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Risk Assured Risk Assured

Who we are

Market-leading specialists

We are the UK's market-leading, high-value life insurance broker, consistently topping all industry metrics.

We work with private banks and leading professional firms and provide solutions for sophisticated and wealthy clients both domestically and internationally.

Our reputation and good standing with insurers and reinsurers is a testament to the quality of our business and our ability to co-ordinate and negotiate with all parties involved in a high value insurance transaction.

Our experience and bespoke process allows us to handle the largest, most complex cases with a level of efficiency and discretion that is unique in the market.

Founded in 2009, we are a management owned business.

Advisers
Ben Backhouse
Founding Director
07785 574 982
Ben established Risk Assured in 2009 to redefine the complexities of writing large life insurance contracts. He holds a degree in Politics and Theology from Bristol University and a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Ben is recognised for his expertise having previously been awarded Money Marketing Protection Adviser of the Year. Outside of work, Ben has a core interest in farming and estates, he is also Chair of the Finance Committee and Governor at his local secondary school.
Mike-Strutt
Mike Strutt
Senior Director
07973 793 755
Mike joined Risk Assured in 2014. Prior to this he spent 15 years as a Director at national IFA Firm Pantheon Financial Management, where he headed up the High Net Worth division. Protection was a fundamental part of the advisory process alongside investments and tax planning. He has a Master’s degree in Classics from Oxford University and holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. He enjoys playing football and fishing.
Josh-Harris
Josh Harris
Director
07989 579 424
Josh joined Risk Assured in 2021. Prior to this he was at the financial advisers Quilter and Prescient, firms which provided bespoke pension, life and investment advice. He has a Law degree and is a Chartered Financial Planner. He enjoys playing golf and collects vinyl records.
James-Agnew
James Agnew
Non-Executive Director
07764 567 848
James joined Risk Assured in 2021. Prior to this he was a founder partner of Stackhouse Poland, a specialist high net worth general insurance broker, sold to AJ Gallagher in 2019. James is a Chartered Insurance Practitioner and brings with him extensive strategic and high net worth experience. His interests outside work include country pursuits, card games and mentoring young people.
Lauren Deponeo
Associate Director
07881 636 053
Lauren joined Risk Assured in 2023. Prior to this she was at Vitality and more recently Aegon, where she was Protection Development Manager, helping build and maintain relationships for their most valuable accounts. She has a BSc (Hons) in Business and Information Technology and holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work she enjoys travelling and playing netball.
Catherine Wilson
Associate Director
07788 264 418
Catherine joined Risk Assured in 2023. Prior to this she spent 6 years as a Director at Russell Investments and 16 years at Standard Life working in partnership with HNW advisers, accountants and lawyers. She has a BSc (Hons) degree in Mathematics, is a Chartered Financial Planner, holds the Investment Management Certificate and is currently studying for her MBA. Outside of work she enjoys yoga, cycling and tennis.
Rose Fallon
Rose Fallon
Associate Director
07917 939 923
Rose joined Risk Assured in 2019. Prior to this, she worked at AXA insurance. Rose holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and graduated from Lancaster University with a BA (Hons) degree in History, a subject in which she has a keen interest. In her spare time Rose enjoys running, general fitness and travelling.
David-Ogley
David Ogley
Associate Director
07788 332 631
David joined Risk Assured in 2021. Most recently, he worked as an Account Manager for a claims management company. Prior to this, he worked at Aegon for a number of years. David graduated from Durham University and holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Earth Sciences. In his spare time David enjoys football and fell-walking.
Sophia Backley
Associate Director
07570 007 880
Sophia joined Risk Assured in 2024. Since joining she has all but completed her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work Sophia enjoys travelling, spending time with her family and is learning to play golf.
Adviser support
Jo-Johnstone
Jo Johnstone
Senior Associate
