Who We Are
Property Protector was originally developed specifically for the Property Owning clients of East Midlands Property Management & Estate Agent,
C P Walker & Son.
Originally established in 1896 this partnership combines over 125 years’ expertise in property sales, letting, management and insurance.
Property Protector was launched to a wider audience in 2002, to provide a diverse portfolio of Property Owner’s Insurance, supported by a panel of the UK’s leading insurers. The scheme now has over 5000 policyholders throughout the UK.
Our dedicated team of underwriting staff are committed to an extremely high standard of service, working hard to provide property owners with competitively priced premiums.
Keeping an eye on both property and insurance trends, we don’t hesitate in adding to our policies, with an aim of making sure that insurance from Property Protector is really all you need to protect properties.
We constantly review and adapt our products, offering high-quality cover to benefit a vast range of properties and tenants. We regularly add innovative features that work to protect your property, contents, responsibilities and people, all in one go.
Building Our Products
We aim to provide unique, first-rate cover, at Property Protector. That means we’re rarely standing still when it comes to new products and add-ons, as you’ll see from the timeline below.
2008
We introduced Legal Indemnities – now a standard feature of our Residential Premier product at no additional cost. This provides invaluable cover for Defective Title and Restrictive Covenants amongst other title problems.
2010
We added Landlords Legal Solutions cover, providing 24hr Emergency Assistance cover for every Residential property we insure.
2014
The majority of our policies extended to provide cover for the Landlords Liability around legionella, subject to a risk assessment having been completed. This was prior to a new legislation brought later the same year around the deadly disease.
2017
With a dedicated team of underwriting staff committed to the service standards, we work hard to meet the demands of property owning clients, with competitively priced premiums to boot.
That means you have the opportunity to expand the Property Owners arm of your business with the confidence that expert support brings, and we have the pleasure of working alongside you to achieve this.
2018
Change of Senior Management Team lead by Justin Hevness propels Property Protector forward meeting the needs of property dedicated brokers.
2022
Munich Re join our panel of insurers, re-establishing long term relationships between underwriters to accommodate the business our existing partner schemes are not looking to write whether that be residential or commercial risks.
2024
In direct response to feedback, we have invested in technology to change of back office IT and portal trading so our products are now even easier to access, with improved efficiencies and service.
2025
Full Acturis to Acturis integration to come. Watch this space.
Building Up Our Products
Meet Our Team
Business Development
Justin Hevness, Cert CII
Partner
Justin Hevness, Cert CII
Partner
How many years have you worked for the company?
Since 2018 but It’s hard to believe I have been broking for nearly 40 years now! And still love what I do.
What does your day to day look like?
I manage wholesale and retail insurance companies for C P Walker & Son liaising with staff, brokers, insurers and networks. I also oversee compliance and high-level issues and ongoing negotiations with partner insurers.
What are your areas of expertise?
From a general insurance background, I have always had a strong experience and expertise in property insurance, be it commercial, residential, portfolio or complex.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
After all these years in insurance I still get a buzz from it and enjoy the fact that every day is different and there are always surprises around every corner to keep your mind and brain challenged and active. Dealing with brokers and insurers is a specialist area, providing them with a solution and a better service than I have received as a broker over the years is rewarding.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
I would like to be involved in running large music festivals. I have run small music festivals for several years for a charity Farnstock which I am Chair of and can see how on a large scale this could be interesting!
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
I love spending time with my family, children and grandchildren and Buddy the family dog that keeps me company working from home. I like to see the sea, so holidays are important, work hard, holiday hard! I have a passion for music trying to see live music as often as I can and if you fancy a rum, I’m your man!
