Management Team

Ian Darby, Chief Executive

Over the last 3 years Ian has held a variety of industry roles which have included being a non executive director at Sesame Ltd and Chairman of Home Funding Ltd.

Prior to this Ian spent 5 years in a variety of executive roles at Bradford and Bingley, including 2 years as a PLC Director responsible for the Group Commercial functions. In this role he oversaw more than 800 IFAs specialising in financial services and mortgages, and represented the group on the AIFA council. Prior to this Ian spent sixteen years at John Charcol, the leading mortgage broking brand in a variety of roles culminating in Managing Director. He returned to the group between 2005 and 2007 as Chairman.

Dan Saulter, Business Development Director

A founder director of Towergate Financial, Dan is Business Development Director. He has responsibility for Acquisitions, Business Development, Marketing, Platforms, Client Proposition & Investment Proposition.

A Chartered Accountant, Dan trained with KPMG in London working in Consulting & Corporate Finance.

Prior to this Dan worked internationally with Shell and OOCL. Before joining Towergate in 2007 Dan was a Director with Accountants and Advisers PKF, originating and executing corporate transactions across the UK.

Graham Johnston, Compliance & Risk Director

Graham has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry including 12 years in senior compliance and risk management roles.

Graham joined Towergate Financial from Paymentshield, another company within the Towergate Group. Previous roles have included responsibility for compliance, fraud prevention and BASEL operational risk management at Lloyds TSB's mortgage division, Cheltenham and Gloucester. Prior to a compliance role at a major firm of stockbrokers Graham spent the initial eleven years of his career with Eagle Star Life and Pensions, now Zurich Financial Services.

Bryan Parkinson, Regional Managing Director (Scotland)

Bryan has more than 20 years experience in financial services distribution. Prior to joining Towergate Bryan spent 12 years at Standard Life, his most recent role being Chief Executive of Standard Life Client Management, where he had responsibility for both the Wealth Management and Employee Benefits businesses.

Before moving into his current role, Bryan was the Sales & Marketing Director for Towergate Financial and was heavily involved in the creation of the new customer propositions. Bryan is fully AFPC qualified and is responsible for the strategic direction of the Scotland businesses.

Simon Jones, Regional Managing Director (North)

Previously a Director of National Accounts for Flemings, and previously Pension Manager with KPMG in Manchester. Simon was previously Managing Director of Paramount Group Limited, a large independent financial services company, which was acquired by Towergate Financial in 2008.

Simon is fully AFPC qualified and is responsible for the strategic direction of Towergate Financial in the North of England.

Garry Guest, Regional Managing Director (West)

Garry has over 35 years experience in financial services, having worked in Bank Assurance before entering the IFA world in 1999. Previously Garry was Director of a GI and FS business operating from Warwick which was acquired by Towergate.

Garry is responsible for the strategic direction of Towergate Financial in the West of England.