MEET THE TEAM

Chris Little

Managing Director

Chris joined Allianz back in 1992.  Since then his career has been focused on the UK commercial market. He spent six years targeting the SME sector and his experience spans all areas of the business - from sales and operations to product development and underwriting.  He became MD of Premierline Direct in June 2008.

Chris sees his role as leading a strong team in the right direction - which means growing an already highly successful operation, reviewing and introducing new products and constantly improving the customer experience.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys soccer coaching.

Duncan Carter

Executive Director

Duncan's Allianz experience includes Small Business Manager and Marketing and Product Development Manager, based at Allianz's head office.  He has also been an Allianz Branch Manager covering Sales and Underwriting across the UK.

Since August 2006, when Allianz acquired Premierline Direct, Duncan has been involved in the SME direct market.  He's now focused on all aspects of improving the business operationally and also looking at new partnerships and products to help it grow.

Duncan is a Chartered Insurer and has a Diploma in Marketing.  Away from work, he enjoys running, keep fit in general, as well as gardening and wine tasting.

Alastair Haughton

Business Standards Manager

Alastair heads our compliance team.  He has the vital role of making sure that all insurance industry standards are met and regulatory requirements are complied with.  

With 30 years' experience in the financial services industry, including 15 years with Nat West and 11 years with the Co-operative Insurance Society, Alastair joined Premierline Direct in 2008 from a Morgan Stanley subsidiary, where he was Customer Care Manager.

As well as managing all compliance issues, Alastair describes his role as championing business standards through support, advice and monitoring.

In his spare time, Alastair plays drums in a blues band.

Dave Ebbitt

IT Director

Dave heads the Premierline Direct IT department and was one of the original team members who began the company in 2001.  Along with his IT team, Dave continues to bring a new level of IT support and customer service to the SME marketplace.

Dave has been in senior IT management roles for 15 years, and has extensive experience in the UK finance sector, including 4 years with AXA Direct during the 1990s. 

He now leads a team of 30 IT professionals dedicated to providing the technology that helps keep Premierline Direct at the forefront of the SME insurance sector.

Phil Mairs

Contact Centre Manager

Phil heads our operational contact centre where all phone contact with our customers is handled.  He and his team are responsible for ensuring high quality performance and customer service excellence.  He joined Premierline Direct in 2008 from the RAC where he was head of Legal Services, Risk and Accident Management businesses.

Phil has extensive experience running contact centres, in offshoring and in business and knowledge process outsourcing.

Katie Aston

Marketing Director

Katie heads Premierline Direct's marketing team and is responsible for the acquisition and retention of customers through a range of above and below the line channels. The team also provides marketing support for the Premierline Direct Affinity Partnership programme.

As Premierline Direct brand champion, Katie is tasked with ensuring that all our customers receive a clear and comprehensive message about the company and its products, as well as a high-quality experience when they interact with us, whether it's on the phone or online. 

Katie joined Premierline Direct in 2005 from Matalan Plc bringing with her experience of marketing in a fast-paced retail environment as well as previously working in financial services for personal lines insurance products.

Marie Brown

HR and Training Manager

Marie heads the HR department and joined the business in 2007 after working for three years as an HR consultant in Brisbane, Australia. 

Marie has 20 years' experience in human resources and training and has previously worked for St.James' Place in the UK as HR Manager and also at Prospero Direct/ AXA Direct in a variety of roles.  She and her team are responsible for all Premierline Direct's recruitment and training requirements.

Helen Walsh

Head of Online Marketing

Helen heads the Online Marketing department at Premierline Direct, where she has overall responsibility for the internet channel. She's especially focused on online trends and developments, website analytics increasing customer conversion through the website and maximising the Premierline Direct website's reach.

Helen has worked in an online environment her whole career.  Before joining Premierline Direct from MBNA in 2007, she'd already built up a wide range of online professional experience, predominantly in e-commerce, telecoms and financial services.

Helen's remit has spanned channel management, relationship management, and marketing service to marketing communications and online acquisition programmes. 

In her spare time, Helen is an amateur photographer.

Javed Khan

Pricing Manager

Javed heads the Premierline Direct  pricing team, whose job it is to fix the price of insurance policies relative to risk.  That means you can be sure that the price you are quoted for your commercial policy is not a one-size fits all price, but one that's carefully calculated, based on all the relevant circumstances of your business.

Javed joined Premierline Direct in October 2009 from Aviva (formerly Norwich Union), where he worked for 10 years, assessing all aspects of personal insurance pricing. 

He has also had previous experience in various insurance industry roles, including the pricing of major partnerships and managing the pricing of broker and direct to customer business.

John Moller

Statistics Manager

John's team is responsible for gathering and collating information and data to help shape Premierline Direct's business decisions.  The team also provides business analysis and project management.

John joined Allianz in 2003 as part of its corporate graduate scheme. Since then his experience has covered Marketing with the Animal Health Division and working in operations, as well as developing and rolling out Salesforce.com (a customer relationship management computer system), to all commercial branches. He also worked as a new business underwriter.

John joined Premierline Direct in 2007 and since then he's covered a number of roles. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf and cricket.

Caroline Waring

Business Development Manager

Caroline's plays the vital role at Premierline Direct of forging new corporate partnerships and developing existing affinity business in order to expand our business. 

Caroline focuses on developing opportunities for white labelled and own branded affinity partnerships. This enables us to supply Premierline Direct's quality business insurance products to a wide variety of market sectors including financial services , retail and property. 

Caroline joined Premierline Direct in September 2009 from AXA, where she had worked for three years as a Business Development Executive within their Corporate Partnerships division.

Emma Mallinson

Finance Manager

Emma's area of expertise is as a Commercial Management Accountant. She has had more than 20 years' experience in accountancy, both in practice and within industry.

Emma began her career with KPMG and then moved on to Heinz and Letts Educational before joining Premierline Direct where she now manages the finance department.

Julian Rhodes

National Direct Sales Manager

Julian is one of the newest members of our team, joining Premierline Direct in February 2010.  He manages a team of Direct Sales Executives who liaise with customers who value doing business face to face.

Julian, who is a Chartered Insurer, has held a number of senior positions with insurance companies and his experience includes training, management and business development. Prior to joining Premierline Direct he was an Area Manager with RBS Insurance in London. 

Away from work Julian enjoys spending time with his family, cycling and gardening.