Find Justin on LinkedIn or contact him via his direct line 0115 957 4766 or email justin@cpwalker.co.uk
Beth Buchholz
Business Development Underwriter
Beth Buchholz
Business Development Underwriter
Beth has worked in insurance since 2014, honing her insurance expertise specialising exclusively with all types of property underwriting. Having joined Property Protector in May 2023, she has been active team player in the existing team, handling renewals and mid-term adjustments. Since October 2024 a new challenging role will bring her into even closer contact with broker partners where she will flourish in helping write business, grow accounts and troubleshoot. Her New Business Development Underwriting role will allow her to make instant decisions using her underwriting skills, trade closer with brokers and be an ambassador for the company.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband and stepson, taking their 3 greyhounds for walks over the woods. She also enjoys watching true crime documentaries, reading thriller books & listening to rock music.
Underwriting
Darren Holmes
Senior Development Underwriter
Darren Holmes
Senior Development Underwriter
Darren is a new business underwriter and also liaises with brokers and insurers with exceptional technical knowledge. Darren is a keen sports fan and is a Leicester City season ticket holder.
Daniel Ford Cert CII
Insurer Relations Lead/Senior Technical Underwriter
Daniel Ford Cert CII
Insurer Relations Lead/Senior Technical Underwriter
Dan is an experienced underwriter who has been with Property Protector since 2005. He is a keen squash player and a follower of Nottingham Forest. Dan enjoys trips to Slovakia with his fiancée.
How many years have you worked for the company?
Since 2005, although I have now worked in the property insurance industry since 2000.
What does your day to day look like?
Every day for me is so different and varied, which I love. You will see me working on handling broker queries, underwriting new business cases, insurer audits and building on insurer relations.
What are your areas of expertise?
I specialise in both commercial and residential property insurance, complex risks, building strong relationships with both insurers and brokers.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that I am constantly challenged. With so many different cases and tasks to focus on, I am never given the chance to get bored.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
I’d be a professional tennis player. Hopefully we can gloss over the fact I am not actually good enough at playing!
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
I really enjoy playing sports like football, tennis and squash, the latter of which I play at least weekly. I also love holidays, spending time with friends and family and taking my dog for a walk, which is much more enjoyable in the summer than winter!
Find Dan on LinkedIn or contact him via his direct line 0115 968 3289 or email Dan@propertyprotector.co.uk
Neil Fowler
Development Underwriter
Neil Fowler
Development Underwriter
How many years have you worked for the company?
I have been with the company since 2010. I can’t believe that next year will mark 30 years of me working insurance!
What does your day to day look like?
I always find the answer to this question hard to put into words. My days and workload are so varied, with a focus on new business underwriting and time working with renewals, adjustments and claims.
What are your areas of expertise?
My area of focus is property owners insurance, which is something I have built on since 2010 with Property Protector. Whether it be residential or commercial, this is something I can help you with.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Due to the nature of my role, I am continually meeting new people. I really enjoy building and nurturing these relationships with our clients and insurer partners.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
If I could do anything else, I would love to live out my childhood dream of becoming an astronaut!
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
Family time is important to me, and I always cherish the time I spend with my two children. I am also really into my sports, especially cricket. Although my playing days are over, I still enjoy watching it when I can. I equally love football and the highs and lows of supporting Derby County!
Find Neil on LinkedIn or contact him via his direct line 0115 968 3287 or email Neil@propertyprotector.co.uk
Craig Rhodes
Existing Underwriting Team Leader
Craig Rhodes
Existing Underwriting Team Leader
Craig’s work involves leading the Existing Business Team with processing renewals, adjustments, claims and new business for the Property Protector-Property Owners scheme.
How many years have you worked for the company?
I joined the company back in 2013, a few years into my journey in the insurance industry. I have spent 20 of those years specialising in property insurance.
What does your day to day look like?
Every day is different in the world of underwriting, however I spend most of my time processing renewals, adjustments, claims and new business for the Property Protector Scheme
What are your areas of expertise?
I would say it’s the intricacies of working in underwriting for the property sector. With each individual policy being so different, you can come to me for both standard and specialist property business? I have expertise in not only standard residential and commercial property owners insurance, but from a broking background and years of experience as an underwriter I have the knowledge and flexibility to consider more complex and difficult to place risks, portfolios, large and unusual risks and have built a strong and understanding rapport with insurance company underwriters.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that every case is so different. I love to be busy, and you rarely get bored here at Property Protector!
