Key media contacts

	Chris Johnston Public Relations Manager
	Chris joined Defaqto in October 1997. Chris previously worked for Lloyds TSB as a financial adviser and had also spent many years in various marketing management positions. Chris is the initial contact for media requests, both for one-off and regular contribution requirements. He is always keen to make contact with journalists new to Defaqto. Telephone: 01844 295454 Mobile 07788 722690 Email cjohnston@defaqto.com
	David Black Head of 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 295454 Email dblack@defaqto.com
	Brian Brown Associate Director - General Insurance
	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 Royal Insurance and British Gas as an IT technical consultant. Brian heads up the General Insurance research team, specialising in household, travel, motor, creditor and small commercial insurance. His team specialises in analysing policies from over 200 insurers. Brian's team have produced a series of industry leading market reports covering Home Insurance, Travel Insurance and Pet Insurance. Telephone: 01844 295454 Email bbrown@defaqto.com
	Fraser Donaldson Head of 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 295454 Email fdonaldson@defaqto.com
	Ben Heffer Associate Director - Service
	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 launch the very first release of Aequos. Initially the pensions specialist, in the course of his career with Defaqto, Ben has at various times also been involved with annuities, investments, statistics and general database management. He now works in the Market Intelligence & Analysis Team (MIAT) with special responsibility for the Defaqto Service Project. Telephone: 01844 295454 Email bheffer@defaqto.com
	Christopher Jones-Warner Associate Director - Investments
	Responsible for the further development and application of Defaqto’s investment research, Christopher has extensive practical and educational knowledge and experience in the investment industry. He was the director of investment management at Bircham Dyson Bell while maintaining a main board directorship of the Association of Solicitor Investment Managers (ASIM). Christopher has held various private client management positions latterly with Quilter Goodison and has educational experience as a lecturer on behalf of a number of City organisations including the Securities and Investment Institute and the Stock Exchange. Telephone: 01844 295454 Email cjones@defaqto.com
	Nick Telfer Head of Life and Protection
	Nick joined Defaqto in December 1996. Nick has 22 years' experience in the financial services industry as an IFA, Company Representative, Broker Consultant, administrator and researcher. Nick's area of speciality is Protection and currently heads up the Life & Protection Research Team. Telephone: 01844 295454 Email ntelfer@defaqto.com
	Matt Ward Head of Pensions
	Matt joined Defaqto in September 1998 after 5 years building his expertise in the EPP/SSAS market with AXA Equity & Law where he worked in various disciplines. On joining Defaqto as a Pensions Researcher he broadened his knowledge of the market before being promoted to Pensions Research Manager and more recently to Head of Pensions. Matt’s understanding of the issues facing providers and IFAs with the pensions market helps him with his responsibility for the development of the Aequos pensions tables as well as producing material such as the SIPP market report to help providers understand what they need to do to make their products reach their target market position. Telephone: 01844 295454 Email mward@defaqto.com