Meet the team
Mark Knight – Co-Founder & Director
Mark is the driving force behind EBS having jointly-founded the business in 1988. He is a qualified Financial Adviser and is still dealing with a large number of clients from those original days. Outside of EBS Mark enjoys restoring property and cars – his most recent project was an Austin Morris Pickup, although he denies that he is now living in this for tax purposes.
Chris Hockin – Director
Chris has been advising both corporate & private clients for EBS since 1995 and his industry experience goes back to 1983. Chris holds the Financial Planning Certificate as well as further qualifications in Pensions Planning and the ultimate oxymoron – Pensions Simplification! Chris’ most recent success was the brand new paper on ‘Financial Services Practice’ which means that he is one further pass away from completing the Diploma in Financial Planning. When not studying Chris fills his leisure time playing squash, watching live comedy and Watford Football Club – he assures us that the last two are not the same thing!
Matthew Wright – Director
Matthew joined EBS in 1997 following a 14 year career with Nat West where he moved into a financial advisory role having initially worked in the branch network. Matthew advises both corporate and private clients and consequently holds a range of qualifications: the Financial Planning Certificate and advanced papers in Investments and Pensions. In 2009 Matthew has already passed both the ‘Personal Taxation’ and ‘Group Risks’ examinations & is now only one paper away from completing the Diploma in Financial Planning. Matthew is a life-long Chelsea supporter and is also a keen cricketer. Those interests extend to his two children who between them play football, cricket, rugby, netball & tag rugby. Future interests will no doubt include DIY as Matthew is currently in the process of renovating a property which dates back to 1893. That’s when the house was built, not when he started the project.
Miles Burr – Director
Miles joined EBS in 2000 and works mainly in the pensions arena, both corporate and individual. Prior to joining EBS Miles was a Financial Planning Manager with NatWest, advising both individual and corporate clients.
In addition to holding the Financial Planning Certificate, Miles has completed the CII Pension Funding Options & Pension Retirement Options exams and is on track to complete the Diploma in Financial Planning this year. As he lives closest to our office, Miles also has the unenviable pleasure of acting as our Head of Security, responding to any out of hours alarm calls (and keeping our neighbours happy). To blow the cobwebs away, Miles likes nothing better than to escape on his motorbike and enjoys the occasional Track-day (he hasn’t had to call on his Private Medical Insurance yet!!). He is also a keen MotoGP fan - if only he was as talented as Valentino……
Jonathan Walsh – Managing Director
Jonathan joined EBS in June 2008 so is very much the newest member of the team. Prior to EBS he worked for 22 years at Friends Provident, the final ten years of which were in sales/branch management. Jonathan holds both the Certificate & Diploma in Financial Planning including specialist papers in Taxation & Trusts as well as pensions, investment, mortgage and long term care qualifications. Key interests include watching Reading FC which he has done since the mid-80s and music. Jonathan has played the drums since schooldays but has recently switched his allegiance to the guitar much to the relief of his neighbours.
Hilary Willoughby – Associate Director
Hilary joined EBS in 1995 having worked as a Building Society Manager prior to joining an IFA. She politely describes her role as ‘multifunctional’ having responsibility for all non-advisory staff and the general smooth-running of our office, as well as managing our clients’ risk benefit schemes. Outside of EBS Hilary enjoys both theatre & the bright lights of London as well as time on her allotment – so far she has managed to not get the two dress codes confused!
Steve Randall – IFA & Pension Transfer Specialist
Steve has over 20 years experience as an IFA and is still looking after clients he first met in 1988. He holds both the Certificate & Diploma in Financial Planning which includes modules enabling him to offer specialist pension transfer advice as well as qualifications in investment, long term care and most recently Group Risks. Steve describes himself as a ‘total petrolhead’ and has recently added to his fleet of TVRs with a 1996 Griffith 500. As a father of 4 Steve operates his poorly-paid taxi business in his spare time and devotes what little time is left over to playing racquet sports and attempting to emulate Jamie Oliver in the kitchen. Rumour has it that Jamie’s pensions knowledge currently beats Steve’s culinary skills…
David Welch – Mortgage Specialist
Dave has worked as a specialist mortgage consultant at EBS for 6 years and prior to that he undertook a similar role at the Halifax. In addition to the Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice, Dave also holds specialist qualifications in Lifetime Mortgages and Home Reversion Schemes (which includes Equity Release). He has recently passed the CII’s examination on ‘Financial Protection’ which compliments his mortgage work. A keen West Ham fan and sportsman, Dave regularly plays squash and holds a brown belt in karate, which despite the current mortgage climate, he has not yet had to utilise in the workplace.
