Ross Liston
CEO M&G Wealth Advice
Ross is responsible for shaping and leading M&G’s wealth strategy for growth in the wealth advice market.
With nearly 30 years in financial services, Ross is passionate about the advice sector and the role of advice in society. He believes the Academy plays a critical part in developing a new wave of talent, while making the profession more sustainable for the future.
Matthew Ings
Head of Academy
Matthew is responsible for the growth and development of the M&G Wealth Advice Academy as it continues to grow to support more people transitioning into the financial advice profession. He's a Chartered Financial Planner, and Fellow of the PFS, with over 20 years wealth management experience across a range of roles including advising, training, and management.
Jack Kennedy
Recruitment manager
Jack is an experienced financial adviser and business owner, which enables him to understand what's required to be a successful candidate.
His role is to initiate conversations around what the Academy has to offer and the options for when you're qualified. He takes candidates through the recruitment process and is ever present through the Academy journey.
Operations managers and co-ordinators
Avril Dallas
Avril and Nicola’s roles are to manage and coordinate all activities involved in the running of the Academy from onboarding and exam resits, through to you leaving the Academy as an experienced adviser; both will be the primary contact for general Academy enquiries throughout the duration of the programme.
Nicola Carr
Avril and Nicola’s roles are to manage and coordinate all activities involved in the running of the Academy from onboarding and exam resits, through to you leaving the Academy as an experienced adviser; both will be the primary contact for general Academy enquiries throughout the duration of the programme.
Training managers
Kenneth O’Donnell
Kenny is responsible for developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Academy delegates, enabling them to become highly skilled financial planning professionals. Kenny delivers our Stage 1, 2 and 3 technical and soft skills training that supports delegates to achieve their Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning qualification.
Brian Tiernan
Brian focuses on training design, delivery and support for Term 2 and beyond, ensuring that our delegates achieve their full potential. With over 25 years’ experience in training and development, Brian is passionate about supporting our aspiring advisers to succeed, by ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills to provide their customers with client-centric, holistic advice.
Supervisors and coaches
Colin Greacen
Colin’s primary role is to develop the advisers who come out of the Academy through appropriate training and development until they reach the point where they achieve Competent Adviser Status.. This includes observing meetings, delivering training, coaching and managing key performance indicators. Colin has been providing financial advice to clients for 30 years, formerly a financial adviser with M&G Wealth Advice.
Stephanie Fox
Stephanie has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, providing financial advice to clients and training financial advisers. Stephanie’s role is to support the development of advisers within the Academy, from their initial client meetings, through to achieving Competent Adviser Status and beyond. This support includes observing client meetings, monitoring key performance indicators and ongoing development and coaching conversations.
Steve Fry
Steve has over 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. 15 years as a financial adviser and, most recently, 16years as a sales manager. Steve’s primary role is to develop the advisers who come out of the Academy, through appropriate training and development until they reach the point where they achieve Competent Adviser Status. This includes providing support, observing meetings, and developing skills to help the advisers be the best they can in front their clients.
Diane Falconer
Diane has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. During this time, she's worked in a variety of roles including financial adviser, regional sales manager and key project and change management roles. Diane is passionate about developing advisers to provide the best customer outcome and experience. Her primary role is to support and develop advisers who come out of the Academy, through appropriate training and development until they reach the point where they achieve Competent Adviser Status. This includes providing support, observing meetings, and developing skills to help the advisers to be their 'best self' in front of their clients.
Next steps
About us
We use all of our established business knowledge, experience and expertise to help our advisers.
Why should I join?
If you don’t already work within financial services, the Academy could be your foot in the door.