Platform 50 put in place the key skills to prepare your 50+ workforce for the future, including retirement transition experts, Independent Financial Advisers and executive coaches.
This range of expertise means we can engage and support individuals from any background, ensuring employees can make informed decisions about the future.

Allan Esler Smith
Chartered Accountant and Author
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW)
- Author of ‘The Retirement Planning Expert’
Allan Esler Smith is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has his own practice advising on finance and tax. He is a leading UK retirement planning expert and has delivered hundreds of retirement planning and business start-up courses.
Previously he was a manager with the Investors Compensation Scheme (now the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK financial system safety net). He was co-editor then author/editor of The Good Retirement Guide from 2012 to 2019.
Allan is the author of ‘The Retirement Planning Expert’, available on Amazon and provided to all delegates on Platform 50 learning events.

Phil Haden
Chartered Financial Planner
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Advanced Pensions & Pension Freedom qualifications
Phil Haden has more than 20 years’ experience in Financial Services, providing award winning independent financial advice.
Phil has achieved the status of Chartered Financial Planner, accepted as the Gold Standard of Independent Financial Advisers. Plus specialist qualifications in pensions (pre & post retirement), investments and long-term care.
Additionally, Phil is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accreditation awarded by the society.
Delegates on Platform 50 learning events can benefit from Phil’s experience and technical knowledge in areas including pensions, investments, inheritance tax and long-term care.

Ron Oliver
Executive Coach
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- BSc Behavioural Psychology
Ron has an enviable track record of coaching senior leaders in shaping professional & personal change, plus delivering a wide range of leadership programmes.
Working across a range of sectors, including retail, financial services, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, engineering, manufacturing & construction. In addition to the UK he has supported organisations globally, including France, Germany, the USA, China & UAE.
With an impressive thirty-year track record, Ron has headed up Learning & Development functions at leading organisations, including Head of Management Development at TSB Bank, Head of Training Delivery at Lloyds TSB, plus Head of Learning & Development & HR Director at Britannic Assurance.

Neil McGann
Independent Financial Adviser
- Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
- Advanced Qualifications in Pensions & Retirement Planning
With a highly engaging & professional approach, Neil has nearly 30 years experience in the financial services industry, commencing his career with a major high street bank.
Moving into an independent financial advice role in 1997, where he continues to specialise in advice to employees of many FTSE 100 companies, including workplace financial education seminars, executive retirement programmes, plus supporting employees experiencing redundancy & career transition.
Neil holds the diploma in regulated financial planning covering savings & investments, pensions, family protection & estate planning, plus the advanced qualifications in pensions & retirement planning.