Where track record meets technology. Experience you can trust.
Graham has spent most of his career in the financial services industry, working in investment banking, and insurance. His experience includes time as Managing Director of Aqua Underwriting and as CEO of Oxygen Insurance Brokers.
In 2016 Graham co-founded Azur Group (as its CEO), a digital-first MGA that put customer experience at its heart. Azur quickly established itself as a leading High Net Worth MGA and created a technology arm, Azur Technology. In 2022, Azur Group split in half, with the technology part establishing itself as a standalone company – Azur Technology. Graham now also serves as non-Exec Chairman of Azur Technology.
When not shouting at politicians on the radio, Graham can be heard torturing the English Hymnal on the organ in Church.
Mike is a Lloyd’s/London Market Insurance professional in both broking and underwriting with 28 years’ experience. From 2009–2022, Mike was the Executive Underwriter for Political Violence and Political Risk at Ascot Underwriting. His role was significantly expanded to cover a multitude of other areas including Leadership and Management, Underwriting, Strategic Broker Distribution, Underwriting Operations & Modernisation including work streams like Brexit and Future at Lloyd’s.
Mike is the youngest co-founder of Crux despite looking the oldest; he puts this down to the struggles he has faced having been a lifetime Watford FC fan.
Annabel brings with her nearly three decades of experience in the insurance industry. She began her career at Hiscox in 1995 and quickly rose to lead their Fine Art account, later holding class underwriting roles at Ascot and AXA ART, where she went on to serve as UK CEO, driving both growth and operational transformation.
Annabel has since held key leadership positions across underwriting and broking, including at Neon, where she successfully led the regulatory turnaround in underwriting controls, and at Miller, where she built a new Fine Art and Specie broking team.
Outside of work, Annabel thrives on adventurous pursuits from slalom skiing and mountain hikes to skeleton tobogganing and even mastering the flying trapeze in the jungles of Costa Rica.
Khiz has over 20 years of experience in insurance having worked for an MGA and a couple of large US insurance groups. He is a strategic finance leader with a track record in steering complex financial operations and strategic growth initiatives. Most recently Khiz worked at Fortegra, a leading Specialty and Consumer products insurance group, and was CFO of Fortegra’s UK and Belgium based carriers.
Khiz began his career at Grant Thornton, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. In his free time, Khiz enjoys running or hacking a golf ball round the course.
Outside insight. Inside impact.
Rob worked at the Ascot Group for 16 years including 11 years as an Executive Director and member of the UK Board. His role included being both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer which covered responsibility for all departments supporting Underwriting. In addition, he was a member of the Group Executive Committee which was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation at Ascot. Prior to Ascot Rob worked for five years at Chubb Insurance in Strategic Development and Alternative Risk. Rob started his career at EY where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Rob is currently a Non-Executive Director at Azur Technology Limited.
Unlike many other who express their love of theatre, Rob believes musical theatre should be placed in Room 101 and George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is surprisingly accurate. Rob does, however, love dogs and is also quite happy with cats (the non-musical ones).
Yvonne began her career at the QBE Group, latterly within the Financial Risks Division.
Yvonne joined the Ascot Group in 2002, where she was employed for 21 years, including as an Executive Director for 12 years. Yvonne served as Ascot’s Group Chief of Staff and Human Resources Officer, responsible for Administration and HR across the Group. She was a member of the Group Executive Committee. She assumed the role of Group COO/CAO, having responsibility for HR, operations, legal and compliance, marketing and communications, including 3years in the US.
In her spare time, Yvonne swaps her work attire for rock attire, following her 80s idols, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and others around the globe.
Charles Rowley started DA Strategy in 2015 to support Insurers, Managing Agents, Brokers, Coverholders and MGAs navigating the multi-faceted challenges of Delegated Authority business. DA Strategy is a leading Delegated Authority consultancy in London comprising experienced London Market professionals with expertise in a broad range of specialised areas key to the Delegated Authority success including start up MGA Acceleration, Data Strategy, DA Risk Management Optimisation and Product Governance.
