Directors Profiles

Michael A Pettifer

Michael A Pettifer, 56, has been working in insurance for more than 30 years, specialising in the travel and ski sectors. With collective experience of commercial, personal and corporate insurance accounts, and a number of managing and director roles, including Hamilton Barr Insurance Brokers and the Devitt Group.

Michael is a regular mover and shaker within the industry, and is well known throughout AITO and ABTOF circles, both of which have been key clients in Michael’s extensive portfolio. He has also sat on the ATII committee for over 5 years. A ski fanatic, Michael has kept his involvement with the sport throughout his career taking on a number of voluntary roles including Secretary of the Lloyd's Ski Club and Chairman of the Slalom Ball - the Annual British Ski Federation Ball.

After establishing MPI Brokers in 2002 the company has moved from strength to strength becoming a leading name in winter sports insurance, where Michael has been able to hone his expert knowledge of the sector and provide top quality policies on a corporate, commercial and personal level.

Mind The Gap YearTM is Michael’s latest concept in specialist travel insurance and will continue to push the boundaries and improve quality of product and service throughout the industry.

• AITO - Association of Independent Tour Operators
• ABTOF - Association of British Tour Operators to France
• ATII - Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries

Laurie Hopkins

Laurie Hopkins is an impressive MD with extensive experience in leadership and management roles who, after a successful Naval career, has grown a commercial insurance company threefold in five years.

Laurie began his Navy career as Commanding Officer on HMS Appollo, moving to a number of captaincy’s and later to serve on the Ministry of Defence Bosnia Crisis Management Team. He then took on the role of Operations Director for Club Direct Travel Insurance before becoming Managing Director of Inter Group Insurance Services, delivering a turnover of £14m >and profits of £2.5m.

Key clients have included Nat west Bank, Coutts bank, Boots, Virgin and the AA.

Laurie is now back with the Royal Navy where he is Employment Liaison Officer, concentrating his skills on helping Navy leavers back in to civilian work. His role as chairman of Mind The Gap YearTM culminates many years experience in a number of supporting and consultative roles.