key contacts
Luci
Mylward
Media Relations
Executive
Luci joined Defaqto in 2006 as a marketing executive and has now
moved over to concentrate solely on PR. Luci previously worked as
news reporter for Mortgage Strategy magazine where she was able to
build relationships with lenders, packagers and brokers. Luci
studied Journalism and PR at the University of Sunderland where she
received a BA (hons) in Journalism Studies, MA in Journalism and
her NCTJ qualifications. She is also CIM qualified. Contact Luci
for media requests, both for one-off and regular contribution
requirements.
Telephone 01844 295509, Mobile 07788 722
690, lmylward@defaqto.com,
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Brian Brown
Head
of Insight
Brian joined Defaqto in November 1998 from Royal & SunAlliance
where for 5 years he was their Market Intelligence Manager. Prior
to that he spent 8 years working for both Royal Insurance and
British Gas as an IT technical consultant. Brian heads Defaqto’s
Insight Team, a group of senior consultants producing reports and
carrying out bespoke consultancy across the financial services
market including the pensions, investment, protection, general
insurance and banking arenas.
Telephone 01844 295414, bbrown@defaqto.com,
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David
Abbis
Principal Consultant – Wealth
Management
Following a career in retail banking, David joined Defaqto in
1997. His main responsibilities involve carrying out bespoke
consultany work on investment orientated products and markets in
addition to the development of the investment and pensions analysis
provided by Defaqto. David oversees the preparation of best advice
product panels and manages the relationships with panel clients.
David qualified as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute
of Bankers in 1972. He represents Defaqto as a member of the ABI
Investment Classification Committee.
Telephone 01844 295 449,
dabbis@defaqto.com,
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David
Black
Principal Consultant -
Banking
David joined Defaqto in May 2004 when Defaqto acquired the
financial research company of Blay’s Guides Ltd where he had 16
years of banking research experience for the majority of which he
was a director. David heads up the Banking research team,
specialising in credit cards, mortgages, savings and unsecured
loans. He is ACII qualified and holds an Honours degree from Exeter
University.
Telephone 01844 295535, dblack@defaqto.com,
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Fraser
Donaldson
Principal Consultant -
Investments
Fraser Donaldson joined Defaqto in November
1994. Prior to joining Defaqto, Fraser worked for national IFA
Towry Law where he was involved in building best advice panels for
investment products and was instrumental in setting up the Towry
Law Discretionary Management Service in partnership with Mercury
Asset Management (now Merrill Lynch). Fraser heads up the
Investment Research Team specialising in Unit Linked Single Premium
product both offshore and onshore, as well as collective investment
schemes both offshore and onshore, as well as their 'wrappers'.
Fraser also helps in the qualitative analysis of industry
investment teams to support our consultancy division.
Telephone 01844 295432, fdonaldson@defaqto.com,
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Ben
Heffer
Principal Consultant – Life &
Protection
Ben graduated from Leeds University in 1984 and, after a spell in
the civil service, entered the financial services industry working
first for Bradford & Bingley Building Society and then at
Countrywide Independent Advisers as a pensions researcher. In April
1994, Ben helped to establish the new company and the launch of the
very first release of Aequos. Initially a pensions specialist, in
the course of his career with Defaqto, Ben has at various times
been involved with annuities, investments, statistics, general
database management and, latterly, the Defaqto Service Project. He
now works in the Insight team with special responsibility for the
life and protection brief.
Telephone 01844 295447, bheffer@defaqto.com,
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Matthew
Ward
Principal Consultant - Pensions and
Investments
Matt joined Defaqto in September 1998 as a
Pensions Researcher after five years building his pensions
experience within the EPP and SSAS departments at AXA Equity &
Law where he undertook various roles. In 2004 he was promoted to
become Head of Pensions, and in September 2006 Matt was promoted to
his current role. Matt’s knowledge of the pensions and investment
market allows him to act as lead consultant in this area, producing
Insight Reports and also bespoke consultancy work to enhance
provider understanding of how to make products reach their target
market position. In recent years Matt’s focus has been heavily
centred on the emerging SIPP and wrap markets where he has become a
respected market analyst, commentator and public speaker.
Telephone 01844 295424, mward@defaqto.com,
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