Bridging business and technology to make insurance effortless.
Lottie has over a decade of experience in underwriting, client relationship management, and product development. She began her career at Aviva, holding a range of roles across underwriting, client-facing, and product teams, before moving to RenaissanceRe, where she specialised in developing and managing Delegated Underwriting Products.
She enjoys bringing a product-focused mindset to the complexities of the London Market, with a particular interest in solving the challenges that deliver real value to clients and partners.
Outside of work, Lottie is passionate about staying active and trying new things — happiest when exploring new restaurants or travelling somewhere she’s never been before.
Nathan brings six years of Product experience, having started out in data and consumer insights. Working at tech startup Black Swan Data on its data science-underpinned internal platforms and SaaS product, he saw firsthand the power enriched data can deliver through a Product-led approach.
Before joining the Crux team, he helped shape CFC’s Cyber-focused ‘Response’ products, and most recently led the digitisation and automation of the Underwriting workflow at IQUW.
Outside of work, Nathan enjoys being let down by Southampton F.C., a good psychological thriller, and seeking out the best pint of Guinness in London.
Guarding your assets against political violence and terrorism.
Mike is a Lloyd’s/London Market Insurance professional in both broking and underwriting with 28 years’ experience. From 2009–2022, Mike was the Executive Underwriter for Political Violence and Political Risk at Ascot Underwriting. His role was significantly expanded to cover a multitude of other areas including Leadership and Management, Underwriting, Strategic Broker Distribution, Underwriting Operations & Modernisation including work streams like Brexit and Future at Lloyd’s.
Mike is the youngest co-founder of Crux despite looking the oldest; he puts this down to the struggles he has faced having been a lifetime Watford FC fan.
Matti Rooney Smith graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Marketing and Events in May 2024. Matti joined Crux in her first role and as the company’s first hire. With a passion for staying ahead in a fast-changing world, Matti sees Crux as the perfect place to launch her career.
Outside of the office, she enjoys sports, retail therapy and soaking up the sun – ideally with a glass of wine in hand.
Making international liability simple, swift, and secure.
Rob worked at the Ascot Group for 16 years including 11 years as an Executive Director and member of the UK Board. His role included being both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer which covered responsibility for all departments supporting Underwriting. In addition, he was a member of the Group Executive Committee which was responsible for the strategic planning and implementation at Ascot. Prior to Ascot Rob worked for five years at Chubb Insurance in Strategic Development and Alternative Risk. Rob started his career at EY where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Rob is currently a Non-Executive Director at Azur Technology Limited.
Unlike many other who express their love of theatre, Rob believes musical theatre should be placed in Room 101 and George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is surprisingly accurate. Rob does, however, love dogs and is also quite happy with cats (the non-musical ones).
Yvonne began her career at the QBE Group, latterly within the Financial Risks Division.
Yvonne joined the Ascot Group in 2002, where she was employed for 21 years, including as an Executive Director for 12 years. Yvonne served as Ascot’s Group Chief of Staff and Human Resources Officer, responsible for Administration and HR across the Group. She was a member of the Group Executive Committee. She assumed the role of Group COO/CAO, having responsibility for HR, operations, legal and compliance, marketing and communications, including 3years in the US.
In her spare time, Yvonne swaps her work attire for rock attire, following her 80s idols, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard and others around the globe.
Charles Rowley started DA Strategy in 2015 to support Insurers, Managing Agents, Brokers, Coverholders and MGAs navigating the multi-faceted challenges of Delegated Authority business. DA Strategy is a leading Delegated Authority consultancy in London comprising experienced London Market professionals with expertise in a broad range of specialised areas key to the Delegated Authority success including start up MGA Acceleration, Data Strategy, DA Risk Management Optimisation and Product Governance.
