| Speaker biographies |
| Sam Adams Former Head of Financial Adviser Services, EMEA, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd Samuel C. Adams is Former Head of Dimensional's financial advisor business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His primary role is to educate advisors on modern portfolio theory, Dimensional's investment philosophy and adviser best practice. Sam has spent nearly 15 years as a Regional Director at Dimensional, working with advisers around the world. Sam has a BA in philosophy from the University of Colorado and an MBA in finance from the University of California, Davis. | |
| Saran Allott-Davey CFP Managing Director & Founder Heron House Financial Management Ltd Saran set up HHFM 18 years ago as a fee based firm in the Welsh Valleys as an antidote to having worked with commission crazed salesmen in the eighties. HHFM is now based in Newport with a happy team of 12 staff and is co-owned and run with Saran's long term business partner Christopher Jordan CFPCM. | |
| Bill Bachrach CEO Bachrach & Associates, Inc. Bill Bachrach is the leading authority in the financial services industry for building high-trust client relationships. Advisers travel from all over the world to be trained in the Values-Based Financial Planning | |
| Simon Barbato Managing Director Mr B & Friends Simon is a brand consultant with over 20 years experience. He has experience in planning and executing brand transformation and creative marketing programmes of all sizes for start-ups through to major international public companies. He founded Mr B & Friends in 2006. | |
| Andy Beswick Intermediary Director, Pensions and Investments Aviva UK&I Life Andy is Intermediary Director, Pensions & Investments at Aviva UK&I Life. He is responsible for intermediary distribution of pensions & investments products, including business development, key account management, technical support and sales. Andy joined Aviva in 1994 and has had a wide range of roles in Distribution including Head of Sales and Head of Key Account Management. | |
| Simon Boulter CFP Director BoulterBowen WealthCare Simon’s role at BoulterBowen is to develop the long term growth strategy and the capabilities needed to achieve that growth. A CFPCM professional and Board member Simon cites his long term involvement in the U.S. Strategic Coach® program as is his greatest source of development. | |
| Simon Chamberlain Group Chief Executive Succession Group Over the last 20 years, Simon Chamberlain has a history of creating capital in advisory firms. He was a founding partner of St James Place Capital, a former Development & Recruitment Director for Zurich in the UK, and the founder of the Thinc Group (now Bluefin). Simon founded Succession in 2009, which today has 50 locations, 500 Financial Planners and Paraplanners, and assets totalling £6.5bn. Succession is now a vertically integrated model, owning its own national advisory business and investment platform. | |
| Gary Dale Head of Intermediary Distribution Investec Structured Products Gary Dale is Head of Intermediary Sales for Investec Structured Products, part of Investec Corporate & Institutional Banking. He joined from Santander Global Banking and Markets, where he headed the intermediary distribution team and specialised in the development of structured investment solutions across the UK and offshore markets | |
| Chris Davies MSc Director Engage Partnership Ltd Chris is passionate about behaviour and relational risk management and as co-founder of Engage Partnership Ltd, who specialise in developing business change strategies incorporating behavioural economics. As a published author with over 22 years of experience in the retail financial sector both in the UK and internationally, plus an MSc in Organisational Psychology, Chris brings diverse and challenging views to businesses | |
| Paul Etheridge FIFP, CFP Chairman The Prestwood Group of Companies Paul is Chairman of the Prestwood Group and has been a fee-based Financial Planner for over 25 years. He looks after 50 affluent clients, is a regular speaker on lifestyle Financial Planning and has received four lifetime achievement awards. He is member No.1 of the IFP and was President for 10 years. Formerly a member of the FSA Smaller Businesses Practitioner Panel and an external examiner for the financial services degree at the University of West of England. | |
| James Featherby Chair Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group James is a corporate lawyer and former partner of Slaughter and May. He is author of "The White Swan Formula: Rebuilding business and finance for the common good " and "Of Markets and Men", both of which call for a reshaping of business and finance. | |
| Donald M. Fraser CFP Media Specialist Capital Asset Management plc A financial life coach to 30 family groups, Don focuses on the media sector, typically production companies, broadcasters and talent. Working with creative personalities makes life more interesting. Don likes to help clients to imagine their future lives and then make sure that it becomes reality. | |
| Bridget Greenwood Director Financial Social Media UK Bridget is a gregarious, happy, problem solving, natural connector who was once told she could "network in a graveyard" and is still unsure about the comment. Previously an IFA herself and immersed in social media Bridget shares with advisers, planners, brokers and providers how to get the most out of social media and attract new clients. | |
| Chris Griffiths Company Director OpenGenius Chris has over 20 years’ experience in leading successful technology based businesses. He founded his first business at the age of 16 and sold his first company at 25. Chris is a best selling author. His most current book 'GRASP the Solution' reached #2 on Amazon.co.uk's overall Business Best Seller list. OpenGenius have been leaders in creativity and innovation for over 40 years. | |
