About the speakers

Julie Corkish, Head of Practice, ICAEW
Julie is ICAEW qualified and has worked in practice, industry, and accountancy education across a range of firms and organisations. As Head of Practice, Julie leads on the design and delivery of ICAEW’s strategy for supporting members in Practice and ICAEW Member Firms.

Chris Downing, Director for Accountants and Bookkeepers, Sage
Chris joined Sage having been a partner at a top 100 accountancy firm. He brings nearly 20 years of hands-on experience and strategic insight of the profession, coupled with an infectious enthusiasm in the adoption of technology and Business intelligence to improve reporting and drive innovation in the SME sector.

Alastair Hamilton, Claims Adviser, Marsh Commercial, Southern Claims Hub
A client-focused insurance solicitor with over 12 years’ experience of providing resolution and service to insurers, insurance intermediaries and clients. Alastair guides clients successfully through contentious and non-contentious claims and is adept at advising on numerous recognised classes of businesses including: professional indemnity (solicitors, accountants; brokers etc.); cyber; political risk (pure political risk and export credit); medical malpractice; marine and energy; and kidnap and ransom. He has a firm belief that InsurTech, Cyber and Cryptocurrencies encompass the rapidly evolving use of technology not only in insurance-related transactions and processes but in the wider world. These developments are having a transformative effect all areas of the insurance industry. 

Roz Harrington, Senior Practice Manager, ICAEW
An experienced engagement strategist and programme manager, Roz works to help practitioners succeed by providing them with access to skills, knowledge and tools to service their clients across the business and wider community. Before joining ICAEW, Roz worked for a healthcare charity overseeing central operations for 35 hospitals across the UK.

Nila Khan, Practice Consultant – Business Advice, ICAEW
Nila is a fellow of the ICAEW and qualified with a Big Four firm. She has been a principal in practice for 13 years. At ICAEW, Nila is part of the practice team and develops advisory resources for members in practice and their clients.

Edward Partridge, Senior Vice President, Bristol Enterprise Centre of Excellence, Marsh Commercial
Ed Partridge has 18 years’ experience in the insurance market, specialising in partnerships, working with organisations to develop and deliver bespoke insurance solutions for their members and clients. Most recently, Ed has taken the role of Senior Vice President at Marsh Commercial and looks after the Bristol Centre of Excellence, which has a core specialism in professional indemnity insurance (PII) for accountants. 

Simone Taylor-Allkins, Senior Professional Consultant – Technical Advisory, ICAEW
After qualifying with a top 20 firm, Simone moved to Grant Thornton and worked with a diverse portfolio of manager-owned businesses in a varied role covering both audit engagements and management accountancy engagements. After 18 months in the audit and assurance team, she transferred to their national training centre in High Wycombe to train audit trainees for the firm. From 2007 to 2010, she decided to apply her skills to the education of non-financial managers working as a freelance finance trainer for worldwide blue chip companies. This eventually led her back to her technical roots in July 2010, joining the ICAEW Technical Advisory Service, helping fellow chartered accountants make sense of accountancy, audit, company law, anti-money laundering and ethical regulations.