Senior Leadership Team
Our Senior Leadership Team carries responsibilities for the day-to-day management of CCI’s operations and the implementation of the policies and strategies approved by the board. The team combines decades of experience to provide guidance, make operational decisions, review performance and steer the strategic direction of CCI.
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Farren is the Chief Executive Officer for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI). He has 35 years of experience in the insurance industry and broking across the globe. A diverse career across client roles, client management, risk management and strategy, and a keen eye for business development opportunities have framed his strong leadership experience. Tim is an analytical thinker who oversees operational and functional analysis of risk, product development, pricing, and overall client experience. His expertise supports the work of determining underwriting policy and pricing. Tim has served in roles at Arthur J. Gallagher and Ansvar and brings international insurance acumen to all CCI client segments. He is Chair of Baptcare, a large multi-state not-for-profit residential aged care and community services provider.
GENERAL MANAGER, PEOPLE AND CHANGE
Sally is General Manager, People & Culture for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI). She leads Human Resources, Organisational Development and Change, Payroll Function, and Building Administration. Sally has developed industry knowledge of Employee Relations, Claims Management, Compliance, Change Management and Employee Development over 27 years working in the United Kingdom and Australia. She is responsible for the company-wide advancement of CCI’s core values and the development of its unique culture that prioritises people over profits. Sally determines policies and programs for the professional uplift of competencies such as performance management and learning and development. She oversees the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Policy, leading workplace wellness support for staff through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Sally is a director for the organisation’s charitable foundation CCI Giving.
Chief Risk Officer
Janelle Howell is the Chief Risk Officer for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI). She began her role at CCI in February 2024, bringing extensive experience in governance, risk, and compliance across various sectors, organisational structures, types of risk, jurisdictions, and stakeholders.
With a distinguished career at major organisations such as Lend Lease, Barclays and Allianz in London, and in Australia the National Australia Bank and AMP, Janelle brings a wealth of knowledge in risk management, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. She is recognised for her strategic vision, particularly her focus on enhancing risk culture and governance frameworks, and her ability to lead teams through complex transformations with integrity and clarity.
As community minded person and active volunteer supporting children and young people, Janelle has held several senior positions within Girl Guides in Australia and supports young people in police interviews as part of the Youth Referral and independent Person Program (YRIPP) where a parent or guardian is not able to be present.
Janelle holds a Masters in Risk Management from the City of London Business School, a Diploma of Insurance from the Chartered Institute of Insurance (CII), and several professional certifications, including Senior Associate and Certified Insurance Professional with the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA).
Chief Information Officer
Damien Farrugia is the Chief Information Officer with over 20 years’ international experience spanning several industries. He has developed an acute understanding of how IT can support the achievement of business objectives. Damien knows driving growth is not possible without total alignment of organisational frameworks, systems and processes with business goals. He believes that commercial success can only be achieved by working together as a cohesive team unit.
Positive and highly motivated, he offers broad IT management experience across the field of IT operations, service delivery and project management. Attracted to challenging mandates that position the IT function as an enabler of business success. He is skilled at distilling business objectives into medium to long-term IT strategies, as well as ensuring robust management of BAU operations
Chief Financial Officer
Paul Smith is the Chief Financial Officer for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI). He began his current role at CCI in January 2024.
Paul joined CCI in 2012 and has served in a range of finance leadership roles. He has over 20 years’ experience in the insurance sector and has previously worked in global organisations including Ansvar Insurance, Aspen Re, Ace Tempest Re, Arthur J Gallagher and Marsh & McLennan Companies.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Commerce; Otago University (NZ), is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), and an Associate of the Governance Institute of Australia (GIA).