a fresh approach to insurance
a fresh approach to insurance
Our board of directors are experienced business leaders with unique backgrounds and skill sets.
Here's a little bit more about them.
With a powerful track record in financial services, business growth and tech, Laurel led the development of M&S Money as CEO and has been the chair of Uber UK since October 2017. She has held a series of senior executive, board or non-executive positions for major organisations including the Prudential, ACE/Chubb, Lloyds Bank Group, the Bank of England, but also significant fintech platforms including the UK’s first digital only bank Atom Bank and personal finance platform Moneybox (chair since October 2021).
She joined as Chair of Ripe’s board in 2022, having recognised the potential in the Ripe business model to scale and win. She is focused on leading the company on exciting initiatives, such as new markets and territories, where it will continue to use its technology, digital marketing and underwriting expertise to outpace the market.
Paul is a highly respected leader in the insurance sector with over 30 years’ experience in underwriting, MGAs, insurance distribution and digital insurance.
Prior to joining Ripe, he was Managing Director of Thistle, the UK MGA and digital insurance business of global broker JLT Group. Paul was responsible for re-inventing Thistle’s operating model and profitability, which led to the sale of the business to a private equity-backed consolidator.
Before Thistle, as Group CEO of a top 10 UK digital insurance intermediary, he oversaw its sale to a private equity firm. He also spent a decade at Towergate, running many of their broking and MGA businesses, ultimately sitting on their Retail Executive Committee as UK Broking Director with overall responsibility for £1bn GWP and their UK insurer relationships and deals.
Paul is leading Ripe’s ambitious growth plan with an emphasis on innovating the insurtech sector.
Paul on LinkedIn
John is the founder of Ripe and has overseen its rise to become one of the UK’s leading specialist insurers.
In 1997, he owned a successful advertising and marketing agency when he spotted a gap in the market for golf insurance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
He has since built a portfolio of specialist insurance products beyond golf, introduced a strong team who have achieved impressive growth every year. In 2017, John was the driving force behind the company’s rebrand to ‘Ripe’ and is a leader in insurtech.
John now leads the management team and all operational aspects of the business, ensuring that the entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and fast pace remains at the core of the business as it continues to scale
John on LinkedIn
Sarah heads up a team of marketing specialists in a variety of digital channels, website development, brand and communications.
She is responsible for developing marketing strategies that take advantage of new digital and technological innovations. Under her direction, the marketing function drives the brand forward as the business grows across new markets and sectors.
An expert in digital marketing, she has held senior marketing positions at Optionis Group, ACE European Group (now Chubb European Group) and The Warranty Group (now part of Assurant). She began her career at Freemans, part of the Otto Group
Rob joined Ripe in 2022 from the Kingsbridge Group, where he was CFO. With over 25 years of financial management experience, Rob also has a background in online niche schemes and M&A.
He began his career at EY and has since held senior finance positions at some of the UK’s largest insurance companies including PIB Group, Thistle Insurance and Towergate. As Finance Director at Towergate Direct, he previously worked with Simon (COO), and oversaw significant business growth during that period.
Rob is focused on driving the financial performance of the business, as Ripe expands into new markets and product sectors and successfully incorporating acquired companies into the Group.
With over 30 years of management experience, Simon joined Ripe in 2022 in the new role of Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to Ripe, Simon was COO of legal specialists NAHL Group plc and previously held senior roles at RKH Group and Towergate. During 10 years at Towergate, he delivered growth for its Specialist Retail Division to over 500,000 customers and achieved over £250m Gross Written Premium.
Simon leads the business operations, focusing on innovation and efficiencies that ensure Ripe’s products and customer experience are second to none.
Andrew is focused on growing Ripe’s reputation as a leader in insurtech. He is advancing Ripe’s technical and digital capabilities by delivering transformational change across customer management, software development and back-office operations.
Andrew led the introduction of ‘Juice’, Ripe’s innovative cloud-based underwriting and insurance distribution platform, and continues to deliver new developments for our proprietary tech.
Over 25 years in the IT field, Andrew has held senior roles at a range of leading companies. His strong track-record in driving change and innovation will play a key role in achieving Ripe’s growth ambitions
