Meet the Team

Tim Sydenham ACII

Managing Director

Our MD Tim joined County in 1994. He is ACII-qualified and enjoys helping make insurance the way it should be. Tim oversees the day-to-day running and strategic direction of the family business. He is a passionate sporting fan and a lover of wines from different parts of the world. Tim enjoys swimming, playing football and spending quality time with his family. Click here to contact Tim.

Oliver Burns

Sales Director

Our Sales and Marketing Manager, Oliver, has a BA in Public Relations, Cert CII, and MCIPR, and extensive experience driving the sales and marketing strategy for the company. Out of work, he enjoys time with his family and once performed at the Edinburgh Fringe receiving a one-star review! Click here to contact Oliver.

Kirk Ford

Director of Compliance

Kirk joined County in 2023, with over a decade’s experience working in compliance. He has qualifications from the London Institute of Banking & Finance and the International Compliance Association. Kirk enjoys spending time with his partner Kirsty and his daughter Amelie. Outside of his work in compliance, he is also a personal trainer. Click here to contact Kirk.

Suzanne Taylor

Personal Insurance & Office Manager

Suzanne first joined the County team in 2000 and is now our Personal Lines and Office Manager, keeping our operation running smoothly! Outside of work, Suzanne is a keen walker and loves to travel! Click here to contact Suzanne.

Matthew Betts

Household Schemes Underwriting Manager

Matthew joined County in January 2024, Matthew comes with a wealth of experience from his previous position where he looked after a wide variety of household delegated authority insurance schemes.

A proud Norfolk resident, Matthew enjoys travelling, coastal walks, a keen Norwich City supporter and spending time with family. Click here to contact Matthew.

Darran Chapman

Chief Technical Officer

Darran joined County in November 2023, Darran has vast experience within the IT industry and has previously worked for a multi-national service provider and was responsible for the infrastructure of the company.

Darran is an experienced scuba diving instructor and he has had the opportunity to explore various seas around the world. Among his many adventures, his most cherished experience was diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, an achievement he realised a few years ago. Click here to contact Darran.

Chris Blackburn

Farm Account Executive

Chris joined County in 2012 and is a ‘go to’ on all things farm insurance. He is regularly spotted out in the field and once got stuck which required a client towing him out with their tractor! When not stranded, he is a big sports fan and enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters. Click here to contact Chris.

Sarah Burrows

Schemes Account Handler

Sarah joined County in 2013 now works as a Senior Account Handler responsible for County Thatch, Home and Private Medical Insurance. Outside of the office, she enjoys walking, reading and going to the theatre. Click here to contact Sarah.

Georgi Carron

Credit Controller

Georgi joined County in 2012 and is responsible for client premium collection. Outside of the office, she competes in showjumping up to Foxhunter level and enjoys spending time with her family in their motorhome. Click here to contact Georgi.

Amie Carter

Farm Account Handler

Amie Carter joined the County team in 2016 and is is a Farm & Equine account handler. She is qualified to CII and is responsible for handling accounts for Tim while managing her own book of clients. Outside of work, Amie enjoys spending time with her husband and child, shopping, and DIY projects. Click here to contact Amie.

Fenella Cook

Farm Account Handler

Fen is a Farm Account Handler and mainly assists Lisa with her clients and insurance portfolio. With a BSc in Agriculture and Farm Management and a family farm background, Fenella has a wealth of real-world experience and even runs her own herd of 12 dexter cows! Click here to contact Fenella.

Amy Cox

Farm Account Handler

Amy, has a BSc in Agriculture and a Diploma in Customer Relationship Management and has plenty of experience out in the field! She once milked cows in New Zealand before heading to university! Contact her for any enquiries or policy adjustments. Click here to contact Amy.

Charlotte Clayton

Schemes Account Handler

Alongside her role as mum to daughter Maya and being an account handler, Charlotte is an expert in managing general and new business enquiries, renewals and adjustments for our home and thatch policyholders. Charlotte also has extensive experience with high net worth insurances. Click here to contact Charlotte.

Bethan Easton

Trainee Farm Account Handler

In Bethan’s spare time she enjoys helping out on her Aunt and Uncle’s Farm with their black Labradors Dipper and Rocky. She loves a Country Show, especially if it involves Shopping!

Ryan Ewing

Compliance Officer

Ryan is our Compliance Officer, overseeing the day to day running of any compliance issues. He is a keen motorcycle enthusiast and has extended family all over the world. Click here to contact Ryan.

Jane Griffiths

Senior Schemes Claims Handler

Jane has a wealth of experience gained from her 15 years with County and certainly puts it to use in her role as schemes Senior Claims Handler. Click here to contact Jane.

