Clare is Deputy Chair of Convocation, representing the interests of Newcastle University’s 250,000+ alumni community.
She graduated with a BA (Hons) in French with Spanish from Newcastle University in 2004 and subsequently completed a PGCE in 2005.
After a decade teaching, she co-founded Talbot Jones Ltd, a Gateshead-based chartered insurance brokerage, supporting Third Sector organisations and SMEs nationwide. Clare is also Managing Director of Talbot Jones Consultancy, providing risk and governance guidance, primarily to charities and professional bodies.
In 2021 she was awarded a PGCert in Insurance and Risk Management from Birmingham City University and went on to complete a Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship at Northumbria University, gaining an MSc in Strategic Leadership with Chartered Manager status. She is currently completing a Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Diploma in Insurance before hoping to embark on a PhD exploring SME risks.
With an interest in building confidence and resilience, Clare presented a TEDxNewcastleUniversity entitled Pursuing Fearlessness in 2021.
She is a researcher at Durham University, exploring mental health challenges faced by entrepreneurs. She provides weekly business advice to women facing intersectional challenges to develop enterprising ideas with the Millin Charity; trustee of Growing Hope Gateshead, a local charity that provides therapy for children with additional needs and their families; committee member for the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and an active mentor.
Clare was named Rising Star in Insurance in 2019 and won the CII Building Trust in Insurance award in 2021.
She has a particular interest in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, with a focus on gender, disability and neurodivergence.
