Leadership Team

Mark Cliff serves as nonexecutive chair of Hastings and Advanta Wealth, and chairs Avid Insurance while sitting on the Hiscox UK board. He is a nonexecutive director at Advanta Solutions and mentors’ leaders across the insurance sector. 

Previously, he was executive chairman and then CEO of Brightside Insurance (2015–2018). Mark has also led the retail and distribution at Ageas UK, overseeing broker and affinity channels and brands including Kwik Fit Financial Services, RIAS and Castle Cover. Earlier roles include markets managing director at AXA and a 15year career at RSA. 

Mark has fond memories of representing his home county, Staffordshire in both cricket and crosscountry.

Mark oversees commercial strategy, business development, client relationships, and strategic partnerships, driving growth and high-quality service delivery. He is responsible for Advanta Wealth’s advice propositions, routes to market, new business acquisition, marketing strategy, brand, and PR.

With over 40 years in financial services, Mark is a respected press commentator, speaker, and contributor to industry think tanks. He has authored key pension initiatives, including the Pension Transfer Gold Standard and DWP-led Code of Conduct and is a member of the Pension Income Taskforce and Retirement Income Taskforce.  His expertise includes growth, change management, and client strategy.

A keen athlete and qualified rugby coach, although he’s 6’2” he’s still the shortest male in his family!

Craig is the Founder of the Advanta Group.  He oversees the growth of the business while advising his high-net-worth client portfolio, as a Chartered Financial Planner.

Born in Shropshire but with a personal international outlook, he considers himself a true “citizen of the world” and serves as Trustee of the Advanta Foundation, a 20-year-old children’s charity centred on improving children’s lives here in the UK and overseas.

A member of the Jesters Club, Craig is a committed sports enthusiast. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, food and wine, and aspires to combine these passions by attending major sporting events around the globe.

Chris is a Chartered Accountant with 25 years’ experience in financial services. Over the past decade, Chris has operated as a Finance leader within private equity-backed, buy-and-build businesses, partnering closely with leadership teams across financial reporting and analysis, treasury and cash management, debt raising and refinancing, buy-side M&A, and equity sponsor exits. Chris brings a commercial, practical and hands-on approach to driving growth and value creation.

Outside of work, Chris has a keen interest in sport, particularly football, Formula 1, and rugby, and is actively involved in voluntary roles within the local community and swimming club.

Tim is responsible for Operations, Technology, Advisers, People, Integration and Transformation at Advanta Wealth. He joined the business in August, bringing extensive leadership experience from across the financial services sector, most recently serving as Group Chief Operating Officer at Progeny Group.

With more than 30 years’ experience, Tim is a transformational leader with a proven track record of driving operational excellence, business growth and organisational change. He has held senior roles at leading firms including Barclays and Link Group, where he successfully delivered large-scale transformation programmes, enhanced client outcomes and strengthened commercial performance.

Passionate about combining innovative technology with a people-focused approach, Tim champions the use of cutting-edge fintech solutions while fostering collaborative, high-performing cultures. His leadership helps build resilient, future-ready businesses that deliver long-term value for clients, colleagues and stakeholders.

Outside of work, Tim enjoys experimenting with vegetarian cooking alongside his partner, Janie, and exploring the outdoors with their two Jack Russells, Blossom and Pumpkin.

With over 15 years’ experience in wealth management, Jade serves as Chief Client Officer at Advanta Wealth Ltd. A Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, she combines strong technical expertise with a clear focus on delivering excellent client outcomes, driving business growth, and encouraging innovation.

Widely recognised for developing advice businesses and improving client engagement, she also champions collaborative approaches across the financial planning profession. Jade is particularly passionate about helping families navigate complex financial decisions and achieve positive, lasting outcomes.

Outside of work, as a self-confessed “cricket widow” during the summer months, she can confidently score a cricket match!

Matt is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and oversight of both the firm and its Managed Portfolio Service. He has over 25 years of multi-asset portfolio management experience, having joined Advanta Invest from Abrdn plc, where he served as a Senior Investment Manager. During this tenure, he held several senior roles, including Senior Analyst, Fund Manager & Research Manager, and was responsible for the development and implementation of the firm’s investment research process. 

Earlier in his career, Matt worked as a Fund of Funds Manager at Co-operative Asset Management and for Mazars Financial Planning and Investment consultancy, Old Broad Street Research.

A keen golfer from an early age, at the age of 18, Matt achieved a hole-in-one in golf; an accomplishment he has yet to repeat despite over 30 years of trying!