Meet our brilliant team

Find out about the people who make our company tick.

The Partners

Martyn Brighton
Partner

Qualifications:
Diploma in Financial Planning; G60 Pensions

Specialisms:
Retirement Planning; Pensions

I always wanted to work in Financial Services. I started off as a pensions administrator and spent the next ten years learning the pensions industry from the ground up, and this turned out to be crucial for what was to come!I moved on to advising on corporate pensions and working with clients face to face. I realised that I had found my niche. I truly loved what I was doing, but I felt I could do it better if I could do it in my own way. I set up Brighton Williams & Partners along with Terry Williams in 1992. It’s been an amazing journey – we’ve had many successes and weathered difficult times in the industry. I think our success is drawn from taking the positives from both ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ and believing in the fundamental value of what we do.
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Ian Llewellin
Partner

Qualifications:
Diploma in Financial Planning; Cert SMP

Specialisms:
Residential and Buy to Let Mortgages; Bridging Finance; Commercial Finance

I started off my career in stockbroking in 1987, then moved into dealing with 'personal borrowing' within the banking arena before branching out into personal financial advice, becoming an independent adviser in 1996. I quickly found that the dynamics of the mortgage world fired my enthusiasm, so I chose to specialise in this area whilst continuing to provide a holistic financial planning service. I joined Brighton Williams in 1996 and became an equity partner in the company in 2007.
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The Advisers

Peter Yardley
Head of Corporate Development

Qualifications: Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute; Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Corporate Pensions; Retirement Planning; Investments; Protection

My career in financial services spans over four decades, during which time I've specialised in corporate and individual pensions. I spent several years in the employee benefits sector as Pensions Director for an international insurance broker, before setting up my own company giving independent advice to individuals and businesses at the highest level. I act as Trustee for a defined benefits pension scheme and use this experience to help Trustees of other pension schemes. I joined Brighton Williams in 2010 to head up the corporate section of the business.
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Lyn Ford
Chartered Financial Planner

Qualifications: Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning; Award in Long-Term Care Insurance; Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; At Retirement Advice; Pension Transfers; Training Co-ordinator

I began my working life in Customer Services for a leading high street Building Society. Then I moved to one of the biggest life insurance, pensions and asset management providers and spent 19 years building my experience in all things ‘pensions’. My move to Brighton Williams in 2007, working as a specialist pension administrator, gave me much more involvement with clients. I loved that, so decided to change direction and work towards becoming an adviser. I achieved this in 2013 and have been working hard ever since, becoming a Chartered Financial Planner in 2014.
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Rob McCall
Chartered Financial Planner

Qualifications: Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning; Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; At Retirement Advice; Investment Inheritance Tax Planning

I hadn’t yet decided what I wanted to do when it was time to leave school. I think that this story is not an unusual one, but luck was on my side. I saw a job for a sales support role with a major financial services provider so I applied, got the job and found that I absolutely loved it! I helped financial advisers help people for over twenty years. Then I decided to cut out the middle man and help people directly, so I joined Brighton Williams and became a financial adviser in 2013. Since then I have achieved Chartered status and my aim to keep on gathering qualifications and experience so that I can provide my clients with the best possible service.
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Denise Young
Chartered Financial Planner

Qualifications: Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; At Retirement Advice; Inheritance Tax and Succession Planning

My life in financial services started at Prudential. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to meet so many nice and interesting people, and from all walks of life. Then, Prudential moved away from advisers and I went to work for NFU Mutual for many years, where I worked mainly with clients in agriculture and the rural economy. As my knowledge and experience grew, I wanted to expand the services I could offer people and so I became a Financial Adviser. This is where I have found my niche – I love working with people and this role allows me to meet new people and build relationships that last many years. I believe that much of the benefit I can offer comes from being a catalyst for clients to explore opportunities that are both available and affordable, and I find this very rewarding. I joined Brighton Williams in early 2025.
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Rachel Anderson
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning; Award in Pensions Update; Award in Long-term Care insurance

Specialisms: Long-term Financial Planning; Pensions; Investments

I have over 30 years’ experience in Financial Services and have worked for several major providers in that time. My starting role was in Administration, then I moved onto Sales Support and then Business Development. I made the transition into Financial Planning in 2013, when I became a Paraplanner. I joined Brighton Williams as a Financial Adviser at the beginning of 2022, and it is this role that I enjoy most – meeting with clients and providing solutions that help them to fulfil their plans and aspirations. I have gained many industry qualifications over the years, and I am currently part-way to becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. I am also a qualified Fitness Instructor, although it has been many years since I have taught any classes!
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Jamie Butterfield
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning; Cert CII (MP&ER)

Specialisms: Investments; Retirement Planning; Mortgages; Protection

My career started in Sales Support for a major financial services provider. I then spent 6 years as a Financial Adviser with a high street bank, which was a brilliant setting for me to learn in and build my skills. As my experience grew, I wanted to diversify the advice I was able to give, so I moved away from the more limited bank environment and joined Brighton Williams in 2007 as a Financial Adviser.
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Adam Greaves
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; Investments; Protection; Tax Planning

I became a Financial Adviser in 1994 after graduating from university with a Business Management degree. I went on to work for five financial adviser practices, gathering a wealth of experience from the different environments and becoming an accomplished professional. I joined Brighton Williams in 2013.
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Kristian Guest
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning;
Cert CII (MP); BA (Hons)

Specialisms: Investments; Protection; Retirement Planning; Inheritance Tax Planning

