Pound Gates

Meet the Team

Our nursery team understand your business and the challenges you face.

They will work with you to ensure that you have the right level of insurance cover to suit you. To get in touch with any of our nursery team, please call 01473 356118 or request a call back

Craig Albon Cert, CII
Claims Technician

Craig’s career in commercial insurance claims spans over 30 years. During that time he has worked for insurers, loss adjusters and brokers, giving him a unique insight into all areas of the claims process. Craig holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. He has a particular specialism in property and liability claims, but has a broad knowledge of all areas of commercial insurance claims.

Craig joined Pound Gates in May 2014. He prides himself on not taking ‘no’ for an answer and in getting the best possible outcome for our clients.

Lydia Ashcroft
Schemes Underwriter

Lydia joined the Underwriting team in 2023, having worked in financial services for many years prior to this.

Having moved to Ipswich in the last few years, Lydia enjoys exploring Suffolk and finding new restaurants and places to visit with her young family.

Christine Bond
Marketing Manager

Christine joined Pound Gates in June 2018, and works across all of the Pound Gates’ companies, including our charity The Soma Leo Foundation. She has over 20 years’ marketing experience gained from a range of industries, and both in-house and agency-side roles. Her experience covers everything from PR to branding, event management to web development, social media to video production, and strategy to investor relations. 

Kevin Collins BA MEconSC, ACII
Managing Director

Kevin graduated from University College Dublin in 1989 with a Masters Degree in Economics. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute having started his professional career with a major insurance company. Kevin joined the business in 2000 and led the management buy-out in 2002. He is proud of the accreditations the business holds, but more important than these quality badges is the client feedback and testimonials we receive. Kevin is delighted our clients see our business as an important partner in the success of their businesses.

Sian Drennhaus Cert, CII
Senior Underwriter

Sian has over 25 years insurance experience, 24 of which have been on the nursery scheme, having joined Pound Gates as a trainee in 1994. Sian is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and holds the Certificate of Insurance.

Sian is married with two children, both of which attended nursery from 10 months old when she returned to work. Sian feels that having had two children at nursery gives her a good understanding and insight of the sector to help her daily in her job. Sian is a Qualified Mental Health First Aider and a committee member at the pre-school and out of school club that her children attend.

Angie Gleen Cert, CII
Claims Technician

Angie has worked in commercial insurance for over 20 years, always within the broking environment. Angie has a very broad knowledge of all areas of commercial insurance claims. Angie holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Sophie Hewings Cert, CII
Claims Technician

Sophie joined Pound Gates in 2001. She is highly proficient in all areas of commercial claims. Sophie holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Shirley Mills Cert, CII
Client Service Advisor

Shirley joined Pound Gates in August 2008 and has supported our nursery scheme for the past 11 years. During this time she has built up good relationships with many clients. Shirley holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. She is also a member of the charity committee.

Shirley has three grown up children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she spends a lot of time with her Grandchildren, and also enjoys travelling especially to America to see her son and his wife and new grandson and Peanut the dog.

Abigail Pearce Cert, CII
Client Service Advisor

Abigail joined Pound Gates in 2008 with seven years previous insurance experience, and holds the Certificate in Insurance with the Chartered Insurance Institute. In supporting our Nursery Scheme clients for over 11 years and representing Pound Gates at NDNA member events around the UK, she has gained a strong understanding of issues within the sector and also thus supported the development of the Nursery Scheme.

Abigail is married and she and her husband enjoy cycling and walking together in the beautiful Suffolk countryside where they live. They love to travel, exploring the local history and cuisine but also look forward to the winter season combining this passion for food with snowboarding in Europe.

Kerry Sharland Cert, CII
Claims Technician

Kerry joined Pound Gates in 2011 having spent the previous 10 years with a major insurer. She has a broad knowledge of all commercial claim types. Kerry holds the Certificate in Insurance qualification is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Del Sharman ACII
Director

Del started his career as a commercial underwriter with Commercial Union in 1994, progressing through various senior roles as the organisation merged with General Accident and later Norwich Union to become Aviva. Del is Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute and holds the Advanced Diploma (ACII) qualification. He joined Pound Gates in 2001 and became a Director in 2013. Del leads our work in the nursery sector and is responsible for ensuring we deliver a first class service and market-leading products.

Del is married with two daughters. He is a keen cyclist and very amateur tennis player. Del is also responsible for managing the Pound Gates’ Acorn Fund with the Suffolk Community Foundation.