years of experience and is an ACII – Chartered Insurance Underwriting Agent.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

People and Culture. We have a great team, many of whom have known and worked with for years, and I am proud to lead the Unicorn SME Division.

Passionate About

I’m married with two children which keeps me busy. Cooking and golf.

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Phil Maxwell

Claims Director

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Phil Maxwell

Claims Director

Phil Maxwell has served as a claims manager for Unicorn since 2016. His focus is ensuring that all of Unicorn’s claims are handled according to agreed upon processes and/or procedures, settling claims on the best possible terms. Phil has been in the industry for more than 30 years. Prior to joining Unicorn, he held positions with NIG Skandia and QBE.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The collaborative approach between underwriters, claims and senior management to ensure we produce the best results we can for our clients.

Passionate About

Family, golf and football.



Motor Fleet

Jamie Bartlett

Jamie Bartlett

Deputy Underwriting Director

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Jamie Bartlett

Deputy Underwriting Director

Jamie Bartlett is an underwriter for Unicorn focused on new business and relationship development. With 25 years in the industry, Jamie previously held fleet focused positions with Chaucer Syndicates Plc. as well as Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The professionalism of the firm and being part of a global organization.

Passionate About

Formula 1 racing and my two children.

Lisa Pegram

Lisa Pegram

Senior Underwriter

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Lisa Pegram

Senior Underwriter

Lisa Pegram joined Unicorn in 2016 and is an original member of the fleet underwriting team. Her focus is on renewal underwriting and managing the operational team. With more than 20 years in the industry, Lisa has unique expertise in coach and bus underwriting. Prior to joining Unicorn, she was with Wrightsure Services Ltd.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The intimacy of a small working team combined with the stability of being part of a larger organisation.

Passionate About

My two children, wine, reading and following Tottenham Hotspur.

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UK Commercial

Matt Colliss

Senior Underwriter

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Matt Colliss

Senior Underwriter

Matt Colliss joined Unicorn in 2019 as a senior underwriter. He underwrites and manages package accounts to support continued growth with our broker partners. Before joining Unicorn, Matt was a product manager for packages at LV= for 10 years where he grew the business and developed their package book and performance.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The culture. The genuine commitment to back up words with actions to demonstrate that they care about their staff.

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Jeff Gilbert

Underwriter

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Jeff Gilbert

Underwriter

Jeff Gilbert is an underwriter at Unicorn where he is responsible for SME businesses. Prior to joining Unicorn in 2009, he served in various underwriting and customer service roles at Pearl General Insurance.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people. Everyone has a professional attitude and are very much driven to delivering superior service to our broker partners.

Passionate About

Hi-fi, music, adding to my vinyl LP collection, road cycling and travelling.

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Paul Baillie

Underwriter

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Paul Baillie

Underwriter

Paul Ballie is an underwriter at Unicorn where he is responsible for new business quotes and renewals for package policies. Before joining Unicorn, Paul held various roles at Macbeth Scott & Co Ltd and AXA. With 20 years of experience, he specializes in property and holidays lets.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Team spirit.

Passionate About

Family and cycling.

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Stuart Frost

Business Development Underwriter

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Stuart Frost

Business Development Underwriter

Stuart Frost joined Unicorn in 2019 as a business development underwriter. He is responsible for the development of GWP and managing broker relationships. With 34 years of experience, Stuart spent eight years at LV as a branch manager and 10 years at AIG in various roles.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Being part of a small team.

Passionate About

Two children and two cats, football team and being a season ticket holder, gardening and foreign travel.

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Ollie Watts

Underwriter

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Ollie Watts

Underwriter

Ollie Watts joined Unicorn in 2012 as an underwriter. He is responsible for underwriting profitable motor trade business and developing relationships with key brokers. Before joining Unicorn, Ollie was an Underwriter at Lucas Fettes & Partners. With over 24 years of experience, he specializes in motor trade and commercial insurance. Ollie lives in Surrey Hills with his wife, sons and dog.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Working from home after commuting to London for 10 years.

Passionate About

Food, cooking, mountain biking, travel and film.

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Kerri Blackman

Underwriter

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Kerri Blackman

Underwriter

Kerri Blackman joined Unicorn in 2019 as a business development underwriter. With 21 years of experience, she specializes in motor trade, commercial combined and fleet. Before joining Unicorn, Kerri was an underwriter at LV, Aviva and NIG Insurance. She has been married for 10 years and has two children— ages 8 and 6.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people I work with and for.

Passionate About

Family and making memories.

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Worldwide Property

Lewis Jones

Senior Underwriter

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Lewis Jones

Senior Underwriter

Lewis Jones serves as a senior underwriter at Unicorn. Prior to joining Unicorn, he held various roles at Lockton and Willis.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Unicorn’s flat business structure means we are empowered to underwrite effectively and best serve our clients, brokers and capacity providers.

Passionate About

Traveling— particularly to Africa where I enjoy going on safari.

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Clare Bailey

Senior Underwriter

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Clare Bailey

Senior Underwriter

Clare Bailey joined Unicorn in 2018 and serves as a senior underwriter. Prior to joining Unicorn, she held various roles at Faraday Syndicate, Risk Management Solutions (RMS), Beazley Syndicate, Aspen Insurance and Lancashire Insurance Group.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people and the culture.

Passionate About

My family, home and dogs.

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Stuart Roxburgh

Undewriter

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Stuart Roxburgh

Undewriter

Stuart joined Unicorn in August 2022, having previously worked at Guy Carpenter for five years, first in Claims and then in Broking for North American Property.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The depth and diversity of experience in the team with regard to different areas of both North American and international property insurance, and our unencumbered ability to underwrite effectively for the benefit of our broking and client partners.

Passionate About

Football, tennis, golf, skiing, travelling

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Irina Weston

Underwriting Assistant

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Irina Weston

Underwriting Assistant

Irina Weston is an underwriting assistant at Unicorn where she assists underwriters with risk assessments. Prior to joining Unicorn, she was an assistant underwriter at Holborn Underwriting Limited. Outside of work, Irina volunteers at charity events, reads at a local primary school and distributes poppies. She is married and has two daughters.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

Being part of a great professional team.

Passionate About

Sports, travelling and reading.

Dominic Brett

Assistant Underwriter

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Dominic Brett

Assistant Underwriter

Dominic Brett is an underwriting assistant at Unicorn where he helps the underwriting team with reporting and analysis. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Society of Underwriting Professionals.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people, the support and development opportunities available to progress your career.

Passionate About

Football and travelling.

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Isabel Russell

Underwriting Assistant

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Isabel Russell

Underwriting Assistant

Isabel started at Unicorn Underwriting in 2022 as an Underwriting Assistant; it was her first job in insurance. Her role includes supporting the underwriters with reporting and analysis. She is studying towards her CII qualifications.

Favorite thing about Unicorn

The people, and the opportunities available to progress your career.

Passionate About

Family, friends and travelling.

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