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, I’ve developed a strong understanding of both the technical and practical sides of financial planning. My career began with ten years at a leading life company, followed by eleven years at a major investment firm, which gave me a solid foundation in all areas of financial planning and the ability to deliver tailored investment solutions for a wide range of client needs. Today, I work directly with individuals and families to help them navigate key financial decisions through strategic, personalised planning. I take pride in creating clear, bespoke plans that reflect each person’s unique goals, values, and life stage. I joined Brighton Williams in 2025 and am actively working towards Chartered status to further enhance the quality of advice I provide.
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Bill Guibarra
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Pensions; Investments

I have been working in the financial services industry for over 35 years, 30 of which have been spent servicing my own client base. I am fortunate to work with a large number of clients, many of whom are retired and, in addition to providing a general financial planning service, I give focused advice on lump sum investments and pension planning. A key part of this is making sure that my clients’ retirement income is tax-efficient. The most important thing to me is making sure that my clients always receive a highly professional and quality service.
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Gary Paul
Mortgage & Protection Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Mortgages; Protection

I have been involved in financial services since 1987, primarily specialising in mortgages and personal and family protection. I spent 10 years as a Mortgage Adviser with an estate agent and this dynamic and busy environment was a huge learning experience for me. Along with my clients, I experienced the countless obstacles, pitfalls and triumphs during the house-buying process. I took all that experience with me to one of the biggest advisory firms in the region, where I worked for another 10 years before joining Brighton Williams in 2016.
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Martin Palmer
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning; BSc (Hons)

Specialisms: Investments; Pensions; Tax & Estate Planning

After graduating from University, my focus was on sport and competitive running. My first job was at a gym as a personal trainer, but I found that it didn’t fit with my own training so I took a job in financial services as an Administrator. This worked out well with my training schedule and to my surprise, I found that I really enjoyed the work! I thought “I could be good at this” and so decided to form a career in the industry. I worked my way through various supporting roles before qualifying as a Financial Adviser in 2006. I joined Brighton Williams in 2009.
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Barry Pearce
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning; Mortgage Advice Qualification; Award in Long-Term Care Insurance

Specialisms: 'Later Life' Financial Planning

My first job was as an Office Clerk with an insurance company and in 1974. Following this, I became a Financial Adviser when I joined a market leading financial services provider. I've worked for quite a few companies over the years and have evolved alongside the industry as it has changed, demanding more of advisers and raising the bar for professional qualifications, and I’m pleased to have exceeded these requirements. I joined Brighton Williams in 2013.
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Phil Purnell
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning; Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; Investments; Protection; Tax Planning

I used to be a professional footballer, but injury forced me to retire from the game and so I had to rethink my career. I got my first taste of the world of financial services as a Sales Consultant with a major provider. I found that I enjoyed the work and connecting with people and so I decided to progress and become a Financial Adviser. I gained 6 years’ experience before joining Brighton Williams in 1999 and working in the village where I was born!
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Ami Stewart
Financial Adviser

Qualifications: Diploma in Financial Planning

Specialisms: Retirement Planning; Investments; Protection; Mortgages

I started my career within the mortgage industry in 2002. I soon realised that I wanted to work directly with people rather than providers, so I became a Mortgage & Protection Adviser. I really enjoyed being able to help people secure their homes and their family’s future, but wanted to be able to provide more strategic advice and longer-term planning for my clients. I worked towards qualifying as a Financial Adviser and can now give a complete 'for life' planning service.
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The Management Team

Sharon Brighton
Head of Compliance Oversight & Risk

Qualifications: Financial Planning Certificate Financial Services; Regulation & Ethics Supervision in a Regulated Environment

Specialisms: T&C Coach

I have been working in the financial services industry since 1981, and specifically working in Compliance for more than 20 years. I’ve experienced ‘both sides of the fence’, having worked for both Product Providers and Financial Adviser firms during my career, and this has given me a good all-round perspective which helps me immensely in my compliance role.
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Tracy Bell
Practice Manager

Qualifications: HNC Business & Finance; PMI Trustee Certificate

Specialisms: Pensions Administration; HR & Finance; Office Management

I completed a commercial apprenticeship at British Aerospace, where my final placement was in the pensions department. I liked this particular element a lot and decided that a career in financial services was for me. I went on to have various roles with companies acting as third-party pension administrators. I was a Senior Administrator at Portland Pensions. I moved up to Pensions Administration Manager at SBJ Benefit Consultants. This subsequently became Bluefin and then Capita Employee Benefits and I held a number of roles there with tasks ranging from managing large administration teams to setting and monitoring budgets and overseeing the finances of the office. I joined BWP in January 2018.
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Lynn Forbes
Operations Manager

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

Specialisms: IT; Graphics; Systems & Process

I've spent my career in graphics, publishing, science and technology. My roles have been varied, including as a Senior Designer and a Creative Services Manager. My move into the financial services sector was more by accident than by design, but many years later I find that I'm still enjoying the constant challenges that result from our ever-evolving industry. I joined Brighton Williams in early 2007.
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Jo Willson
Financial Controller

Qualifications: Diploma in Business & Finance; CeMAP

Specialisms: Income & Expenditure Management; Banking; Financial Reporting & Analysis; Payroll

After I completed my diploma and graduated from UWE, I got my first job with a leading high street Building Society. I held a number of positions over the 5 years I worked there, including Supervisor of several branches. I also completed my CeMap qualifications during this time. My next role was as a Mortgage Administrator with sizeable mortgage broker firm. I went on to become a Business Development Manager before moving on to Office Manager for the Bristol office. I joined Brighton Williams in 2010.
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