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
Easy, a rock star!
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
I am a proud dad of three and love spending time with my children. When I do get some time to myself you can either find me at the gym or listening to rock and metal music!
Find Craig on LinkedIn or contact him via his direct line 0115 957 4764 or email CraigRhodes@propertyprotector.co.uk
Jan Smoothy
Development Underwriter
Jan Smoothy
Development Underwriter
Jan handles renewals for our larger portfolio clients within Property Protector.
How many years have you worked for the company?
Since 2020. Having worked in insurance for over 40 years, Property Protector has been a massive part of my career.
What does your day to day look like?
I love being busy, which comes in handy with this job! Every day is different, where I spend my time dealing with the day-to-day servicing of policies, liaising with brokers and negotiating terms with insurers.
What are your areas of expertise?
I have now spent over 30 years specialising in property insurance, using my experience and expertise with the more complex cases of property owners insurance.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
When I have successfully negotiated terms with insurers and brokers. It is such a rewarding feeling knowing I have achieved the best result for everyone involved. I also love working with the whole team at Property Protector, I couldn’t pick a better group of people to work with every day.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
I would love to work outdoors! I could see myself working as a gardener at The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, one of my favourite holiday destinations. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a visit.
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
One of the favourite parts of my day is when I am out walking with my dog Bracken, whatever the weather! To relax I really enjoy Pilates, spending time gardening and attempting to create my next masterpiece while pastel drawing.
Contact Jan via her direct line 01159 683 296 or email jan@propertyprotector.co.uk
George Farrow
Development Underwriter
George Farrow
Development Underwriter
We have pleasure in introducing you to George Farrow, our Development Underwriter at Property Protector.
How many years have you worked for the company?
I have been working for Property Protector since 2012 and I’ve been within the industry since 2015.
What does your day to day look like?
My day typically looks like dealing with mid-term adjustments and renewal invitations submitted by brokers.
What are your areas of expertise?
I’m an experienced Property Underwriter with good attention to detail.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working with the very supportive team at Property Protector.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
I would be in an electronic music band.
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
I love spending time with my family, socialising with friends and playing sports. I play Football, golf and snooker.
Mel Mills
Development Underwriter
Mel Mills
Development Underwriter
How many years have you worked for the company?
I started working with Property Protector in 2021, who have been such great support for me when joining the world of property insurance.
What does your day to day look like?
I focus on processing renewals, adjustments and working with existing business. I also spend my day speaking to clients, helping with any queries they might have regarding their policy.
What are your areas of expertise?
My skills and experience are within underwriting, processing and underwriting renewals and existing business.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the day-to-day challenges of underwriting policies for our clients. No two days are ever the same, which keeps my brain active! Underwriting combines both maths and detail, which I like. As a Development Underwriter I learn new skills and gain valuable experience each day and am also able to draw on my broad range of experience gained in other industries. Every day is a school day!
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
I would love to have a small holding, where I could keep ducks and grow and sell plants!
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
I enjoy spending time with my family and especially my son, who lives and works in the Netherlands. At the moment he is on secondment to the USA, so I look forward to visiting him there as well! I also enjoy gardening and have a keen interest in history, visiting historic homes & castles.
Amy Harrad
Development Underwriter
Amy Harrad
Development Underwriter
Amy has a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked in the insurance industry since 2002 and specializes in all types of property insurance. Having joined Property Protector in September 2024, she will be underwriting renewals and existing business.
In her spare time, she loves to travel and explore new places with her family, enjoys dining out and trying new cuisines and is well placed in building her own property portfolio.
Operations
Jamie-Leigh Birtley
Operations & Compliance Administrator
Jamie-Leigh Birtley
Operations & Compliance Administrator
How long have you worked for the company?
I am still quite new to the business, joining Property Protector in 2023 and I have loved every minute.
What does your day to day look like?
My role is to oversee Compliance, ensuring all business activity fully complies with FCA regulation and company procedures, whilst also providing administrative support to the Operations department and Insurance Division.
What are your areas of expertise?
