Biographies - Who's who around the table

Danielle Bennett, group human resources manager, Alec Finch

Danielle Bennett was formerly an advertising and marketing co-ordinator in the corporate entertainment industry. Between 1999 and 2002 she worked for Lorien as human resources officer and, in 2002, she moved into her current role with the Alec Finch Group, an international brokerage and employee benefit consultancy for corporations and professionals. Bennett is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Amanda Blanc, distribution and customer service director, Groupama

Amanda Blanc started her career as a graduate trainee at Commercial Union, where she progressed to fleet and casualty underwriter before becoming area manager for the North-east and Belfast. After a year working for Ernst & Young she returned to the industry, taking up the position of regional director at Axa. In 2003, Blanc joined Groupama as distribution and customer service director.

Mark Boon, managing director, La Playa

With 20 years of industry experience, Mark Boon has arranged insurance for firms in the media, arts and technology fields for over a decade. He began in insurance, underwriting with Pearl, before moving into broking with NW Brown, being made a partner in 1995. In 1999 he founded Cambridge-based broker La Playa, specialising in media, arts, technology risks and high net worth. Boon is also chairman of design agency Adrenaline Creative and a trustee of Momentum Arts.

Paul Bryant, director, human resources and training, Truman Lincoln

Paul Bryant started with professional indemnity specialist APIA in 1987. In 1990 he joined Phil Truman to found Truman Insurance Services. Following the merger with Lincoln Tilbury Steward in 2001, Bryant has overseen the human resources and training and competence requirements of the business. He is the compliance officer for Truman Lincoln and also training and compliance officer for the South-east region of the British Insurance Brokers' Association.

Graham Coates, head of operations, Stuart Alexander

Graham Coates began as a trainee at the Royal. He then moved to Provincial, becoming a manager when UAP bought Provincial and regional director when Axa and UAP merged. He rose to regional director for Axa's London operations when Axa bought Guardian. After a year of teaching, Coates returned to insurance, joining Stuart Alexander as group operations director with responsibility for markets, human resources, compliance and business planning.

David Cooper, director, Mansion House

Director and co-founder of Mansion House Executive, a boutique executive search consultancy working for clients across the insurance industry, David Cooper has more than ten years of experience of recruiting senior staff into the industry and has successfully completed projects for clients in the London Market and throughout the UK. Prior to entering the recruitment industry Cooper spent three years working in the broking sector.

Gary Head, professions underwriting director, Hiscox

Gary Head joined Hiscox in 1996 to help develop the professions side of the business and his efforts have led to the company's profitable expansion in what is a growing sector. Prior to joining his current employer, Head worked exclusively on the broking side of the insurance industry in a wide variety of roles and companies, most recently with Bain Hogg.

Tony Tudor, director and company secretary, Institute of Financial Services

Tony Tudor's current role at the Institute of Financial Services means he is responsible for all legal, constitutional and governance matters. He joined from the General Insurance Standards Council where he was head of enforcement. Prior to that, Tudor was a director at The Chartered Insurance Institute and he has also worked in many different parts of the UK insurance industry - at Lloyd's, major companies and a range of intermediary firms. He is a qualified barrister.

Stephanie Willbond-Hill, human resources and training manager, Miles Smith

With a competency and development-focused background, Stephanie Willbond-Hill was head of training for the Environmental Services Association. She left in 2000 to work for a private recycling company. In 2002 she was recruited by Miles Smith to set up its in-house continued professional development programme. Willbond-Hill is currently studying personnel practice through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.