History of Omnilife
The business was founded in Cyprus in 1988 as a specialist insurer and moved to the UK in 1994 to provide life assurance protection for UK business employees, commonly known as ‘Group Risk Insurance’. The business soon established a track record as specialist expert in its own field, both in the UK and overseas markets.
In February 2019, following continued success in the UK, the business was acquired by Reinsurance Group of America “RGA”. With the backing of RGA, the business remains today as a specialist insurer, now focused on acquiring and managing the liabilities of closed life insurance portfolios.
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team of industry experts lead the business with oversight by the Board, ensuring it is effectively governed and managed with the care and attention our policyholders expect. Led by CEO Deian Jones, the team is committed to building a trusted, specialist business, based on our knowledge and services excellence. Click below to view the team.
Meet the management team
Deian Jones
Chief Executive Officer
Stephen Grigg
Chief Actuary
Gary Finklestein
Chief Risk Officer
Sam Gunter
Chief Financial Officer
Georgina Shield
Product Governance Manager
Russell Taplin
Business Manager
Nigel Ennis
Head of Compliance
Rupert Webber
Head of Operations
Meet the teams
Deian Jones
Chief Executive Officer
As Chief Executive Officer, Deian’s focus is on developing and growing Omnilife. He brings over 20 years’ experience across the insurance industry, including 15 years at Hodge Life where he held the role of Managing Director responsible for all aspects of developing the business, focussing on product design, customer outcomes and strategy. He previously worked as a Senior Manager at KPMG. Deian is a Chartered Accountant.
Email Deian
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Stephen Grigg
Chief Actuary
As Chief Actuary, Stephen leads a small team responsible for the valuation of Omnilife’s insurance liabilities. and delivering regulatory reporting. He has over 30 years’ experience, across the insurance industry and previously held the role of Chief Actuary at MGM Advantage including responsibility for the Part VII transfer of the insurance business to Canada Life. Previously he spent several years as a senior consultant at Towers Watson (now Willis Towers Watson). Stephen is a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Email Stephen
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Gary Finklestein
Chief Risk Officer
Gary has been with the RGA Group since 2012, and has previously served as Senior Vice President Global Acquisitions (Europe), and also Head of Structuring (EMEA). As Chief Risk Officer of Omnilife, Gary’s focus is to support the execution of the company’s strategy, in line with its risk culture, appetite statements and limits. An actuary with over 30 years of industry experience including a Principal and CEO of Milliman Financial Strategies, and Principal at Ernst & Young, he brings strong technical and risk culture skills to implement risk mitigation solutions for the company.
Email Gary
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Sam Gunter
Chief Financial Officer
As Chief Financial Officer, Sam is responsible for capital planning, investment management, expense control and financial reporting. Sam has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry and previously held the role of Chief Financial Officer at Hodge Life. He has previously worked as principal consultant at PwC and as finance actuary at Bupa Health Assurance. Sam is a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Email Sam
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Georgina Shield
Product Governance Manager
Georgina is a Chartered Marketer with over 22 years' experience in Financial Services. Georgie is responsible for product governance, ensuring we treat all customers fairly, including taking extra care of our more vulnerable customers; and overseeing the development of our customer and marketing communications. Prior to joining Omnilife Georgie worked with Cigna Insurance Services, Legal & General and Barclays. In her spare time, she volunteers as a lead on Nextdoor, a social networking platform for local communities, and is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Freemen’s School Association 2012 charity.
Email Georgina
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Russell Taplin
Business Manager
Russ is an MBA with over 30 years' experience in Financial Services and was appointed as business manager in January 2020, with the responsibility for overseeing the activities which enable us to run the business. Prior to joining Omnilife Russ has worked with Barclays, LV= and in later years his own management consultancy business. Russ also volunteers mentoring small business and start-ups through Virgin StartUp.
Email Russell
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Nigel Ennis
Head of Compliance
Nigel is responsible for oversight of regulatory compliance and ensuring Omnilife conducts its business ethically as well as meeting its regulatory requirements. Nigel is an ACII Chartered Insurer with over 30 years’ experience with leading multinational organisations. He is also the Head of Compliance at RGA International Reinsurance Company dac and RGA UK Services Ltd.
Email Nigel
Telephone: 020 7374 0123
Rupert Webber
Head of Operations
Rupert joined RGA in 2009. He is responsible for ensuring that all Omnilife customers receive outstanding customer service through Omnilife’s third party providers. He also works closely with the rest of the leadership team to ensure that our culture and policies feedthrough to our interaction with policyholders. Prior to joining RGA, Rupert worked part time in financial services whilst also studying for a post graduate degree in Medieval history.
Email Rupert
Telephone: 020 7374 0123