Leadership

Mike Smith

Mike Smith

Head of Marine Specialty

Mike joined the Chaucer Group in November 2021. He has over 35 years’ experience working within the marine insurance industry, focusing on all aspects of marine cargo and freight liability insurance from both a broking, and claims management perspective. Prior to joining, Mike worked as a Director at Willis Tower Watson with responsibility for servicing a portfolio of global cargo accounts.

John Whitwood

John Whitwood

Claims Manager

John joined the Chaucer Group in March 2022 with over 45 years in the insurance industry that commenced with Marsh (previously Bland Payne) as a technician in the Marine Reinsurance Division. Having gained 4 years’ experience in the role he was offered a change in career and location and moved to Bermuda where he gained experience in Marine, Non-Marine and Captive Management, returning to the UK after 7 years to take up a position with Willis Faber & Dumas. Over the next 20 years he held various leadership roles within Reinsurance, Marine and Operations before moving to Claims & Recovery Services Ltd to commence his dedication to Cargo insurance and promotion to Director with responsibility for operations of the overseas offices in Moscow, Prague and Kiev. Following the closure of the company he was responsible for the integration of the claims team into the Marine Cargo Department and assumed the role of Manager. In 2008 John moved to Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty as a Senior Claims Adjuster on the cargo & freight liability account for 14 years before joining Lonham to lead the Lonham claims team and develop a wider claims proposition for Chaucer’s Marine Specialty business.  

Dawn Chambers

Operations Accounts Team Leader