Jillian Thomas DipPFS EFA - Divisional Director

Childhood ambition: To be an interior designer

Jillian is a Divisional Director of Future Life, and a European Financial Planner. She was brought up in County Durham but moved to Sheffield as a child with aspirations of being an Interior Designer. Her qualifications include the Financial Planning Certificate and Diploma Level 4 in financial planning and the European qualification, the EFA and a qualified Pension Transfer Specialist. She is also currently studying the Advanced Leadership Programme.

Outside of work Jillian has dedicated much of her spare time to mentoring young people, whether university and college students or members of her own team. After all, as she says, the profession needs young blood as the average age of a financial planner is 57! Away from work she loves holidays in far flung places, culture, fine dining, interior design and pottering around the garden just watching the grass grow.

Samantha Williams APFS – Divisional Director of Technical Operations

Childhood ambition: To be an army officer

Samantha is our Divisional Director of Technical Operations and Paraplanning Manager, but she could have been an Army officer! Brought up in Sheffield, she planned to go to Sandhurst, but her ambitions were thwarted by injury and she was forced to choose a different career path. Samantha initially trained as an accountant but soon realised she was drawn to problem solving and technical research and directed her career towards financial services.

Samantha’s dedication to her studies began when she joined one the of UK’s largest multinational insurance companies which she then continued throughout her roles at a small Independent Adviser company before moving to an international financial planning company based in Sheffield. Samantha is now qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner and has over 10 years of experience working within the Financial Services Industry.   

Outside of work, Samantha is a keen traveller and enjoys cooking, drinking fine wine and keeping fit. In addition to her two rescue cats, Samantha also has a pug called Elmo who regularly comes into the office, doubling up as the Future Life ‘barketing’ manager!

Keeley Woodcock - Divisional Director of Operations

Childhood ambition: To be a vet

Keeley, our Divisional Director of Operations, might not have fulfilled her childhood ambition of becoming a vet, as she changed career path at age 17 attending South East Derbyshire Business School progressing to employment with HMRC, Capital Taxes Office and administering large death estates. 

Now Keeley has over 20 years’ experience within Financial Services Industry, including all areas such as Finance, Administration, Technical, Paraplanning, Advisory, Business Operations & Management, Compliance, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Human Resources. Her qualifications include City & Guilds (by Royal Charter) Advanced Business Studies, London Chamber of Commerce Advanced Office Procedures & Business Management, Financial Planning Certificate, Advanced Certificate in Financial Administration and Advanced Leadership and Management.

Away from work, Keeley enjoys long family walks with her two Patterdale Terriers Charles and Vincent, eating out, fine wine, travel and most of all, supporting her two daughters who compete at international level in Taekwondo. One of them was World Champion in 2019 and European Champion in 2018. Keeley is also a keen supporter of dementia charities.

Emma Baumback DipPFS EFA – Senior Financial Planner

Childhood ambition: To be a criminal lawyer

Emma, our Independent Financial Planner, has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry. Originally from London, Emma began her financial services career in the City. Before becoming an Adviser, Emma had been working as a Paraplanner and through hard work and dedication, progressed to the role of an Independent Financial Planner. Emma is diploma level 4 qualified and is now working hard towards becoming a chartered financial planner.

Emma is involved in a number of projects to support individuals and businesses within the East Midlands region.  She is a non-executive Director for the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and also, former Chair of the board of Generation Next, a network which grows, inspires and influences young professionals and entrepreneurs within the region.

In her spare time, she enjoys walks out in the countryside with her Shih-Tzu Barney and has a keen interest in fitness and history.