Joanne Francis

Jo is a Partner, Sector Leader and Client Account Manager in Keoghs’ Corporate and Sector Risks Practice. She has 30 years expericnce in the insurance industry, working with a vast range of corporates, insurers and brokers.

Jo has led TPA operations and teams specialising in managing casualty claims from inception to resolution, pre litigation to litigation (if required). She has worked with dozens of corporate clients over the years spanning sectors in Construction, Aviation, Retail, Food & Drink and Transport & Logistics. The work has covered motor and casualty claims, police and criminal aspects, health and safety, operational processes, claims risk management, property damage and recoveries. Jo has represented clients at inquests and done advocacy on road traffic final hearings; as well as covering various interlocutory matters.

At Keoghs, Jo is the Corporate & Sector Risks Sector lead for Construction and Aviation, although working closely with her C&SR partners across the sectors to provide single source solution, minimising risks and controlling insurance claims.

Jo is a leading corporate risks lawyer and handles claims primarily for construction and transport & logistics clients. Notable cases include acting for the coach company at inquest and defending numerous civil claims after it overturned following a collision with an HGV following the driver of the coach having to brake heavily after a young man ran out in front of it on a dual carriageway and committed suicide. She also successfully defended a fatal claim to trial after a 17 year old, pulled under the wheels of a turning bus after running alongside it after it had departed from a bus stop. She supported the client’s driver and senior managers when representing the company at inquest. She is currently representing a construction client in a PTSD claim whilst working in the aftermath of Grenfell; and a logistics company in (initially) a 5 defendant multi-jurisdictional action.

Jo also manages various client accounts, working closely with clients, brokers and insurers to ensure that risks and indemnity spend are kept to a minimum. She is extremely focussed on lessons learned and continuous improvements, whilst being quick to celebrate clients’ successes. She strives to robustly defend cases and fraudulent claims whenever possible; and also looks to maximise arguments of causation and contributory negligence when primary liability may attach.

She is dedicated to her clients and innovative solutions for continuous improvement.