Jo joined Risk Assured in 2013. She has responsibility for all in force policies and the ongoing servicing of these as well as assisting with new business. Prior to joining Risk Assured, she worked at Aegon for 12 years in their Premier Service team looking after their key accounts, including Risk Assured. In her spare time Jo trains a Morris dancing troupe and runs marathons.
Katy Hickton
Senior Associate
Katy joined Risk Assured in 2023. She has worked in financial services for 19 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured, Katy was part of the Large Case & Premier Service team at Aegon looking after their key accounts. In her spare time Katy enjoys walking and spending time with her young children, family and friends.
Ben Johnston
Senior Associate
Prior to joining Risk Assured, Ben worked for Santander UK as an advisor for their retail banking network, specialising in risk management. He has worked in financial services for over 10 years. Outside of work, Ben enjoys cooking and is an avid walker, he is currently attempting to complete all of the Wainwright walks.
Lesley Ball
Senior Associate
Lesley has worked in financial services for 22 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured, Lesley managed the Large Case & Premier Service admin and underwriting teams at Aegon, ensuring high levels of service were met, along with building and maintaining relationships with their key accounts. In her spare time Lesley enjoys travel, theatre and spending time with family and friends.
Edward Karney
Senior Associate
Edward joined Risk Assured at the beginning of 2025. Prior to that he worked with a number of technology start-ups, and before that as the founder of one of the UK's leading electronic music artist management companies. He has a BSc(Hons) in Economics from Bristol University. His interests outside work include emerging technologies such as the blockchain, Web3 and AI. In his spare time Edward enjoys DJing and collecting records.
Noah MacLeod
Senior Associate
07553 271 660
Noah has a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics from Exeter University and with a keen interest in finance, is currently working towards his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work, Noah enjoys taking part in endurance challenges, he has swum from Alcatraz to San Francisco and is planning to swim the Strait of Gibraltar. He also enjoys triathlons, travelling and following football.
Jaden Douse
Senior Associate
After completing his A-Levels in Business, Biology, and Sport, Jaden chose to pursue a career in Financial Services. He’s gaining valuable experience supporting the advisory team, while studying towards his Diploma in Financial Planning. Outside of work, Jaden enjoys keeping fit and is a black belt in Karate. He is also an avid Formula 1 fan.
Rachel Garner
Managing Associate
Rachel joined Risk Assured in 2023. She has worked in financial services for over 25 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured Rachel worked at Guardian Royal Exchange, and more recently at Aegon, where she was part of the Large Sum Assured Team and responsible for all aspects of administration of HNW Business. In her spare time Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and going out for walks with her dog.
Lisa Rawcliffe
Associate
Lisa joined Risk Assured in 2023. She has worked in financial services for over 20 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured, Lisa worked at Aegon on the Premier Service Team where she was responsible for looking after their top five HNW accounts. In her spare time Lisa enjoys horse riding, running and spending time with her young family.
Nina Brownwood
Associate
Nina has worked in financial services for 19 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured, Nina worked at Aegon on the new business team, looking after the administrative needs of her key accounts. In her spare time, Nina enjoys reading, travel, theatre and spending time with friends and family.
Elif Ogretici
Associate
Elif holds a BA (Hons) in History and International Relations and an LLM in International Business and Corporate Law from Lancaster University. After completing her studies, she has chosen to pursue a career in financial services, where she aims to apply her analytical and research background to her work. In her spare time, Elif enjoys competing in Ballroom and Latin dancing.
Angus Dickens
Associate
Angus holds a BSc (Hons) in International Business Management from Cardiff University. Following his family roots, he has chosen to pursue a career in financial services and is working hard towards his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work, Angus is a single-digit handicap golfer and is always on hand to give the team golf lessons! He has a keen interest in music and over the past year has travelled and DJ’d across Southeast Asia, as well as Central and South America.
