Meet our 'On Farm' Insurance Team

	Nigel Wellings - Managing Director A graduate of the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester and from a farming family, Nigel spent a couple of years in farm management post college, he then went on to work in Farm Insurance for seven years prior to setting up Farmers and Mercantile in 1996. Nigel is married with two children and living in Northamptonshire. Hobbies and interests include; cricket, agriculture and the countryside, food and wine, music and travel.
	Tim Harris - Insurance Broker Northamptonshire branch Tim joined Farmers and Mercantile in April 2003 and advises existing and new clients on their insurance needs together with providing farmers with the opportunity to benefit from insurance quotations that are designed to encompass their Business and Personal requirements. Tim started his career in 1992 as Group Secretary for the Chelmsford, Maldon & Southminster Branches, based in Chelmsford, Essex.
	Tom Forster - Branch Manager Northamptonshire branch Tom has nearly 20 years experience in the broking market and looks after a portfolio of farm and commercial business. Tom has a rural and equestrian background as he and his wife own and run a stud farm.
	Stuart Haycock - Insurance Broker Northamptonshire branch Goodbye Stuart - It is with heartfelt joy and sadness that we wish Stuart well in his chosen path to move to France and farm in the Limousin, we know that Stuart is realising a dream! Stuart has been with F&M for 13 years and will be missed by all of us. Good luck from everyone at Farmers & Mercantile.
	Tony Allanson - Branch Manager Yorkshire branch Tony is the son of a farmer and has lived all his life in his native North Yorkshire. He is married with 2 children and has worked in insurance since leaving school. For the last 15 years has been advising Farmers and Rural Businesses as an insurance broker since 1994. Tony has a keen interest in motorsport, travel and the countryside
	Linda Davy - Insurance Broker Yorkshire branch Linda was born in the North but moved to Kent with her family when she was young, moving back to Yorkshire in 1995. She started her insurance career in 1987 in an agricultural department on a graduate training programme. Since then Linda spent 13 years as a loss adjuster specialising in agricultural claims and finally moved back into agricultural broking in 2003. Linda lives in a small farm dominated village near Easingwold North Yorkshire and enjoys gardening, walking, fine wines and travel.
	Matt McWhirter - Branch Manager Ayrshire branch Qualified from Auchincruive Agricultural College. Matt has now over 20 years experience in the specialist insurance market having established and developed Farmdirect Insurance Services which merged with Farmers & Mercantile in 2008. Matt has a specific interest in the pedigree livestock insurance industry. His additional interests include Oil painting and drawing, holistic health (working locally at Ayrshire hospice) and self development.
	Joyce Lawson - Consultant Ludlow branch Joyce commenced her career in farm insurance on 4th April 1974; this was the start of a very successful career, currently spanning 34 years. Joyce attends the local Ludlow, Brecon, Worcester, Knighton and Kington markets to offer support and advice to Farmers and Mercantile clients.
	Jonathan Guest - Branch Manager Ludlow branch Jon is married to a farmer's daughter and has a young family. He will be known to many within the farming community around Shropshire and Herefordshire. Outside of work Jon spends his time on the family farm with his wife and daughter or on the golf course at Bridgnorth, where he has been a member for 13 years and is captain of the handicap league team.
	Alec Bond - Insurance Broker Ludlow branch Alec joined the Farmers and Mercantile on-farm broking team when he decided to uproot from the family agricultural and horticultural machinery business into a career in farm insurance.
	Georgie Spencer - Insurance Broker Sywell branch A Farmer and Timber Merchant’s daughter from Northamptonshire Georgie started her career in farm insurance back in 1999 before joining Farmers & Mercantile in 2006. Interests include Agriculture, Country Sports and the countryside.
	Richard Beechener - Insurance Broker Sywell branch Richard graduated from Reading university in the early 80’s. Having then worked on the family farm and spending time in Saudi Arabia he joined the NFU in 1990. After 18 years he left to return to his farm and established a composting company. He joined F&M in January 2009 as an experienced farm insurance consultant. He is married with 2 daughters and when time allows enjoys hockey and travel.