Mark Harding

Business Account Executive

Since joining in 2002, Mark has become an expert in handling complex commercial, new business, and renewals. Outside of work he is a fan of Arsenal, darts and singing as a duo with his wife or as part of a barbershop quartet! To find out more about Mark and request a quote for your business, click here.

Ellie Hedges

Business Account Handler

Account Handler Ellie has a Bsc in Applied Equine Science and Business and is responsible for handling commercial account, renewals, mid-term adjustments and new business. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys walking her dog, horse riding and rock climbing. Click here to contact Ellie.

Vashika Harrisunker

Account Handler

Vashika joined County in January 2024, Vashika has relocated from South Africa and she has a wealth of experience from her previous role as a team leader in a large commercial insurer firm.

Having relocated to the UK with her family Vashika is enjoying exploring England and enjoying our beautiful countryside with her family, Vashika also enjoys reading across a spectrum of genres including contemporary, dystopian and literary fiction, as well as autobiographies and non-fiction. Click here to contact Vashika.

Elyse Heron

Farm Account Handler

Elyse has a degree in Equine Business Management. She prepares renewals and policy changes and also champions County’s sustainability efforts. Outside of work Elyse enjoys outdoor activities including, riding, running, and dog walking. Elyse’s mother first sat her on a horse when she was 8 weeks old. Click here to contact Elyse.

Becky Kooner

Farm Account Handler

Becky joined the team in 2021 as an Account Handler and is responsible for supporting Ollie’s clients. Outside of the office, Becky is a keen reader and proud mum to both human adult children and the furry kind. Click here to contact Becky.

Paul Marshall

Schemes Account Handler

Paul joined County in April 2022 as an Account Handler. His role involves supporting County Heritage policyholders by issuing renewals, dealing with client and broker queries, issuing endorsements, and providing new business quotes. Outside of work, he can often be found with a cue, playing snooker and pool for a local team. Click here to contact Paul.

Lisa Mosson

Farm Account Executive

Lisa Mosson is our Commercial Account Executive and joined County in 2013. With her certification in CII, she manages client accounts and regularly attends farming events. Outside of work, she enjoys countryside walks, National Hunt horse racing, and travelling with her family. Click here to contact Lisa.

Heidi Parker

Schemes Account Handler

Heidi joined Heritage in 2014 (acquired by County in 2021). She is responsible for issuing renewals, completing new business quotes and MTA’s. In her spare time, she is lover of all things horse related, likes to travel, read and enjoys spending time with her family. Click here to contact Heidi.

Tish Phillips

Senior Farm Claims Handler

Tish is a Senior Claims Handler who joined County in 2019 and is responsible for all our farm claims. Outside of work she enjoys cycling, horse riding, pilates and spending time with her family. She once had to track a lost pony through two African countries and it took her a week to get it back! Click here to contact Tish.

Melanie Quainton

Schemes Account Handler

Melanie is one of our Senior Account Handlers and joined County in 2007. Fully CII qualified, her responsibilities include Account Handling, In-House underwriting referrals, Staff Training, OGI System Development & Maintenance. Outside of work, Melanie has a keen interest in history which certainly helps when dealing with old, historic properties! Click here to contact Melanie.

Eddie Ryan

Business Senior Account Handler

Eddie first joined County in 2009 and looks after our SME clients, Liability and Property policies. Outside of work, Eddie is a film enthusiast and loves a walk with his dogs and spending time with his grandson. Click here to contact Eddie.

Kate Statham

Business Account Handler

Kate Statham joined County in 2020 as Account Handler and her responsiblilities include renewals, mid-term changes, remarketing, and aged debtors. Outside of work, Kate enjoys attending fitness classes, socialising, the cinema and theatre. Click here to contact Kate.

Sean Smythe

Business Account Executive

Sean is one of our Commercial Account Executives and advises clients on risk transfer solutions for their business. Alongside a batchelor’s degree in Ancient History and Archaeology, Sean also plays tennis and captains a few teams for his local club. Click here to contact Sean.

Ben Thomas

Trainee Business Account Handler

Ben joined County in January 2024 as a Trainee Business Account Handler. Ben is enrolled in the Aviva Broker Apprenticeship Programme for 2024.

Ben spends his spare time on his family’s diversified farm.

A keen sports enthusiast, Ben has played rugby since he was very young and is also a fan of Manchester United, UFC & Boxing.

Click here to contact Ben.

Will Tuely

Farm Account Handler

Will is an experienced Account Handler and joined County in 2017. He is responsible for managing renewals and mid-term adjustments. Outside of work, he enjoys country pursuits and was once held at gun point at the Bosnian border while travelling with two harpsicords! Click here to contact Will.

Darren Ward

Senior Business Claims Handler

Darren joined County in 2023 and is one of our Senior Claims Account Handlers. He is ACII-qualified and has 35 years’ experience in insurance. In his spare time Darren enjoys watching football, walking and reading about history. Click here to contact Darren.