Isabella Barber
Associate
Bella holds an MA in Art History from the University of St Andrews with a focus on Cuban American art. After carrying out work experience at Marsh McLennan, Bella has chosen to pursue a career in financial services. Outside of work, Bella enjoys travelling and deepening her yoga practice, often combining it with mountain walking.
Underwriting and Broking
Chris-Latham
Chris Latham
Director of Broking
Chris has been with Risk Assured since 2011. Using his extensive knowledge of the high-net-worth insurance and reinsurance market, he ensures the acquisition of optimal terms for our clients. Chris is a member of the London Institute of Banking and Finance and holds an LIBF Certificate in Protection. Prior to joining, he worked at Aegon in their Premier Service team looking after their key accounts, including Risk Assured. In his spare time, he enjoys playing squash, padel and golf.
Andy Lomas
Director of Underwriting
Andy joined Risk Assured in 2018. He has worked in the insurance industry for 17 years and the last 10 in a large case underwriting role. He has extensive knowledge of the reinsurance market in addition to complex pricing arrangements. In his spare time he is a youth football coach and enjoys fly fishing.
Ungoo Anderson
Underwriter
Ungoo joined Risk Assured in 2022. She has worked in financial services for 19 years, having previously worked at Aegon, both in the High Net Worth team looking after key accounts and as an Underwriter. In her spare time she enjoys keeping active, eating out and spending time with her family.
Chesca Beirne
Underwriter
Chesca joined Risk Assured in 2023. She has worked in financial services for over 5 years. Prior to joining Risk Assured, Chesca worked at Aegon on the High Net Worth team and more recently on the Claims team assessing and dealing with life, critical & terminal illness claims. In her spare time, Chesca enjoys training and competing in triathlons. She also enjoys horse riding and has competed at County and National level in dressage.
Alan Marquis
Underwriter
Alan joined Risk Assured in 2024. He has over 35 years of experience in underwriting, with the past 25 years specialising in large case underwriting. He has extensive expertise in the high-net-worth market, with a wealth of experience on complex medical and financial underwriting. Alan holds Chartered Insurer status and is accredited with the ACII, as well as holding a Diploma in medical underwriting from the Assurance Medical Society. In his spare time, he enjoys country walks, attending concerts and watching football.
Alex-Capstick
Alex Capstick
Head of Medical Services
Alex joined Risk Assured in 2017 and provides underwriting support to our in-house underwriters. She has 20 years’ experience in financial services having worked previously at Aegon both in the pricing team and Premier Service team looking after their key accounts, including Risk Assured. Alex enjoys walking, cooking and travelling in her spare time.
Finance and Operations
Tanya-Nixey
Tanya Nixey
Director of Finance
Tanya has been with the firm since inception and acts as Company Secretary and Finance Director. Prior to this she was an Accountant at RSM UK. She has a degree in law and accountancy and is a member of the ICAEW. In her spare time, Tanya enjoys horse riding and running.
laura-dowdswell
Laura Hudson-Dowdeswell
Director of Operations
Laura joined Risk Assured in 2019. As director of operations, Laura has responsibility for the day to day operations of the business. Prior to Risk Assured, Laura has 14 years’ experience of working in financial services with the last 7 of those years dedicated to operations functions. In her spare time Laura enjoys travelling, playing golf and attending sporting events.
Olivia-Hill
Olivia Hill
Finance Associate
Olivia joined Risk Assured in 2022. Prior to this she worked at NS&I as a deputy team leader on the Incident Remediation team. Olivia has an AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting and graduated from Lancaster University with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design. In her spare time Olivia enjoys running, cooking and baking.
Sam Duffy
Operations Manager
Sam has over 25 years of experience in financial services. Her career spans a wide range of operational leadership roles, as well as extensive expertise in project and change management. Sam plays a key role in driving process improvements and delivering successful transformation initiatives. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time outdoors with her Labradoodle and cooking for her family.

Careers at Risk Assured

If you are interested in joining our team, please get in touch

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