Tim O'Connor
Group Chief Executive
Dean Breyley
Managing Director, FBS
Ian Pigney
Chief Operating Officer
Chris Darbyshire
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Matthew Brown
HEAD OF RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
Samantha Wilks
HEAD OF FINANCE & HR
Gabriela Silion
HEAD OF RISK & COMPLIANCE
Noel Craven
CHARTERED WEALTH MANAGER
Gareth Munn
WEALTH MANAGER
Gemma Pearson
Operations Manager
Hannah Roberts
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
George Elliott
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Lisa Pigney
FINANCE OFFICER
Hannah Alexander
BUSINESS ANALYST
Darryl Bates-Brownsword
Chief Growth Officer
Lyn McCartney
PA to Dean Breyley
John Carroll
Business Architect
Matthew Hague
Business Architect
Andrew Cotton
Business Architect
Katy Davies
Associate Relationship Manager
Tim O'Connor
Tim is a highly experienced business leader having spent more than 20 years in the wealth-management profession, with a CV that covers a wide range of business channels both in the UK and internationally. He is the Group Chief Executive and founder of Fabric Group, comprising Fabric Private Office and Fabric Business Solutions. 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 founder of StratEx Partners LLP.
Ian Pigney
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 Fabric is to ensure that the firm continues to improve its effectiveness through the implementation of leading processes and technologies.
Chris Darbyshire
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.
Matthew Brown
As the Head of Relationship Management at Fabric Private 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
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
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.
Noel Craven
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 Fabric Private 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
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 Fabric Private 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 advisers, wealth planning team and operations Hannah is well skilled and takes great pride in offering clients an exceptional level of service. She is driven to understand and support our clients with all their needs.
George Elliott
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 Fabric Private 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
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 Fabric Private Office since the beginning of 2022.
Hannah Alexander
With more than 20 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.
Dean Breyley
Bio coming soon!
Gemma Pearson
Gemma joined Fabric Private Office as Operations Manager in March 2025. Highly qualified in financial services, Gemma brings broad and deep understanding of business operations, advisory needs, and back-office functions. She is an experienced project and people manager with a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach. Gemma's role includes using management information to drive improvements and shape strategy, as well as managing and growing our team. Gemma is passionate about delivering great client service and is committed to ensuring systematic and compliant operations.
John Carroll
John is a seasoned wealth management professional with over 28 years of industry experience, having held leadership roles across some of the most respected financial institutions. Most recently, he served as Head of UK Stockbroking at Fidelity International, where he was responsible for launching and the subsequent management and growth, of the online stock trading service. Prior to Fidelity, John held leadership positions at Barclays, UBS, and Schroders, driving innovation and performance across diverse business units. With a deep-rooted passion for business change and transformation, John has successfully delivered numerous large-scale change programmes, aligning technology, operations, and strategy to unlock growth and resilience. His approach blends corporate discipline with pragmatic execution, making him a trusted advisor in both enterprise and entrepreneurial settings. John has a particular interest in the SME sector, where he leverages his corporate experience to help smaller companies implement best-practice solutions, professionalise their operations, and prepare for successful exits. His ability to translate complex challenges into actionable strategies makes him a valuable partner for businesses navigating growth, transition, or investment readiness.
Darryl Bates-Brownsword
Darryl is Chief Growth Officer at Fabric Business Solutions, where he works closely with Fabric's team of Business Architects to match them with clients seeking to get the most from their life’s work by preparing businesses to be exit-ready long before they plan to exit. With over 20 years of experience in business consulting, Darryl plays a key role in Fabric’s partner relationships to uncover client opportunities and add value across the board. He’s known for his ability to spot hidden value, simplify complex challenges, and drive real-world results. Before joining Fabric, Darryl co-founded two international consulting businesses. He began his career as a mechanical engineer in the power industry and brings that same systems-thinking mindset to his work with mid-market business owners. Originally from Australia and now based in the UK, Darryl believes in challenging the status quo and turning good businesses into great assets. Away from the office, Darryl is an avid cyclist and runner, believing that a clear head is a competitive advantage. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) and an MBA.
Kay Davies
Katy Davies brings experience from Wealth Management and City- based Private Client firms, where she led Protection desks with a focus on bespoke financial solutions for clients including high net worth individuals, companies, families and retirees. With a Diploma for Financial Advisors and Certificates in Mortgages and Protection, she is well-versed in holistic financial planning. Now part of the Relationship Management team at Fabric Private Office, Katy works closely with Advisers, Account Executives and Technical departments to deliver seamless, client-focussed outcomes that reflect both strategic performance and personal aspirations. She believes that effective financial planning should reflect not only performance metrics but also personal goals, values, and emotions - ensuring every strategy is as meaningful as it is effective.
Dean Breyley
After starting and running several of his own businesses, Dean has spent the last 11 years helping other SME business owners to get what they want from their organisations. Having helped over 130 companies across 50+ industries throughout Europe, Dean has a breadth of experience in consulting for Start-Ups, Scale-Ups, Family Run, VC/PE Backed, and Global Organisations. Helping them to get clarity on where they are, get unstuck, and realise the full potential of their business assets. Dean was at the forefront of helping to establish a business operating system (EOS) here in Europe and was the Leader of the European EOS Community here up until 2024, before becoming Managing Director of Fabric Business Solutions.
Matthew Hague
Matt has a background in engineering design and product strategy. He spent the majority of his career on the leadership team of a transport technology business, stepping away after its IPO in 2020. More recently, he served as early investor and CEO of a renewable energy start-up. Following its acquisition in 2023, Matt now holds diverse business interests spanning land and property investment, commercial solar power, and niche electric vehicle manufacturing. With 30 years of experience helping grow and scale innovative technology and engineering companies, Matt is now part of the Fabric team, supporting SME businesses in their growth.
Lyn McCartney
With a career foundation in the Royal Air Force, Lyn brings discipline, adaptability, and precision to every aspect of her work. Having served as PA to the Chair of the City Police, Lyn has extensive experience managing high-level schedules, sensitive information, and complex stakeholder relationships. Extensive travel around the world has given Lyn a global outlook and an ability to adapt quickly in fast-changing environments. Now based in Exeter, Lyn supports Dean, the Managing Director of Fabric Business Solutions, ensuring his schedule, priorities, and strategic objectives run seamlessly. Known for a calm, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to anticipate needs before they arise, Lyn plays a pivotal role in enabling the business to operate at its best.
New Team Member
Bio coming soon!
Gareth Munn
Gareth has spent his entire 20 plus year career working with and advising private individuals across a variety of asset classes, life stages and disciplines.
His specialisms are in helping successful senior executives, members of the private equity community and entrepreneurs/business owners achieve their long term financial goals. His emphasis is always on trying to make the complicated simple and easy to understand. He has a personal focus on improving the finances of disabled people and carers of disabled children, a cause which is very close to his heart.
Having held senior positions at both large international banks and also mid-tier investment management firms, Gareth has a unique perspective on the power of a service-based firm and also one which can give a broad range of advice. It was the unique ability of PLW to deliver both of these in a truly holistic approach which brought him to the firm in 2022.
