Management Team

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Andy Tedstone Headshot

Andy Tedstone

Chief Executive Officer

Andy has been CEO of Cobra Network since July 2019, which is part of PIB Group. He joined PIB in 2017 to oversee its strategic insurer relationships as well its overall broking and placement strategy. Andy has spent over 30 years (of his 32+ year career) broking in various businesses, including a small family brokerage, a wholesale scheme broker, Arthur J Gallagher and Giles. So he has seen broking from every angle, and he understands the needs of independent brokers.

Joanne Russell Headshot

Joanne Russell

Chief Operations Officer

Joanne has spent over 20+ years in insurance, starting out in broker networks before moving into retail, underwriting and wholesale – and back to networks again! Previous roles include Brand Director at Gallagher, one of the world’s biggest brokerages, and Head of Group Marketing & Communications at Giles. A key part of Joanne's role is to help build the most exciting proposition for our members, to grow the network and to build the brand. She is involved in every aspect of the network operations from service development to key partner relationships.

Vince Ollard Headshot

Vince Ollard

Head of Sales and Development

As well looking after his own panel of members in the Southern region, Vince is also head of sales and development. Vince has worked in insurance for over 40 years, including as an underwriter for major insurers and also in development roles. He spent 5 years with a provincial broker before joining Cobra Network in 2012.

Jonny Birkett Headshot

Jonathan Birkett

Finance Business Partner

Jonathon joined Cobra Network in May 2022 as an MI Analyst, working closely with our finance business partner. Jonathon's background is in the water industry; previously working as a Finance Analyst as well as a MI Analyst within the management accounts team, which provided him with the skills he has brought to his network role.

Stuart Headshot

Stuart Knowles

Head of Trading

Stuart helps members connect with insurers and providers, and works with them to achieve their goals and plans. He has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial insurance sector, working within both provincial brokerages and networks. This allows him to see the real-life day-to-day challenges brokers face and how these impact on the business. In his words, he joined Cobra to become part of a network truly aligned to the independent broker.

Michael Headshot

Michael Bigden

Head of Member Services

Michael works with all service providers to ensure that Cobra Network continue to have the best offering in the market, as well as constantly looking to bring in new services to further support network members. Michael has worked in the industry for 14+ years including 5 years at a large Motor insurer and 9 years in the Broking space including setting up his own, working for a large independent broker and being involved with several other start-ups! Having worked with the network as a broker Michael knows what brokers want and will strive to ensure the best value proposition possible for all network members.

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