	Keith Short - Machinery Engineering Inspector Sywell branch Keith is a farmer’s son from Northamptonshire. Keith, having spent 20 years in the machinery agricultural trade, is known to many farmers throughout Northamptonshire and Leicestershire. Keith is fully hands on and manages the engineering inspection division at Farmers & Mercantile covering England, Scotland and Wales. Keith lives in Northamptonshire with his partner and two children. Interests include agriculture and the countryside, travel, DIY, gardening and theatre.
	Helen Skinner - Insurance Broker Ayrshire branch Helen started working in commercial and farm insurance almost 20 years ago in Aberdeen, today specialising as an on-farm broker for farmers and mercantile. Helen is married with 2 daughters and in her spare time likes to travel, go shopping and socialise.
	Caroline Startin - Insurance Broker Sywell branch A farmer's daughter, Caroline began her insurance career as a Group Secretary in 1980 and then moved into insurance broking for agricultural, horticultural and commercial businesses. When not working she can usually be found near to horses, whether it be following hounds on her own horse, or watching National Hunt racing or point to pointing.
	Maggie Lloyd - Account Handler Ludlow Branch From a farming family, Maggie has been working in Ludlow for Farmers & Mercantile since the beginning - providing client advice & service for over 7 years. With a passion for country pursuits and 8 dogs, Maggie also helps run the Keep at the Winterburn Shoot with her husband Chris.
	Ed Davey - Insurance Broker Yorkshire Branch Ed lives in North Lincolnshire where he lives and farms in partnership with his family. Educated in Yorkshire and qualified at Harper Adams, his passion for farming has fuelled a keen and active interest in the industry and its environment throughout his career. By combining 25 years of farming with several years of experience in the agricultural insurance industry, Ed has developed a unique understanding of farming business and farm insurance. Such broad and detailed knowledge along with firsthand experiences of both on a day to day basis, places Ed in an ideal position to help and advise you.
	Marina Ashton-Evans - Insurance Broker Ludlow branch After studying Horticulture, Marina went on to work in farm insurance for 15 years with the NFU. Following this, Marina joined F&M at the Ludlow office in 2008. She is now one of our on-farm insurance experts. In her spare time Marina enjoys gardening and trips to France with husband Paul who also works at the Ludlow office.
	Matthew Williamson - Insurance Broker Ludlow branch Matt is an experienced broker starting his insurance career at the age of 18...but we’re not counting the years! Since 2007 Matt has specialised in Farm Insurance and is proud to be one of F&M’s highly experienced and qualified staff members. When not at work Matt enjoys exploring the hills and mountains of the U.K and spending time with his family.
	William McGill - Insurance Broker Ayrshire branch William originates from a livestock farm in Ayrshire. He was educated in Glasgow and gained a degree in agriculture from SAC Auchincruive. He has travelled extensively and worked on livestock and arable farms in Australia and New Zealand. William has also experienced working in arable and vegetable production in East Anglia. As well as enjoying time with his family, William's main interests include snowboarding, food, travel and gardening.
	Mick Hodgson - Insurance Broker Yorkshire branch Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, Mick worked in Doncaster in the 1980’s and moved to Weardale in 1982. Married with two sons, Mick enjoys DIY, landscaping, walking, mountain biking, he says “I have done a lot of sailing dinghy racing and along with my sons ran a Mini Seven race car team, youngest son drove: eldest son, me and numerous others put it back together again.” Mick has worked in farm insurance for 31 years providing a top class service.
	David Maddick - Insurance Consultant Yorkshire branch David lives in Durham, his Interest in farming began whilst working on a 600 acre dairy/arable farm in Staffordshire whilst at school and college before acquiring a BA Hons Economics at York University. David’s career in farm insurance spans 33 years, 7 years in the West Midlands and 26 years in Durham with NFUM. Interests include shooting, fly fishing, qualified rugby coach and referee (although now retired!).
	Henry Worthy - Insurance Broker Northamptonshire branch Henry joined Farmers & Mercantile in 1999 and is well known to our clients. Formally Head of Insurance at Sotheby’s, Henry has vast amounts of experience dealing with major clients and Insurers. His attention to every detail combined with a wealth of knowledge makes Henry a superb choice to oversee your insurances. Henry is married to Ann and has 3 daughters. Henry's varied interests include Mercers Livery Company, theatre, country pursuits, Northampton Saints rugby, cricket, food & wine - not necessarily in that order!

Home

Why F & M

Office Locations

On Farm Team

Contact F & M

Meet our 'On Farm' Insurance Team