Our Leadership Team

Michael is Group Chief Executive Officer; he joined the company in March 2019. Michael has extensive experience in digitally-driven, agile, technology-based distribution and underwriting.

Before joining 1st Central, Michael was Managing Director within the Hastings Insurance Group and part of the executive team that led the private equity deal with Goldman Sachs in 2013 and successfully floated the business in 2015. During his time with Hastings, Michael was fundamental to the success of the business, having had responsibility for the claims, counter fraud, underwriting, and reinsurance functions.

Before joining Hastings, Michael co-founded Southern Rock Insurance Company, and spent 10 years at Provident Insurance Plc.

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Gareth became Chief Financial Officer at 1st Central in October 2024, after joining the company as Chief Underwriting Officer in 2019.

A qualified general insurance actuary, Gareth began his career in finance, focusing on reserving and capital management. He then switched to pricing and underwriting at Zurich Insurance in the UK. In 2012, he moved to AXA, initially leading the manufacturing teams in the personal lines business. By 2014, his responsibilities expanded to include marketing and customer functions. He then spent four years in a broader general management role at AXA UK, overseeing the personal lines businesses, including AXA Direct and AXA Intermediary.

Outside work, Gareth enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. He has a passion for traveling, cooking, reading and sport of any nature but particularly racquet sports and cycling.

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Ben joined 1st Central as Chief Commercial Officer in August 2019 to help develop and deliver the group’s 5-year strategy. Ben is a Chartered Insurer with an MBA and diploma in Corporate Governance.

Before joining 1st Central, Ben spent 10 years at Hastings Direct in various roles, most recently as Digital and Marketing Director. Prior to that, he worked for a start-up, Castle Cover and the BGL group.
 
Whenever possible, Ben likes to be outdoors during his spare time – whether it's walking or playing tennis. But, most of all, he loves spending time with his wife and two young children.

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Jo has worked at 1st Central since the company started back in 2008 – initially as HR Manager, then Head of HR and HR director. She became Chief People Officer in January 2021.

As a business we know the people we employ are, without doubt, our biggest asset. Jo’s extensive HR experience and her passion for making 1st Central a place where people can thrive has helped us in our mission to become an employer of choice. Before joining First Central, Jo spent four years at Hastings Direct working in HR and she is MCIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) qualified.

In her spare time, Jo loves travelling, keeping fit and being outdoors. She’s a keen skier and, having completed several half marathons and marathons, an avid runner. 

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Jonathan leads the Group’s frontline claims, fraud, retail and complaints operations across multiple sites both in the UK and South Africa. His role includes accountability for end-to-end claims management, fraud management and customer management, using insight combined with technology to optimise performance and deliver good customer outcomes.

As a Chartered Insurer Jonathan has worked in the industry for more than 25 years, predominantly within motor and household insurance. 

Jonathan loves the outdoors and is a keen hiker as well as a proud father.

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Zuzana joined 1st Central as Head of Premium Finance in 2012. Over time, her role broadened to include Contact Centre management, service quality, customer claims and operational excellence. After becoming Operations Director in 2019, she was promoted to Programme Director in 2020 before becoming Chief Transformation Officer in 2023. Zuzana is responsible for delivering agreed strategic priorities. She leads teams through largescale projects across the business to achieve strategy optimisation, performance improvement and effective programme delivery.

Zuzana has vast experience of the Financial Services sector, previous senior leadership roles being at Premium Credit Ltd and TheJudge Ltd.

In her spare time, Zuzana enjoys travelling and learning about new cultures as well as walking, cycling and trying her hand at interior design.

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John is 1st Central Group’s Chief Information Officer. He joined the company as Group Chief Architect in August 2011 with responsibility for developing the business’s internal technical capabilities, particularly online. His wealth of experience has helped us digitise the traditional back-office insurance functions and build our own, more modern and flexible, insurance 'suite'.
 
Before joining us, John spent many years developing innovative solutions for insurers and brokers worldwide in both commercial and personal lines markets.
 
John’s based in Guernsey where he lives with his partner Steph and their four children. When time permits, he enjoys kayaking, cycling or the occasional round of golf.

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Richard joined 1st Central as Chief Governance Officer in November 2020 to oversee its governance functions, including the risk and compliance, legal, internal audit and company secretarial areas. He also makes sure the Group is governed in accordance with the standards set by the Board, Regulators and best industry practice.

Richard joined First Central from AmTrust International, a US-owned insurance group with a large European footprint, where he served as General Counsel. Before this, he also held senior positions at Genworth Financial and RBS Insurance and led legal teams overseeing the Direct Line and Churchill brands.

Outside work, Richard loves playing and watching sport. As an Australian, he’s a perennially frustrated Wallabies supporter, and likes to try his hand at golf. He also loves to travel and spend quality time with family and friends.

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Will joined 1st Central as Chief of Staff in 2021, before becoming Group Strategy Director in March 2023. He works closely with senior leaders across the business to define the Group’s strategy and coordinates delivery of key strategic projects.

Before joining 1st Central, Will spent several years working as a lawyer at a top tier international law firm. An MBA at London Business School followed, during which he consulted multi-national digital and retail businesses and started his own retail tech business which he exited in 2021. 

In his spare time, Will gets taken for runs by his dog ‘Happy’, attempts to sharpen his DIY skills around the house and spends quality time with his wife and son.

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