| Philippa Hann Senior Associate Clarke Willmott LLP Philippa is a partner of the enormously successful financial litigation team at national law firm Clarke Willmott. She has been involved in numerous high court litigation during her career, most notably relating to the Equitable Life Annuitants, AIG Premier Access Bonds and, latterly, Interest Rate Swaps. | |
| Cathi Harrison CFP Director/Paraplanner Para-Sols Cathi Harrison is the founder and Director of Para-Sols, one of the UK’s leading outsourced Paraplanning companies. Cathi is both a CFPCM professional and chartered Financial Planner and and has over 10 years financial services experience working with the widest range of advisers and Financial Planners. | |
| Dan Haylett Intermediary Business Development Manager Architas Daniel Haylett joined Architas in 2013 as Intermediary Business Development Manager as part of a new drive to grow its funds across the intermediary market. Over his career Dan has developed strong relationships with advisers working in partnership to support their investment propositions and offering the use of all available tools. | |
| Melony Holman CFP Compliance Consultant Compliance & Training Solutions Ltd Melony has worked in compliance for 16 years and established Compliance & Training Solutions in 2005 to help Financial Planners and advisers meet their regulatory requirements. The firm now looks after financial advisers throughout the UK, many of which are Financial Planning firms. Whilst to many compliance is a dull subject, Melony enjoys the interaction with financial advisers in the ever changing world of finance. Melony is a CFPCM professional and Chartered Financial Planner. | |
| Barry Horner CFP Chief Executive Paradigm Norton Barry Horner is Chief Executive for Paradigm Norton and, together with the 40 strong Paradigm team, has built one of the foremost respected and multi award winning UK Financial Planning practices. He is a past president of the IFP and joined the Financial Planning Standards Board in 2012 for a four year term. In a 2008 survey, Horner was included in the top 20 of ‘The most influential financial advisers in the UK’. | |
| Michelle Hoskin Founder Standards International As the leading expert on ‘Operational Best Practice’ in Financial Planning, Michelle understands the challenges facing many in the profession today. Michelle is well known for her endless enthusiasm and energy, infectious personality and unique outlook on what she describes as a “magical industry”. With over 13 years experience, she is internationally recognised as the font of knowledge and the leading expert in best practice standards of operation. | |
| Neil Jamieson Head of UK & Ireland ETF Securities Neil was previously Director of Marketing and Business Development at Selftrade. Prior to that, his experience includes analyst and programme manager roles at the OECD, International Energy Agency, Sheppards and Chatham House. Neil is a Sloan Fellow from London Business School, and holds degrees from the University of Reading and Johns Hopkins University. Watch an Introduction to commodity ETPs from Neil Jamieson. | |
| Stephen Jones Chief Executive Cooper Parry Wealth Stephen is Chief Executive of 2012 David Norton Award winners Copper Parry Wealth and a partner at Cooper Parry, Mid Tier Firm of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards. | |
| Mike Kellard CEO AXA Wealth Mike Kellard is CEO of AXA Wealth, which includes the Elevate wrap platform, Architas Multi-Manager, AXA Wealth International and AXA Wealth | |
| Jacqueline Lockie FIFP, CFP Head of Training Association of Investment Companies Jacqueline has worked in the financial services sector since 1988 in technical and training roles and also as a Financial Planner. She liaises with various organisations to further their education and examination programmes particularly in relation to Investment Trusts, VCTs and other closed-ended investment companies. | |
| Mark Loosemore Business Development Director IRESS Mark has working implementing IT systems in the Financial Services market for 21 years. He worked for NCR, AT&T and Focus before setting up AT8 Group, a specalist IT/ecommerce consultancy for financial services. In his role at AT8 Mark wrote a weekly technology column for Professional Adviser and appeared regularly on the conference speaking circuit. Mark joined IRESS in November 2011 as part of the UK executive team. | |
| Julie Lord FIFP, CFP Head of Practice Bluefin Julie is on the Senior Management team of Bluefin Personal Consulting having sold her own business in 2007. She is a Past President of the IFP, has chaired the Education committee, judged the Financial Planner of the Year competition and remains committed to advancing the profession of Financial Planning worldwide. | |
| Neil MacGillivray Head of Technical Support The James Hay Partnership As well as managing the Technical Support Unit Neil assists advisers with any technical problems they may encounter on general tax and trust issues. He speaks at conferences throughout the UK on current tax and trust topics and is a regular contributor to the financial press. Neil is the current Honorary Secretary of the Association of Member-Directed Pension Schemes. | |
| Eliza Manningham-Buller DCB Eliza Manningham-Buller headed Britain’s Security Service (MI5) from 2002 to 2007, leading the organisation though substantial change in the wake of 9/11. During her time at the helm MI5 doubled in size, opened eight new offices and altered its approach to the professional development of staff with the establishment of a training academy. Eliza is a cross-bench Peer and a Governor of the Wellcome Trust. | |
