Richard Walsh, head of health, Association of British Insurers (ABI) Richard, who took up his current role as head of health at the ABI in June 2001, is responsible for issues relating to health insurance including private medical insurance, term life, critical illness, income protection and long-term care. He also oversees ABI policy on genetics, HIV and terrorism, and is tasked with increasing the role of PMI and protection products in supporting societal needs.

Julie Jenner, director, Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) As a director of the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO), Julie has been actively involved in presenting members' viewpoints to both government and HM Revenue & Customs.

Gillian Hibberd, corporate director, Buckinghamshire County Council Gillian recently joined Buckinghamshire County Council as corporate director (OD and HR) where she is taking lead on a number of major organisational change programmes. Prior to her new role she was assistant director (HR) at Hertfordshire County Council.

Richard Higginson, director, International benefits, GlaxoSmithKline Richard joined GlaxoSmithKline in 1999 as director of international benefits. He provides strategic direction and policy for GSK's reward programmes worldwide.

David Walker, group reward director, Compass GroupEducated in South Africa, David moved to the UK in 1989 where he joined Roux Fine Dining as HR manager. In 1995, he undertook a masters degree in strategic HR management and in that same year joined Compass Group UK as part of a merger between Roux and Compass. Since then, David has worked in a range of HR positions at Compass, before settling in his current role as group reward director.

Janet Cooper, partner, LinklatersJanet has been a partner since 1991 and heads the global employee incentives team of around 70 lawyers at Linklaters. She has been involved in all aspects of international employee and executive share plans, including design and implementation, and advises on the implications for share plans on company mergers and acquisitions.

Mary Giles, head of compensation and benefits, MicrosoftMary worked in several HR generalist and manager roles across Microsoft before deciding to specialise in compensation and benefits. Microsoft won Most Effective Use of a Flexible Benefits Plan at the 2004 Employee Benefits Awards.

Chris Wilson, compensation and benefits director for UK, Ireland and South Africa, Oracle Corporation Chris has been in HR for over 25 years, specialising in compensation and benefits for the last 15 years. He has worked in a range of different industries, including electronics, finance services, oil, and IT. He has particular interest in flexible benefits; new ways of working, including flexible working patterns; new forms of employment contract; and the use of technology to support HR.

Duncan Brown, assistant director general, CIPDDuncan leads the CIPD's research and policy unit. This includes raising the institute's profile and communicating the value of HR to business, the public sector and policy makers. He has also written a number of books including Reward strategies: from intent to impact; A guide to bonus and incentive plans and he co-authored with Michael Armstrong New dimensions in pay management.

Hew Evans, head of compensation and benefits, Sony EricssonWorking in the corporate HR function since the set-up phase of the company, Hew has built and delivered a variety of reward initiatives across the organisation to meet the requirements of profitable growth. Previous roles include HR service centre leader at Sony UK and benefits consultant with Mercer HR Consulting.

Tim Roberts, managing director, Talking PeopleTim has a wealth of knowledge in all areas of employee communication in HR and reward change programmes through his work with clients such as AstraZeneca, Barclays Group, Diageo, JP Morgan Chase, Telewest, the Cabinet Office, the Royal Navy, WH Smith Group and Yorkshire Water. His innovative approach has resulted in a wide range of awards from the communication and pensions industries over the last 14 years, including two Employee Benefits Awards for Barclays' afterwork project in 2004.

Penny Green, president, Pensions Management Institute (PMI)Penny is president of the Pensions Management Institute and sits on the Institute's Council. She was a member of the London region PMI group, holding the posts of treasurer and membership secretary. She is currently chair of the industry-wide Pension Schemes Group and chief executive of the Saul Trustee Company, the non-academic staff pension scheme for the University of London.

Alastair Kendrick, partner, Wilder CoeAlastair is a recognised expert in company car consulting and helps organisations decide on car schemes. He has spent 16 years in the accountancy profession and is a specialist in employment tax service. Now with Wilder Coe Chartered Accountants he leads their employment tax group.

To book a table at the Employee Benefits Awards 2006 visit www.employeebenefits.co.uk/table