Our Management Team

Kirill Ilinski

Chief Executive Officer

Kirill started Fusion Group in 2004 after he left JPMorgan Chase. The firm was initially an institutional asset manager but later added treasury and hedge advisory, HNW wealth management, and Loyal North. He is passionate about financial planning for clients and the benefits of long-term investing with the application of science. As Group CEO, he leads the Loyal North team and is responsible for overall success of the businesses. While being busy with running the business, Kirill finds time to write books, give lectures on financial modelling and speak in industry conferences.

After obtaining his PhD from the Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1994, Kirill for several years worked for the University of Birmingham as a Research Fellow studying a variety of topics, from condensed matter physics to field theory and quantum gravity. Here he became interested in mathematical physics aspects of quantitative finance, which culminated Wiley&Sons publishing of his monograph “Physics of Finance – Gauge Modelling in non-equilibrium pricing”. In 2000 Kirill left academia to join Chase Manhattan Bank derivatives group in London. After Chase acquired JPMorgan, Kirill worked in various roles in the bank, which included hedging the bank’s global convertible bonds book and setting up the Debt-Equity Relative Value Group.

Stuart Pittaway

Group Operations Director

Stuart has nearly 30 years of experience in the financial planning sector and before joining Loyal North, he worked in a number of senior roles for large regional IFA practices. With a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking mindset, Stuart is able to advise our member firms on all aspects of their business, to help them navigate their everyday challenges and maximise growth within the group.

As Group Operations Director, as well as being responsible for the day-to-day running of Loyal North, Stuart also works with a large number of external partners to ensure our member firms receive the benefits of a large group.

Kuan Ang

Group Finance Director

Kuan has over 12 years of experience working in senior management roles in the regulated financial service businesses with over £20B of AUM. Prior to this, Kuan spent 5 years at Deloitte LLP and 4 years at Ernst & Young LLP. Kuan is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive accounting and financial services expertise.

As Group Finance Director of Loyal North, Kuan is responsible for financial systems, control, reporting and oversight within the Loyal North group, as well as supporting growth acquisitions and maintaining relationships with banks and stakeholders.

Debbie Dry

Group Acquisitions Director

Debbie has over 25 years of experience in the financial planning and wealth management, specialising in M&A.  She has held senior acquisition and operational positions in multiple firms, including Integration Director at national consolidator Succession Wealth, overseeing the acquisition of 57 firms with over £8B combined AUM.

As Group Acquisition Director at Loyal North, Debbie works with business owners to manage all aspects of the acquisition and integration process.

Christian Captieux

Group Compliance Director

Christian has over 25 years’ experience in compliance and financial services.  Prior to joining Loyal North, he held senior management functions with several firms, including the role of Group Compliance Director at one of the largest consolidators, Succession Wealth and Head of Compliance for listed wealth management firm Quilter.  Christian is a Chartered Financial Planner with the ICA’s Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Governance, Risk and Compliance.

As Group Compliance Director of Loyal North, Christian is responsible for regulatory systems and oversight within the Loyal North group and works to support our partner firms to ensure that both their regulatory responsibilities are delivered, and that great client outcomes are achieved.

Taras Rybak

Group Strategy Director

Taras has over 15 years of experience working in the financial services industry, focusing on building businesses and delivering strategic initiatives. Before joining Loyal North and Fusion Group, he worked as a managing director at InvestCap Group, leading origination and managing key relationships.

As Group Strategy Director, Taras is responsible for defining, developing, and executing the group’s strategic plans. He also supports Loyal North and partner IFA firms in developing and implementing growth strategies to ensure our clients receive the best service.

Wes Nixon

Adviser to CEO

Wes is a Chartered Financial Planner and qualified fund manager who has held senior compliance and management functions with Succession Wealth and Independent Wealth Planners UK and now operates his own financial planning business.

As Adviser to CEO and to the Loyal North board, Wes provides strategic challenge and industry insight from both a regulatory and client perspective.

Norman MacLeod

Business Development Manager

Norman has worked in financial services for over 10 years. Prior to working with Loyal North, after a successful period with Succession Wealth initiating acquisition deals, he helped establish an M&A brokerage, Wealth Holdings Ltd.

As Business Development Manager, Norman is responsible for the first steps of engagement with potential partner firms and assisting Debbie with the acquisition process.

James Mitchell

Senior Business Analyst

James joined Loyal North in 2019 as a graduate of Newcastle University and has quickly established himself as a very capable and critical part of the Loyal North team. He has shown great progression, becoming qualified as a fund manager by obtaining the Level 4 Investment Management Certificate.

As Senior Analyst, he is responsible for assisting with the operation of the group’s investment solutions and collating and overseeing the group’s Management Information.

Nici Bulman

Group Operations Analyst

Nici has spent her career in a support capacity within financial planning firms and so fully understands the operational and administrative challenges faced by owners and planners.

Her role at Loyal North is to support Stuart with the group’s day-to-day running and operational success.