Our Leadership Team

Paul Barnard

Founder & CEO

Paul has over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry. His journey commenced in 1984 with Pearl Insurance, followed by a successful stint at Prudential in 1987.

Driven by entrepreneurship, Paul laid the groundwork for his own brokerage in 1989. This initiative marked the genesis of a larger vision, culminating in the birth of the Paragon brand in 2000.

Under Paul's strategic leadership and vision, Paragon has burgeoned from its humble origins to a formidable contender in the UK personal lines market. Paul's abundant industry wisdom continues to navigate the company's strategic direction, fostering growth and profitability in an ever-evolving landscape.

Leigh Palmer

Head of Operations

Leigh, serving as the Head of Operations at Paragon, boasts a remarkable journey that commenced in 1992, straight from school. Beginning as a junior in 1992, Leigh’s commitment and adaptability has seen her grow and thrive in almost every role within the organisation.

Today, her responsibilities as the Operations Manager include office management, broker relationships, and general business matters.

With an intricate understanding of Paragon's operational ecosystem, Leigh's vast experience continues to be instrumental in facilitating seamless workflows and fostering strong broker relationships.

Stewart Hayden

Head of Products

Stewart, the Head of Products at Paragon, possesses a rich professional journey that spans various pivotal roles in the insurance industry. His career took flight as an underwriter in the Lloyd's market, followed by a tenure at Paragon from 1998 to 2000.

Stewart then broadened his experience at HSBC Insurance, initially serving in the underwriting department and later as an Operations Manager on the HSBC Insurance board.

In 2010, he returned to Paragon in the capacity of Technical Manager. Stewart's vast industry knowledge and varied experience greatly enrich the product strategy and offerings at Paragon.

Gavin Chitticks

Head of IT

Gavin is an expert in the realm of IT within the insurance industry. Beginning as an IT Manager for MRB  (later purchased by Highway Insurance then LV), Gavin was instrumental in creating an EDI system, off-system Motor Insurance Schemes, and pioneering systems that positioned MRB as one of the first to use aggregators.

In his current role at Paragon, Gavin serves as the crucial interface with all major software houses, ensuring seamless planning and integration of new schemes from conception through to implementation.

Further bolstering Gavin's contribution to Paragon is his proficiency in generating data extracts to fulfil the Management Information required by insurers and scheme administrators. His technical expertise and strategic planning skills continue to underpin the efficient functioning of Paragon's systems.

Rhian Burke, ACII Chartered Insurance Practitioner, GDPR-P, C-DPO, CIPP/E

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Head of Compliance

With an insurance lineage tracing back to her family's brokerage at age 12, Rhian brings over three decades of experience spanning insurance brokers, insurers, and wholesale brokers before transitioning into the realm of compliance.

Rhian's professional prowess is backed by impressive credentials. In 2014, she attained her ACII and Chartered Insurance Practitioner status. Following the implementation of GDPR, she acquired the GASQ accredited GDPR-Practitioner qualifications. Further enhancing her authority in data protection, Rhian earned the Certified Data Protection Officer title in 2021, also joining the International Association of Privacy Professionals with her CIPP/(Europe) qualification.

This wealth of experience and strong educational foundation make Rhian a cornerstone of Paragon's compliance operations.

Jordan Barnard, DPhil, MPhil, BSc (Hons)

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Head of Strategy

Jordan, an Oxford-educated Ph.D. economist, excels in deploying experimental quantitative methodologies. His international award-winning research, acclaimed for pioneering financial decision-making models, demonstrates his profound analytical and quantitative acumen.

Professionally, Jordan has orchestrated significant projects with the UNHCR in East Africa and spearheaded a major banking reform affecting 2 million entrepreneurs in Pakistan, showcasing his ability to lead large-scale initiatives with a strategic and analytical approach. His international experience is augmented by strategic training from Harvard Business School and the University of Oxford, providing him with comprehensive insights into financial systems.

At Paragon, Jordan channels his extensive expertise and innovative problem-solving skills to overcome the intricate challenges of the insurance industry. He underscores Paragon's dedication to a data-driven, strategic approach, promising a future of growth and market adaptation under his leadership.