The Future of Distribution in Financial Services

David Ferguson

Chief Executive, Nucleus Financial Group

Biography

Brought up in sunny Edinburgh, David's first foray into financial services was as a trainee actuary with Life Association of Scotland. Following stints with Ivory & Sime and Scottish Life International, seven years as co-director of financial marketing consultancy The Abacus and a realisation that the industry didn't work very well he set about creating Nucleus, the UK's first and only IFA-controlled wrap platform. Following funding in 2006, Nucleus has established itself as an emerging force in the wrap space and has hopefully made it's mark in terms of

encouraging greater transparency through a period in our industry's history when honesty and accountability have never been more essential. David still lives in Edinburgh where he enjoys dining in, dining out, live music and following the city's mighty Heart of Midlothian FC.

Andrew Fisher

Group Chief Executive, Towry

Biography

Andrew is Chief Executive of Towry, the Wealth Managers, prior to that he was Chief Executive of Cox Insurance Holdings Plc., the Group Chief Executive of Coutts Group the Wealth Management business of Royal Bank of Scotland, incorporating Coutts & Co. Coutts International, Nat West Private Bank, Nat West Stockbrokers and the RBS Private Banks. During his earlier career Andrew was a senior advisor to one of the world's largest private equity group, the Carlyle Group, and a Partner in the Consultancy practice of Coopers and Lybrand. Andrew is deputy Chair of CHASM (Centre for Household Assets and Savings Management) at the University of Birmingham and also on the DAC (Development Advisory Committee) at Birmingham University. He is on the Board of The National Skills Academy for Financial Services and the Finance Governor for Sandhurst School.

Bill Vasilieff

Chief Executive Officer, Novia Financial

Biography

Bill Vasilieff is the Chief Executive Officer and one of the founders of Novia. Prior to setting up Novia he was one of the four founding directors of Selestia where, having joined in 2001, he spent six years in the role of Marketing Director. Selestia was one of the earliest and most successful fund platforms in the UK. Before this role he was at fund manager M&G where he spent eight years, ending in the role as executive director in charge of product development.

Bill has spent most of his career in Marketing but is also an actuary, having qualified in 1986. A keen Bath rugby supporter, Bill resides in the city with his wife and two children.

Mike Kellard

Chief Executive Officer, AXA Wealth

Biography

Mike Kellard is CEO, AXA Wealth. AXA Wealth comprises AXA Distribution Services (home of Elevate, the award-winning wrap platform), Architas Multi-Manager, AXA Winterthur Wealth Management, Bancassurance and AXA Wealth International, including AXA's Isle of Man and Dublin-based operations.

Following AXA's acquisition of the Winterthur Group in 2006, Mike was appointed CEO of AXA's Wealth Management business. At this time he was also appointed to the Executive Committee of AXA UK, a reflection of the strategic importance of his role.

In 1999, Mike joined Winterthur Life as sales director. He subsequently became managing director of Winterthur Life's Professional Advisers Division, where he was responsible for all sales, marketing and administration functions. In 2003, Mike was appointed CEO Winterthur Life UK Ltd.

Mike Kellard has 22 years experience working in the investment and life and pensions markets. He has held a variety of industry positions including head of distribution for Norwich Union.

Mike, who lives in Hampshire, is married with two young sons and enjoys golf, tennis, badminton, skiing and sailing.

Martin Davis

Chief Executive Officer, Openwork

Biography

Openwork is one of the largest financial advisory firms in the UK, with over 2,500 advisers, writing £300 million of premium in 2008. Prior to Openwork Martin was CEO of Zurich Financial Services’s Global Life Emerging Markets businesses, spanning Asia, South America and Middle Eastern markets. Martin also maintained overall responsibility for Zurich International Life, the offshore subsidiary of ZFS, as Chairman. Martin was also a founding Director or Zurich Takaful.

Previously Martin worked as Commercial Director for Sesame Limited, managing over 7,500 IFAs (25 per cent of the UK market). Martin was also a Board Director of Assureweb.

Before joining Sesame, Martin was Executive Vice President, of Corillian International Ltd and spent eight years working in various business management roles for Reuters plc. Martin also served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, reaching the rank of Captain, in many operational theatres including 5 years with Special Forces. Martin is a Non Executive Director of McKinney Rogers International, a leading strategy consultancy.

Ian Taylor

Chief Executive Officer, Transact

Biography

Ian Taylor is the Chief Executive of Transact and has been with the wrap service since its beginnings in 1999. Prior to that he spent seven years in asset management and five in the life industry - in a variety of roles mainly involving marketing, business start-up and and strategic planning.