As well as writing for Protection Guru, Amanda is the feature writer at adviser trade publication Money Marketing. She started her career at a local newspaper in London and has been writing about protection products since 2000. In her previous role at Money Marketing she specialised in analysis of new financial products, including those in the protection market. Having recently become interested in antiques, Amanda spends her free time with her husband and their three children, hunting for unloved pieces to restore to their former glory.

Chris joined SM Advice as Managing Director in July 2025, following eight years at the Openwork Partnership, where he held several senior leadership roles and chaired the LGBTQ+ colleague network group. With a career spanning 25 years in Financial Services, Chris has built expertise across Wealth Management, Later Life Lending, Protection, and Mortgages, bringing a broad and informed perspective to every opportunity.

His primary passion lies in supporting advice firms to maximise their potential while harnessing the benefits of inclusive thinking. In recognition of his work educating adviser networks on the value of allyship, Chris received a Business Ally Award at the Barclays Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Awards in 2023.

Gary brings over 30 years of experience as both a financial adviser and a mortgage adviser. After witnessing the consequences of under-protecting clients, Gary became deeply committed to mastering the art of protection sales. Over the course of 25,000 client interviews, he developed a proven system that consistently generated protection sales at 10 times the industry average. 

Today, Gary is widely recognised as one of the leading experts in protection sales coaching. His engaging, down-to-earth teaching style and dynamic personality have earned him a loyal following across social media. He continues to inspire and guide advisers toward better protection practices, helping them deliver significant value to their clients.

Matt is a leading performance consultant, speaker, and coach in financial services, helping major firms and advisers transform protection sales and customer conversations. He has worked with industry giants like Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC Life, and Scottish Widows, driving real results through proven coaching strategies.

A passionate advocate for protection, Matt is on a mission to help more UK consumers secure financial security.

With a professional background in law and finance, Melanie runs Trevisan, a specialist LinkedIn marketing and training company for regulated professionals. She provides CPD-accredited LinkedIn training and a “done-for-you” service for time-poor advisers who lack the time or inclination to manage, grow, and nurture relationships on LinkedIn themselves. At a corporate level, she develops and delivers employee advocacy programs, corporate training, and social media policies for firms looking to help their teams leverage the platform more effectively.

Setul is a Financial Services Industry Expert having held senior roles within Distribution, Insurer, Trade Body as well as being a licenced adviser. Most recently, he has launched a Social Media Management Company supporting Advisers and Business Owners run regular and consistent Social Media profiles at an affordable price to increase visibility and engagement with clients. Outside of Financial Services he holds board roles at three Multi-Academy Trusts supporting the education sector and continues to live in hope his beloved Arsenal FC will win a trophy.

Stuart is a Market Development Manager with over 35 years experience in a variety of roles in the financial services area. A proven track record in proposition development for new markets and new products, sales development, presenting and training, and strategic developments to grow business for advisers across various business channels. Stuart launched “The Business Protection Academy” with Lee Thomas of Pangea life – comprehensive in-depth training over several workshops, group and 1:1 sessions. Most recently established the Business Protection Focus week. Stuart takes the time to understand what you need, your aims, how it will help you achieve what you are looking for, and bespoke any training or development to meet those needs.

A mortgage geek and protection nerd with a passion for cycling and over 25 years’ working in lenders and brokerage firms.  Scott has been a VouchedFor Top Rated Adviser every year since 2019, as well as serving on the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries board and their Protection Specialist Group.  He’s a member of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, holding their Diploma in Mortgage Advice and Practice, as well as being signed up to their CeMAP Advanced Professional program.

Terry Blackburn is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, property investor. Having started and scaled two multi-million-pound brokerages one of which had over 100 protection only brokers in it who he trained up from scratch. Over the past 16 years, he has recruited and trained hundreds of mortgage and protection brokers, helping them master sales, generate more leads, build confidence and achieve record-breaking results.