| Giles Marriage Director, Institutional Sales & Lymington Office, Thesis Asset Management Giles graduated in Psychology before beginning his career with Cazenove Fund Management where he specialised in Emerging Markets. He has wide experience of portfolio management, and prior to joining Thesis, Giles was advising a high net worth family Trust. Giles runs the Lymington office and also advises institutions on asset allocation and investment selection. Investment experience since 1994. | |
| Pete Matthew CFP Managing Director Jacksons Wealth Management Pete Matthew is well known for having pioneered the use of video marketing at MeaningfulMoney.tv to drive new business at Jacksons Wealth Management. Now he has moved into audio podcasting and the MeaningfulMoney podcast is one of the most popular personal finance podcasts in the UK. | |
| Simon Midgen Index Product Specialist Legal & General Investment Management Simon joined Legal & General Investment Management in February 2012. Previous experience includes Markit, where he was responsible for the commercial development of the iBoxx fixed income indices, MSCI and Morgan Stanley. Simon has an MBA from the Wharton Business School and an MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge. | |
| Derek Mills Derek Mills, AKA as ‘The Standards Guy’, is an international inspirational speaker and mentor. He is author of ‘The 10 Second Philosophy - how to turn your life around from failure to happiness and success’, a uniquely channelled philosophy. He teaches how to connect with one’s TrueSelf to set life ‘Standards’. | |
| Tim Page CFP Director PageRussell Tim is a director of PageRussell an Accredited Financial Planning Firm in Bury St Edmunds, which won the first David Norton ‘building excellence’ Award in 2008. In 2003 and 2004 Tim was a member of the winning team in the IFP’s Team Challenge and has been a CFPCM certification assessor. | |
| Mark Polson Principal the lang cat Mark Polson is founder of the lang cat, a platforms specialist consultancy.The lang cat works with providers and planners to develop and articulate propositions that people without financial services degrees might just understand. Mark is a prolific writer, commentator and public speaker, even when people ask him not to be. | |
| Daniel Priestley Daniel is a best selling author, international speaker and acclaimed entrepreneur. He has built and sold several businesses in the UK, Singapore and Australia. He is also an adviser to several charities. | |
| Daniel Richards Head of Lead Generation Insight Marketing and YourIFAapp.co.uk Daniel specialises in effective sales and marketing. He has presented to thousands of business delegates and has carried out over 1,500 1:1 consultations and coaching sessions. His team grow firms working to a process that makes up Insight Intelligence | |
| Alan Smith Chief Executive Capital Asset Management Alan heads up the team at CAM, a boutique wealth management business. Alan and his team have built a world class advisory practice and have won numerous accolades including the IFP’s David Norton ‘building excellence’ award”, “Investor in Customers” 3 Star (Exceptional) award and the “Professional Adviser” IFA of the Year 2013. Working predominantly with senior city executives and entrepreneurs, the team provides advisory services to around 200 client families representing £182m in assets. | |
| Laura Smith Technical Development Manager M&G Investments Laura joined M&G in 2011 as a technical trainer for both internal training and to provide external education to clients. She holds the Investment Management Certificate, is a CII accredited Financial Planning trainer and is currently studying for her CFA exams. | |
| Liz Smithers Solicitor & Partner Clarke Willmott LLP Liz has been in Private Client practice for more than 29 years and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She specialises in tax effective wills and trusts designed to protect family assets from the effects of divorce, bankruptcy and nursing home fees. Her work includes dealing with estates and trusts for pension death benefits, personal injury awards and disabled beneficiaries. | |
| Justin Urquhart Stewart Marketing Director Seven Investment Management Having trained as a barrister, Justin took up corporate finance and founded Broker Services in 1986 which went on to become Barclays Stockbrokers, where Justin was Corporate Development Director. In early 2001, he co-founded 7IM, an investment management business that innovated the UK investment market and introduced the first Sterling Investment Wrap Account. 7IM manages and administers around £5.2 billion on behalf of professional financial wealth managers and intermediaries. | |
| Sean Weafer Speaker and mentor Seán Weafer is the founder of SalesDojo.com 'black belt selling techniques for small-medium businesses' and author of ‘The High Trust Adviser: How to Build High Trust and High Profits in Business Today’. He works with companies that include Kingston Smith, Grant Thornton, BDO, HSBC and Standard Chartered Private Banks helping them use social intelligence techniques to find and retain high value clients and build compelling client relationships. | |
| Tony Wickenden Joint Managing Director Technical Connection Technical Connection has over 25 years’ experience of delivering technical expertise and support to advisers. Through their knowledge management platform, Techlink Professional, they deliver technical information, interpretation and accredited CPD, together with case related technical support. Tony has for 20 years written the weekly Tax Planning column in Money Marketing and is a regular speaker on the subject. Tony is a Bachelor of Law, a chartered insurer, a trusts and estate practitioner and a Fellow of the Institute of Taxation. | |
| Simon Pym Williamson CFP Director Broadway Financial Planning Simon is one of the most experienced Financial Planners in the country. He is a Past President of the IFP and for many years he was a judge of the prestigious 'Financial Planner of the Year' award and a CFPCM certification assessor. | |
