Why Keystone
Keystone believes that to be successful there needs to be a true understanding of customers. We strive to be known as Thinking Underwriters who listen intently to the needs of clients. The aim is to offer insurance solutions and business partnerships unmatched in today’s marketplace through deep-rooted principles of outstanding service, quality products and exceptional security.
Keystone’s Story
Three well-respected insurance professionals Neil Sheppard, David Jones and John King founded Keystone. Each has over 20 years’ experience in the Australian insurance market and all have spent a considerable amount of their careers in well-known international insurance houses. Time had come to build a business based on common principles that are close to their hearts.Values
Approach
Lloyd's
Keystone proudly underwrites exclusively on behalf of certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, click here to learn more about Lloyd’s.
We are a proud member of the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC).
Meet the team
Neil Sheppard
Managing Director
Neil has over 25 years’ underwriting experience. He has worked at traditional insurers and at a Lloyds Coverholder. Previous roles at Royal and Sun Alliance, CGU, and more senior management at AIG, ACE and ProRisk have given Neil strong underwriting experience across multiple classes of insurance including:
- Professional Indemnity
- Medical Malpractice
- Directors and Officers
- Management Liability
- Association Liability
- Financial Institutions
- General Liability
- Property
- Accident and Sickness
- Affinity
Neil has interests in running, gardening and enjoying time with his family.
David Jones
Director
David has over 20 years’ experience in both banking and insurance markets. Previous positions with Credit Suisse First Boston, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Chubb, AXIS and Talbot (Lloyd’s Syndicate 1183) have given David strong underwriting experience across different products and classes including:
- Financial Institutions Professional Indemnity
- Financial Institutions Crime
- Directors and Officers
- Investment Managers’ Insurance
- Private Equity and Venture Capital
- Securities Brokers
- Corporate Advisers
- Trustees Liability
David has interests in all aspects of sport, particularly his beloved Geelong football club. Other interests include travelling, foreign affairs, comedy and spending time with his family.
John King
Director
John commenced his career with Marsh in 1981 and after a thorough cadetship, joined the fast-emerging financial lines team. The next opportunity was a senior role at ACE in the financial lines area. Over the coming years this role expanded to managing financial lines portfolios and teams throughout the Asia Pacific.
John has held senior management positions at both Dual and Berkley Insurance Australia in more recent years. His comprehensive experience covers multiple classes of insurance including:
- Professional Indemnity
- Medical Malpractice
- Directors and Officers
- Management Liability
- Association Liability
John has interests in football, snow skiing, paddle boarding, pilates, exploring new restaurants and having fun with his family.
Felicity Sheppard
Underwriter
Felicity has had a varied working career to-date beginning with a para-legal administration role in conservation, then working for Norwich Union Navigator (later Aviva Ltd) as an IT Project Coordinator and Business Analyst. 2005 marked the start of a family of three boys, moving to Sydney for a few years and returning to Melbourne full time in 2008. She took the opportunity to learn about underwriting and now manages an extensive range of specie insurance products:
- Private Fine Art Collections
- Corporate Fine Art Collections
- Private Jewellery Collections
- Private Vault Storage
- Wine Collections
- Numismatic and Philatelic Collections
- Bullion
- Transit and Storage of collections
- Art and Antique Dealers and Galleries
- Museums
- Jewellers’ Block
- Exhibitions (commercial and private collections)
Felicity has a long-held interest in art and the world of collectibles and finds her work fascinating. Family life is a keen focus and pleasure. She also enjoys time in the garden and a good book.
Suzanne Knight
Finance
Suzanne has solid experience in finance roles across various industries. In 2008 she joined a large insurance firm to take care of both broking and underwriting finance.
After taking a break in 2012 to start a family, she now handles all finance matters for Keystone.
Jon Willmott
Director
Jon has over 20 years’ experience working in various roles across both the UK and Australian insurance markets. During his time in London, Jon learnt his trade whilst working at the Lloyd’s syndicate Beazley before moving to Australia with his family in 2008. He has since held senior positions for Lloyd’s Coverholders, traditional insurers and large global broking houses across both Melbourne and Sydney including ProRisk, Berkley Australia and Willis Towers Watson. This has provided him with a well balanced knowledge across multiple classes of insurance including;
- Professional Indemnity
- Medical Malpractice
- Directors and Officers
- Management Liability
- Association Liability
- General Liability
- Property
- Accident and Sickness
- Affinity
Jon loves all sports especially the EPL where he follows the mighty Gunners. He also enjoys spending time with his growing family and walking his dog, Tess along the local beach.
Kaleb Forster
Underwriting Assistant
Kaleb is a recent university graduate with a bachelor of Business majoring in Finance and Economics. Joining Keystone directly from university has exposed Kaleb to many different insurance products.
Keystone’s broad product offering has allowed him to learn about financial lines, general lines and specie from the ground up.
Ben Gray
Administration Assistant
Ben recently completed his Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance at Monash University.
He is a passionate equities investor, golfer and ‘die hard’ Carlton supporter.
Robyn Simper
Marketing
Robyn has over 15 years marketing experience specialising in digital and brand marketing. Over her career, she has worked in strategic marketing management roles with brands such as Flight Centre, Harrods, Just Group and Priceline Pharmacy helping them navigate the digital landscape, building customer connections, and setting them up for successful ecommerce trading.
Robyn has recently joined the Keystone team to look after marketing.