John O’Driscoll BSc (Mgmt), FCCA, MBA

Managing Director
Certified Insurance Director

Emma Jones ACII, BA(Hons)

Director – Support Services

Emma is a Director and is one of the founding members of Thomond in 2007. Emma is responsible for Finance and IT and assists in the general management and governance of the company. Emma has a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies and achieved her ACII with the Chartered Insurance Institute in 2005. Emma has 21 years experience in the Insurance Industry and has an extensive knowledge of all areas of the business.

At the weekends, Emma can often be found at a motocross track or mountain bike trail trying to keep up with her husband and son.   In addition, outside of work, Emma also acts as Treasurer to her local church’s youth centre.

Jackie Gray CIP LIB

Product & Market Development Executive

Jackie is the Product & Marketing Development Executive in Thomond having joined the company in 2015.  Jackie has a background in Finance/Insurance having worked in Commercial Lending for 5 years and 19 years in Insurance in various Commercial Underwriting roles.  Jackie holds a membership with the Institute of Bankers for the Joint Financial Services Diploma and is CIP qualified with the Insurance Institute of Ireland.

Jackie likes to spend her free time with family and friends and as she lives close to the River Erne she enjoys the summer months boating with family and friends.

Paula McLoughlin CIP, Bsc (Hons)

Underwriting Team Manager

Paula is the Underwriting Team Manager in Thomond. Paula has extensive experience in Underwriting having worked in Commercial Insurance for 20 years.  Paula has held various roles in Underwriting and brings a wide range of knowledge to the role. Paula is CIP qualified with the Insurance Institute of Ireland.

Outside of work Paula enjoys spending time with her husband & two children, going for walks &  meeting up with friends.

Anita Gallagher CIP, LL.B

Claims Manager

Anita has a background in Law and is a graduate of Queen’s University of Belfast holding a LL.B Hons degree.   Anita also completed a post-graduate course in Management with the University of Ulster and is CIP qualified with the Insurance Institute of Ireland.   Anita has held numerous managerial positions over the years, working in Legal, Claims, Compliance and Risk Management.

Anita  likes to keep fit and enjoys both HIIT and long countryside walks in Co Fermanagh.   Most of Anita’s spare time is spent running around after her two teenage sons and supporting the local GAA teams. Anita is rarely without a book in her hands and she also enjoys sketching.   She is on the Board of Directors of her local Community Group Charity and she isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and get involved in all sorts of community activities.

Joy Ramsey ACII, BA(Hons)

Underwriter

Joy holds the position of Underwriter with Thomond and has been with Thomond for over 13 years.  Prior to that Joy was in the Insurance Industry since 2002 so has over 21 years’ experience in the Insurance Industry.   Joy was awarded first place when completing her DIP CII in 2010 and was awarded the William Dawson Wynne Trophy .  Joy also won the EA Davies & Donald Davies Memorial Award for finishing first place when completing her ACII in 2019 and was awarded this in 2020

In her spare time Joy spends quality time with her children, gardening and visiting the latest art exhibitions.

Lorraine Simpson ACII, CITIP, Bsc(Hons)

Underwriter

Lorraine has been with Thomond for 15 years and holds the position of Underwriter.  Lorraine has a well rounded knowledge of the business having had various roles in Thomond to include Credit Control, Finance and Underwriting.  Lorraine holds the prestigious ACII qualification alongside Emma Jones & Joy Ramsey.   Lorraine was awarded the EA Davies Donald Memorial Award for the highest performing student in the Advanced Diploma in Insurance.

At the weekends, Lorraine can be found on the family farm helping her husband with her three children and also enjoying the occasional family camping trip.  Lorraine is also on the board of directors of  her local crèche.

Emma Martin Dip CII

Underwriter

Emma is part of the Underwriting Team and holds the position of Underwriter for both New Business & Renewals.  Emma has worked in Insurance for over 14 years and is highly knowledgeable in all areas of Commercial Insurance. Emma is CIP qualified with the Insurance Institute of Ireland and also holds a Diploma in Insurance DIP CII through the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Outside of work Emma enjoys spending quality time with her husband, two children and walking the family dog Zeus.

Kim McKenna APA

Underwriter

Kim started in Thomond  on the administration team and supported the Underwriting and Credit Control teams.  In 2021  Kim  joined the underwriting team as a Commercial Underwriter.  Kim has numerous years working in the Insurance Industry in various administrative roles.

At the weekends, Kim enjoys spending quality family time with her husband and 2 boys.

Heather Johnston CIP, Bsc (Hons)

Reporting Analyst

Heather has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Mathematics and joined the Insurance Industry as a Junior Analyst in 2008 after working as a Statistician for a Medical Devices company.  Heather held various analytical roles within Commercial Insurance before moving to Thomond Underwriting in 2013 as a Reporting Analyst where she works closely alongside the Underwriters and Management.

Heather moved to Northern Ireland from England over 12 years ago and she and her husband are enjoying being able to raise their family surrounded by the Fermanagh Lakelands.  Heather also spends some of her spare time volunteering for Homestart Lakeland.

Mark Parkinson CIP

Administrator

Mark is part of the Administration team in Thomond which involves supporting the Underwriting Team on a day-to-day basis as well as responsibility for taking claims notifications. Mark has been with the company for 10 years and has achieved the qualification – Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP) with the Insurance Institute of Ireland.

In his spare time Mark enjoys following Liverpool Football Club.

Killian O’Driscoll APA

Trainee Underwriter

Killian is the newest member of the team having joined us as a trainee underwriter at the end of 2022. He joins us as part of the Insurance Institute of Ireland apprenticeship program. He was a latecomer to insurance, having previously worked in the hospitality industry.   Killian completed his APA in May 2023 and was awarded 2  Certificates of Excellence in his recent APA exams.  This Certificate is  for students who received over 80% in  APA/CIP exams so it’s a great achievement.

Outside of work you will never find Killian far from a sports field, he plays football with his local GAA club and his local soccer club and can also be found having an awful time on the golf course.  Killian is a massive supporter of The Dubs and Shelbourne FC. Music is another of Killian’s passions, he plays guitar and enjoys going to gigs.