Our Team
Tim O'Connor
Managing Director and Wealth Manager
Tim is a highly experienced business leader having spent more than 20 years in the wealth-management industry, with a CV that covers a wide range of business channels both in the UK and offshore. He is a Principal and Co-founder of The Private Investment Office.
Tim has worked for a variety of blue-chip institutions and in particular held senior positions at Barclays Wealth and UBS Wealth Management.
Tim is qualified across a number of disciplines and holds both the CFA Investment Management Certificate and Advanced Financial Planning Certificate, as well as various leadership, banking and stockbroking qualifications. He is also an accredited Six Sigma practitioner and a partner and co-founder of StratEx Partners LLP.
Stefano Del Federico
Chartered FCSI
Chartered Wealth Manager
Stefano is an innovative and experienced business leader who has devised and created ground breaking divisions within large financial institutions. He has been at the forefront of the wealth management industry for more than 25 years and held senior positions with Santander and Société Générale, and more recently was Managing Director of Aspinalls, the Mayfair family office.
He is a Co-founder of The Private Investment Office and is also a Chartered Wealth Manager.
Stefano holds a merit pass from the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment for the Private Client Investment Advice and Management exam, which gives him great insight to the complexities of providing a truly integrated financial-planning and wealth management service.
Stefano is also a co-founder of StratEx Partners LLP, providing business consultancy services to SME and family owned businesses. Stefano has acted as an external panelist for the University of Sunderland’s London Campus, Business Experiential Learning Course, critiquing and providing insight to Undergraduate and post-graduates undertaking MBA and business-related courses.
Ian Pigney
Chief Operating Officer
Ian has been working in senior technology and change roles in the financial services sector for more than 25 years. With experience in many of the large private banks he brings a deep understanding of the impact technology can have on the customer journey and the operational efficiency of an investment firm.
Ian has worked with Tim in several firms over the past 15 years as they honed the vision for a top class, full-service investment offering.
His role at The Private Investment Office is to ensure that the firm continues to improve its effectiveness through the implementation of leading processes and technologies.
Chris Darbyshire
Chief Investment Officer
Chris is our Chief Investment Officer and is responsible for all aspects of the investment process and function.
He has specialised in strategic asset allocation, tactical asset allocation and security-selection for over a decade, principally at Seven Investment Management where - as Chief Investment Officer - he led a team pioneering the use of low-cost, passive investments in multi-asset portfolios.
Latterly he was also the Chief Investment Officer at Walker Crips Group PLC, where he also shared management responsibility for the investment management division.
Prior to his career as a CIO, Chris worked in investment banking, specialising in structured products at Goldman Sachs and BNP Paribas. While at BNP Paribas, Chris also led the bank’s equity research team for the media industry. Chris is a graduate of Oxford University.
Neil Jones
Head of Wealth Planning
Neil joined TPIO in 2021 as our Head of Wealth Planning, managing and developing our technical resource, advice standards working across different areas of the business.
He has over 30 years’ experience of financial services, having worked for adviser firms and product providers in a variety of different roles. These have focused on numerous areas including UK and international wealth management, tax and estate planning, family offices and retirement strategies. He also has experience developing commercial and marketing strategies, product development and identifying opportunities to improve customer outcomes.
His knowledge of the UK and international markets, and experience of both adviser and provider markets allows him to understand the issues and synergies facing both institutional and retail clients along with the family office community and has commented in the media on these subjects.
Matthew Brown
Head of Business Services
As the Head of Business Services at The Private Investment Office, Matt brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team. Having previously worked at a Top 100 IFA firm in London’s West End, Matt's journey with our company began in its very infancy, and he has been instrumental in shaping our commitment to delivering unparalleled client service and communication.
With a Level 4 qualification, Matt possesses an extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of wealth planning including investments, pensions, tax planning, protection, and mortgages, in addition to the other intricate nuances of the financial industry. His dedication to staying at the forefront of industry trends and system-based knowledge, often working in parallel with other client appointed professionals to ensure that our clients receive the highest standard of care and advice.
He has attained many industry qualifications and holds the Diploma in Financial Planning and Advanced Mortgage advice. Matt has a wealth of experience in providing wide ranging and holistic support services to Wealth Managers, as well as implementing operational efficiencies, processes, and strategic planning throughout the business.
Samantha Wilks
Head of Finance
Samantha brings more than 20 years experience, working as an FCCA accountant in a variety of roles within the financial services industry, not for profit/charity sector and public sector (Education). She has worked in a cross section of different businesses and cultures - from small companies to large multinational plc's, reporting and working to strategic/board level.