Having worked in the industry for many years, I have a wealth of insurance and Compliance experience. I have had roles specialising in Personal Lines, Commercial Insurance, Office Management, Compliance Management and Operations.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Every day is different! I have worked in the industry since 2006 and after all these years I am still continuously learning.
If you didn’t work in insurance, what would you do?
Some people may find the idea of planning a wedding stressful, however since planning my own wedding in 2015, I have often thought about having my own small business in wedding and events management.
When you’re not working, what do you love doing?
Outside of the office I enjoy travelling and spending quality time with my family. We all have a keen interest in football and spend a lot of our spare time and weekends supporting our team home and away.
Find Jamie-Leigh on LinkedIn or contact her via her direct line 0115 957 4784 or email Jamie-Leigh@propertyprotector.co.uk
Esther Fleming
Insurance Division Operations Manager
Esther Fleming
Insurance Division Operations Manager
Esther joined C P Walker & Son in 2019 initially working in our client accounts team having gained prior relevant experience both in the UK and abroad as well as a B.B.A in Management (Hons). Esther’s role has subsequently expanded from processing tenants’ rent payments and accounting to our clients to include additional work with our insurance accounts team. After working her way through various roles she is now the manager of the busy Operations team.
A keen and talented cook, Esther just needs to bring in her goodies to the Office more regularly!
Jane Holmes
Operations/Accounts Administrator
Jane Holmes
Operations/Accounts Administrator
We were delighted to welcome Jane back to the CP Walker Insurance Accounts team in 2020 after a brief hiatus in 2019 following over 15 years of previous outstanding service. Jane has a wealth of both insurance and accounting experience. Jane processes brokers’ accounts, allocates transactions and settles payments to insurers
Maddie Stephens
Administration Assistant
Maddie Stephens
Administration Assistant
Maddie joined our expanding Insurance Division as an administration assistant supporting the Operations team for our Property Protector scheme. With a broad range of experience from different industries she provides support and assistance to our new business team, with care and attention.
Away from work Maddie enjoys working out at the gym, taking long walks with her dog and spending valuable time with her two girls.
Lauren Palmer
Administration Assistant
Lauren Palmer
Administration Assistant
Lauren joined our expanding Insurance Division as an administration assistant supporting the Operations Team for our Property Protector scheme. New to the insurance industry she has a broad range of experience from different industries. She provides support and assistance to our Operations Department and Underwriters, dealing with policy renewals and assisting underwriters with general administration duties with care and attention.
Away from work Lauren enjoys training her dogs and competing with them in various disciplines such as agility and conformation shows. When she is not with her dogs, she has a purpose built gaming room where she can play her favourite horror games!
Georgia Dawson
Operations Administrator
Georgia Dawson
Operations Administrator
Georgia joined our Operations Department in the Insurance Division in 2023 bringing a wealth of insurance and accounts experience.
Georgia has worked in the insurance industry, including property experience, since 1985 and migrated into the world of accounts reconciliation.
Outside of the office she enjoys running, Zumba, Yoga, walking her dog and watching football.
Mick Davis
Operations Consultant
Mick Davis
Operations Consultant
Mick joined CP Walker’s Property Protector Scheme in 2019 initially as Business Development Manager, becoming Operations Manager in 2020. Mick has a wealth of insurance experience having started at Norwich Union in 1974 as a trainee underwriter. Since then, he’s held many roles in underwriting, sales, broking and management at Rotherham Insurance Brokers, NIG, SM Commercial Insurance Brokers and LV. In his current role Mick leads the underwriters responsible for existing business, insurance accounts department and is a member of the insurance senior management team. Mick has a broad range of interests outside of the office enjoying foreign travel, coaching junior hockey and playing the ukulele.
We constantly review and adapt our products, offering high-quality cover to benefit a vast range of properties and tenants. We regularly add innovative features that work to protect your property, contents, responsibilities and people, all in one go.
That means you have the opportunity to expand the Property Owners arm of your business with the confidence that expert support brings, and we have the pleasure of working alongside you to achieve this.