Emily's qualifications
University of Nottingham
Bachelor of Science (BSc) — Mathematics
Emily Barnett
Insurance and utilities expert
Emily Barnett is a strategic and commercial senior leader with over 15 years of experience across technology, banking and insurance industries.
She has held senior positions at Compare the Market, Plentific, and Zoopla, and built her career within Barclays and Standard Chartered Bank, where she developed deep expertise in corporate financial markets and risk management.
Emily’s areas of expertise include travel insurance, life insurance and health insurance.
Emily's background
"My career has spanned banking, technology and now insurance, with a consistent focus on helping customers. Throughout my career, I have honed my skills in customer strategy, business development and partnership management, ultimately preparing me for my current role leading commercial strategy at Compare the Market.
“Outside of work, I love exploring new cultures through travel and keeping active in my free time."
Emily's goal
"My goal is to make insurance clearer and more accessible for everyone. I want to use my background in financial markets, partnerships, and customer experience to provide trusted guidance that helps people feel confident in their choices."
Emily's experience
Head of Commercial — Home Services at Compare the Market
Emily leads the commercial function for Home Services at Compare the Market. She’s responsible for driving growth and shaping strategic partnerships to enhance consumer choice across our products, including travel, life and health insurance, as well as digital.
Global Head of Partnerships at Plentific
As part of the senior leadership team, Emily developed and executed the global partnership strategy. To enable Plentific’s rapid growth, she built collaborative frameworks to deliver value for customers and partners within a broad digital ecosystem.
Senior Corporate Development Manager at Zoopla
Emily spearheaded mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investments for Zoopla, one of the UK’s leading digital property businesses. She identified, structured and negotiated deals, while monitoring industry trends to inform strategies that would deliver for customers and their needs.
Emily Barnett in the press...
UK Fundraising: ‘Chosen families’ as well as charities being named as life insurance beneficiaries
(March 2026)
"Emily Barnett, Life Insurance expert at Compare the Market, commented on the findings, saying:
“Life insurance should reflect your real-life dynamics, not just a legal definition of a family tree. Whether it’s a partner you aren’t married to, a close friend, or a cause you care about, your policy should protect the people who matter most to you.
“To ensure these nominations are legally binding and your wishes are met, it’s worth considering writing your policy ‘in trust’. A trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to leave assets to your chosen beneficiaries.
“Writing your life insurance in trust also means the proceeds from your policy aren’t counted as part of your estate when you die. As such, they won’t be subject to inheritance tax.
“For unmarried couples, who, unlike married couples or those in a civil partnership, aren’t exempt from inheritance tax, writing your insurance policy in trust is a way to financially protect your partner when you die if they are your chosen beneficiary.”
Today's Wills & Probate: ‘Chosen family’ increasingly nominated for insurance pay outs
(January 2026)
Emily Barnett, life insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Life insurance should reflect your real-life dynamics, not just a legal definition of a family tree. Whether it’s a partner you aren’t married to, a close friend, or a cause you care about, your policy should protect the people who matter most to you.”
MyLondon: 4 UK airports drop-off charges hiked 'already in 2026' full list
(January 2026)
"Emily Barnett, Travel Expert at Compare the Market, said: “With multiple London airports increasing passenger drop-off charges this year, the cost of a holiday before travellers have even reached the terminal is on the rise. For families trying to save some cash by being dropped off by a friend or family member, these fees can quickly add an extra, unexpected expense to an already costly trip. While solo travellers will have to shoulder the cost alone, it’s wise to plan ahead and assess whether an alternative travel option would suit.
“Taking public transport to get to the airport could be more cost effective if flight times and the journey route permit. For some travellers, using Park & Ride services at Heathrow and Gatwick may be more convenient as they offer passengers frequent shuttle buses between terminals and off-airport parking services for free.
“The news of price rises serves as a good reminder for holidaymakers to look for savings on other travel expenses where possible. Booking early could help get a better price, while comparing travel insurance deals and taking a ‘buy when you book’ approach means you’re covered before you even set off should you need to cancel for an unforeseen circumstance. Taking the time to weigh up prices and options could make a real difference to the overall cost of a trip.”
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