Gabriela Silion
Head of Risk & Compliance
Gabriela is a highly experienced Risk & Compliance specialist with over 25 years in the Financial Services sector. She holds a Diploma in Financial Planning and a Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice from the Chartered Insurance Institute, and has completed courses in Combating Financial Crime from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Gabriela joined TPIO in 2024 to head up the risk and compliance function as the company continues to grow. She has a proven track record of leading compliance and risk change programmes, developing new methodologies, and overseeing financial crime investigations. Gabriela’s diverse experience spans various sectors, making her adept at creating robust risk management frameworks and ensuring regulatory alignment.
Kyri Papantoniou
GENERAL COUNSEL
Kyri is a specialist corporate finance and commercial lawyer with a particular focus on M&A, disposals, venture capital and private equity investments and corporate restructuring.
He is noted for his work with entrepreneurs in scaling to exit. He supports fast-growth businesses with every key stage of business — from start-up and growth phase to exit. He advises on a broad range of commercial projects and leads clients on a broad range of equity investment fundraising rounds — venture capital, growth capital, Series A and beyond. He offers value enhancing strategies tailored to the client’s needs to help entrepreneurs maximise business value at the time of sale.
Kyri also advises international companies, across a diverse range of sectors, in investing in the UK through acquisitions. With his extensive network, he is well-positioned to bring in the right talent to facilitate doing business in the UK.
Kyri serves as a Partner in a top tier international commercial law firm.
Noel Craven
CHARTERED MCSI & CHARTERED WEALTH MANAGER
Noel is an experienced and accomplished Wealth Management and Investment professional having held senior positions through his 20+ years working directly with Private Clients. Achieving a distinction in the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment for the Private Client Investment Advice and Management exam demonstrates the high level of understanding Noel has of the complexities that need to be considered in planning and structuring clients financial affairs.
As Head of Investment Solutions for a Swiss Private Bank he was responsible for the investment process and products whilst building strong relationships with International clients. This experience was transferred to the International Team at a highly respected Wealth Manager where his understanding of offshore custody and the use of company and trust structures in financial planning were in-demand. Most recently his expertise has been utilised with UK clients to ensure the maximised use of tax efficient wrappers through both their correct implementation and housing of investments to create the best outcomes.
Joining with The Private Investment Office in 2023 is allowing Noel to further apply his experience for the benefit of clients through the holistic wealth planning solution offered by the firm.
Hannah Roberts
Account Executive
Hannah has spent most of her professional career in the financial services industry after having graduated with a BA Honours degree in Business Management with Financial Services. In 2020 Hannah became an essential member of The Private Investment Office team, bringing with her valuable experience from her previous role in a top London Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) firm.
Liaising closely with the firm’s adviser, wealth planning team and operations Hannah is well skilled but also takes great pride in offering clients an exceptional level of service. She is driven to understand and support our clients with all their needs.
Louise Long
Account Executive
Louise's career in financial services spans several notable roles, primarily within the RBS banking group, including positions at NatWest and Coutts. She has excelled in various capacities, including client services, adviser support, and research. These roles have enabled Louise to refine her expertise and apply her extensive knowledge and experience in her current position as Account Executive.
Holding a BA Honours degree, Louise is also diligently working towards completing her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Advice. She became a valuable member of The Private Investment Office team in late 2023. In her role, Louise works closely with the firm's client advisers and the wealth planning team. She has a wide remit and is actively engaged with the Group's clients throughout all stages of the advisory journey.
George Elliott
Account Executive
George is building his professional career in the wealth management industry and has enjoyed successful client service roles in the city.
He was most recently employed by Hoxton Capital Management, where he quickly progressed to paraplanner working with the firm's high net worth clients in the UK and internationally. His time at Hoxton was instrumental in developing his expertise in financial analysis and wealth strategy development, contributing significantly to client engagement.
George joined The Private Investment Office in late 2023, where he currently applies his accumulated knowledge and experience as an Account Executive. He is currently working towards his Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Advice, with the goal of taking greater responsibility in the Group's client facing activities.
Lisa Pigney
Accounts Administrator
Lisa is a seasoned financial professional with a diverse background. Her initial foray into the financial services sector post-education led to working in various positions in a merchant bank, culminating in trading in the FX markets, dealing in currency options and then co-running a specialist trading desk.
She took a hiatus to focus on raising her family and explore life abroad with a period living overseas. Upon returning Lisa developed her expertise as a finance manager, contributing her skills to both the education and construction industries.
Lisa has now returned to financial services and has been at The Private Investment Office since the beginning of 2022.
Hannah Alexander
Business Analyst
With more than 18 years of invaluable experience within the Financial Services sector, Hannah has played integral roles in ensuring compliance, supporting external compliance teams, and overseeing income streams. Her extensive career has also encompassed responsibilities related to recruitment, HR matters and the successful execution of various special projects.
Hannah is a consummate professional, bringing a diverse skill set to her role at The Private Investment Office. In her current position, she works closely with the Directors and the Chief Operating Officer, managing important tasks and projects for the organisation.
