Our team

Anna Last is an underwriting services executive for Novus Underwriting, responsible for general administrative duties, as well as making transactions, dealing with issues/discrepancies, and chasing brokers for additional data.

She joined the group in June 2022, having previously spent over a year as an underwriting and operations technician at Ensurance.

Outside of work, Anna likes to spend time with family and friends. She is also a trained beautician and still does a few appointments outside of work to keep busy.

Charlie Ward is an underwriting analyst at Novus Underwriting.

Charlie joined Novus in March 2021 having previously spent two years as a DUA Technician at Meridian RSL.

Outside of work Charlie likes to watch any kind of sport, in particular football. To keep active he would usually play football twice a week, before COVID-19 came along.

As Head of Customer Outcomes at Novus, Claire Carpenter manages the customer duty implementation, product governance and oversight framework to ensure the optimum customer experience. 

Claire has worked in compliance for 18 years and joins the Group after spending five years as an independent consultant, specialising in supporting MGAs and large insurers. She has previously worked as Head of Compliance and Conduct for several Lloyd’s insurers. 

Away from work, Clair enjoys spending time with her two young children. She also enjoys keeping marine fish and complex crustaceans.

Freddy Thumwood is an IBA technician for Novus Underwriting, responsible for producing agent statements, chasing premium, and the daily posting of receipts and payments.

He joined the group in December 2021, having previously worked as a credit controller at insurance broker Stonebridge Corporate for 11 years.

Outside of work, Freddy is a keen rugby player, and enjoys going out socialising with friends and family.

Grant McMorrow is Deputy Chief Underwriting Officer at Novus Underwriting. Grant specialises in sourcing, underwriting and managing multiple product lines across the broad spectrum of ‘specialist consumer products’ for our various capacity partners, focusing predominantly on warranty style business.

Grant previously worked within the Lloyd’s market, working for multiple managing agencies spanning the last 13 years. In that time he helped manage and develop multiple key relationships in the warranty space – helping the book to grow to one of the largest within Lloyd’s.

Outside of work Grant has a young family, but when time allows he enjoys playing and watching multiple sports, as well as walking his beloved dog.

Jamie Stoneley is an underwriter at Novus Underwriting.

Jamie joined Novus in February 2021, having previously spent over six years with Canopius Managing Agents mostly writing business covering individuals financial commitments or income if they are unable to work due to accident, sickness, or if they are unemployed.

Outside of work Jamie describes himself as a bit of a ‘fitness freak’ and can often be found on his bike. Despite not being a rower, or even interested in rowing, he has previously rowed the English Channel and around the Isle of Wight.

As an Operations Executive, Jennie coordinates operational communications across Novus offices. Sustaining relationships with different offices, Jennie assists in the claim translation management process.

Before joining the Aventum family, Jennie worked with an insurance agency and promotion company in Hong Kong. Jennie was enthusiastic about joining Novus as she was eager to help build a diverse work environment.

Able to speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Jennie enjoys practising yoga away from work.

John McGonigle is the Chief Underwriting Officer at Novus Underwriting. His main responsibilities include the profitable development and management of the warranty and consumer products portfolio underwritten on behalf of Novus’ capacity partners.

He has worked within the insurance industry since early 1991, mainly within the London market (both company and Lloyd’s). His focus since 1997 has been on the underwriting of warranty and associated consumer insurance products, both in the UK and on an international basis.

Outside of work he has undertaken a number of personal and team challenges for charity, including rowing the English Channel, riding the off-road London to Brighton route and climbing the three peaks.

As an Underwriter at Novus, Mark specialises in all major lines of Warranty and Gap - including Automotive, Consumer Appliances, Cap, Plant and Equipment and Bespoke Product Design.

After meeting with David Bearman and several of the senior management team many times over the last few years, Mark had grown to like the ethos of the Group. In addition, Mark had also worked with several of the Novus team previously, so for Mark, joining Novus was an easy choice to make.

Away from work, Mark is a Harlequins RFC season ticket holder. He also enjoys playing golf and being outdoors. With most of his holidays featuring hiking in the Alps or Rockies, Mark is a big fan of snow and his favourite activity is going on a multi-day Dog Sledding Safari.

Molly Brazier is an underwriting services executive at Novus Underwriting, responsible for processing transactions for Novus, and providing underwriting support for Aura Underwriting.

She joined the group in December 2021, having previously worked in IBA accounts at a large insurance broker dealing primarily with reinsurance business.

Outside of work, Molly loves fashion and shopping. In her spare time she will most likely be at Lakeside, Westfield, or online shopping.

Philip Wood is the chief executive officer at Novus Underwriting.

He has more than 28 years’ experience in extended warranty, all risks and niche product specialisms of the insurance market spanning across Europe, the Middle East and Far East markets.

Outside of work, Philip spends time with his family, including long walks with the pet dog. He also cycles to keep fit and shoots.

Steve Engeham is a senior underwriter at Novus Underwriting, responsible for profitably developing the Novus account and identifying new markets and products in line with company and capacity provider’s objectives.

He joined the group in June 2022, having previously spent 25 years as a warranty underwriter, including five years at Nex Assure, 16 years at QBE, and before than Domestic & General.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys mudlarking on the Thames with his eldest son, or painting in acrylics.

Terence Fung is the general manager for Asia at Novus Underwriting. He is based in Hong Kong and responsible for development in affinity business (warranty business) focusing on the Asia Pacific region. He manages Novus Representative Office in Hong Kong.

He has more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, working within several insurance companies, reinsurance companies and reinsurance brokers, and is familiar with the reinsurance market worldwide, particularly the Asia Pacific region.

Outside of work Terence enjoys playing tennis, and watches Premier League football games – he is a big fan of Arsenal.

William Howe is a claims manager at Novus Underwriting.

He joined the group in July 2022, having previously spent eight years as a motorsport mechanic in British GT, Blancpain Endurance series, Creventic 24H series, and on the East African Safari Rally.

Outside of work, William enjoys spending time with family, watching football, and restoring his classic car.