Our People Symbol Our People

An experienced and knowledgeable team.

Our People Symbol

We are a small, dedicated team of multi-disciplinary professionals who pride ourselves on providing an excellent level of customer service to our clients at all times. Our insurance staff have been working with the Catholic Insurance Service Ltd’s clients for many years and so you can rest assured that we understand your insurance needs and we are likely to have dealt with any situation in which you find yourselves many times previously.

As the vast majority of our clients are Catholic organisations and all are insured under the same Scheme policies, we have a detailed knowledge of the insurances we arrange and the organisations with which we work. This is particularly important because understanding the unusual legal structures of Catholic dioceses and religious orders, the unique nature of religious buildings and contents, and the broad range of activities that our clients undertake is essential in providing effective solutions and a high quality of service.

CIS Directors


Kathy Perrin Thumbnail Image

Kathy Perrin

BA (Hons) PGCE (Oxon) PGDL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kathy joined the Catholic Church Insurance Association in 2010 as the Deputy General Manager. She was appointed as General Manager on 1 January 2016 and led the business through incorporation and authorisation by the Financial Conduct Authority in 2017 before being appointed as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the new company, Catholic Insurance Service Ltd.

Kathy is a fully qualified and practicing solicitor. Prior to joining CIS, she was an Associate in the insurance practice group at national law firm, Hill Dickinson LLP.

Willie Hartley Russell Thumbnail Image

Willie Hartley Russell

Willie was appointed as Chairman and Non-Executive Director of CIS Ltd in 2016, and brings a wealth of experience in both governance and investment management (specifically in the charity sector) to the Board. Willie is Director of Client Investments at CCLA.

Willie is Vice Chairman od the National Almshouse Association and Chairman of Donnington Hospital Trust and Jesus Hospital, Bray. He is also a member of the Court of the University of Reading. He was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in The Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2011 and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire in 2016. He is High Sheriff for the Royal County of Berkshire 2021-2022.

Willie has a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Oxford Brookes University and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (ACSI).

Michael Tripp Thumbnail Image

Michael Tripp

Michael is an actuary with over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry, gained both as a senior executive and a consultant. From 2007 to 2013, he was Group Chief Executive Officer of Ecclesiastical Insurance. His main experience is strategic leadership of insurance operations, and he has a particular interest in ERM/Operational Risk. Michael is currently Deputy Chair of the Actuarial Profession’s General Insurance Board.

Michael was appointed by the Board of Catholic Insurance Service Ltd in 2016 and brings significant strategic leadership, governance and board experience to CIS Ltd.

Hugh Davies Thumbnail Image

Hugh Davies

Hugh Davies is a Knight of the Pontifical Order of St Sylvester and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Recently retired as Director of Finance and Development for the Diocese of Northampton and Trustee of the Diocesan Education Trust, a position he held for 10 years, Hugh also has over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry.

Having previously Chaired the Insurance Committee, Hugh was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of CIS Ltd in 2013 and brings his diocesan and property experience to the Board.

Ed Whittaker Thumbnail Image

Ed Whittaker

Ed is the Financial Secretary of the Diocese of Hallam. Before joining the Diocese, Ed had a senior global role specialising in compliance systems in leading blue-chip companies. He also worked extensively with top financial organisations on the early introduction of MiFID.

Ed is one of the most experienced serving Financial Secretaries, having joined the Diocese of Hallam in 2006. He has served as a Trustee of other dioceses and has been seconded to other dioceses to provide support. He is a serving director of Interdiocesan Fuel Management Ltd (IFM).

Fr Thomas Boyle Thumbnail Image

Fr Thomas Boyle

For over 30 years, Fr Tom has been a priest of the Diocese of Paisley. During those years, as well as pastoral responsibilities in various parishes, he has had roles for the Diocese of Paisley and for the Catholic Church nationally in Scotland. In particular, he supported the implementation in the Diocese of Paisley of the new accounting standard set for Charities by the new Scottish charity regulator OSCR. 

Fr Tom was awarded a Master in Business Administration from the Open University in 2013.

In 2016, Fr Tom was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of CIS Ltd., representing the clergy and the Scottish diocesan policyholders.

Paul McCallum Thumbnail Image

Paul McCallum

Paul joined the Archdiocese of Southwark in 2016 as Chief Operating Officer.  He is a qualified accountant and has extensive experience in central and local government. Before joining the Archdiocese, Paul was Director of Financial Transformation at the Metropolitan Police. Paul was a school governor for many years and is currently a Director of Safe Spaces (England & Wales).

Edward Poyser Thumbnail Image

Edward Poyser

Edward qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Edward served as Financial Secretary of the RC Diocese of Nottingham, the first lay appointee to the post, for 13 years until retiring in 2019. This role encompassed a general responsibility for the civil affairs of the Diocese (other than for its Schools’ department), including its insurance arrangements and property. During part of that time, he also served as a Trustee of the Catholic Trust of England and Wales. His work for the Diocese was generously recognised with the award of the Papal Knighthood of St Gregory the Great.’