Hill Coates Associates

09/07/2025

Simon Hill, Hill Coates's Managing Director was very pleased to chair a business lunch for Connect 127, the business network of the Cavalry & Guards Club at 127 Piccadilly on 2nd July 2025. the speaker was Dame Anne Glover, CEO of Amadeus Capital, who shared insights with 41 attendees. As a prominent UK Tech investor, Anne highlighted the exceptional quality and innovation of UK tech engineers. She emphasized the potential for these talents to address global challenges if adequately supported by domestic capital from UK institutions. Anne urged individuals with influence among pension schemes and other investors to champion British innovation. hashtag hashtag hashtag

20/02/2025

Dr Nicola Hodson, IBM Chair, UK & Ireland was the guest speaker today at a lunch given by Connect 127, the business network of the Cavalry and Guards Club, chaired by Simon Hill, MD of Hill Coates Associates. Nicola spoke passionately about the advent of the AI age, the savings that can be invested into the things that machines cannot do. 50 members and guests attended principally from the technology and investment sectors, including Sophia Staveley, a current IBM intern, and several recent or imminent Army service leavers who gleaned some useful advice and contacts.

10/10/2024

A great privilege to sponsor this event for Veterans' mental health

The Hill Coates Hot Shots were in action (no pressure with the Royal Navy Clay Team looking on) at the Combat Stress Clay Day at EJ Churchill Shooting Ground, West Wycombe on 26th September 2024. The team comprised Simon Hill, Tom Hamilton, Jamie Balfour and Edmund Glaister. This was the tenth year....

09/10/2024

Simon Hill, Hill Coates Managing Director, spent a very worthwhile afternoon and evening at FT Due Diligence Live yesterday with some excellent presentations from deal makers and facilitators across private equity, private credit and public markets. Particularly interesting were the insights of provate credit, which we are currently engaged with over the financing of a new company in a very live market, who management team we are advising. Great to hear that the demand for deals is as great as ever in the private equity community for which we originate potential acqusitions, often through our network of senior sector executives.

11/09/2024

Simon Hill, Hill Coates Associates’ Managing Director hosted a lunch for the Connect 127, the business network of the Cavalry and Guards Club on 10th September, when CBI President Rupert Soames delivered a compelling address. He underscored the critical role of UK business success in shaping the prosperity and public services to which we aspire. Mr Soames emphasized the importance of inward investment in UK businesses, particularly from the country’s pensions sector. Looking towards the future, he talked of the growth strategies of the new government and stressed the collective responsibility of all UK citizens in making business success a reality.

16/05/2024

Simon Hill, Hill Coates Associates’ Managing Consultant was pleased to host the Connect 127 Business Breakfast at The Cavalry & Guards Club in London’s Piccadilly recently. The address given by Bruce Carnegie-Brown was an insightful presentation on navigating Lloyd’s of London in the 21st Century. The event was attended by 43 members and guests, sparking valuable discussions amongst both seasoned business professionals and individuals transitioning from military service. Notably, the gathering included key figures from the insurance sector, such as the Chair of an international brokerage, the founder of a specialist insurer, and three soon-to-be interns of the Lloyd’s Military Network. A great opportunity to connect with the Chairman of Lloyd’s ahead of their internships!

13/02/2024

Simon Hill, Hill Coates' Associates Managing Consultant was very pleased to host the Inaugural Lunch of Connect 127, the new business network of the Cavalry & Guards Club. This brings together members to hear insights from a promise business leader, make or deepen useful contacts and to assist those transitioning from service lifer to the business world. Our speaker was ICT guru and financier Sir Kenneth Olisa, HM Lord Lieutenant of London and Chairman of Restoration Partners, the technology merchant bank. After a sumptuous lunch of Saddle of Lamb and Millionaires Chocolate Mousse (appropriate choice!) Sir Kenneth spoke passionately and entertainingly about the importance of values, service, diversity and inclusion to get the best out of everyone and harvest everyone's contribution. As the host's watch had stopped we overran a little and those who didn't have to rush back to the office were able to mingle for a little longer including Sir Kenneth, who was most generous with his time. Simon was pleased to announce that the next event is to be addressed by Nicholas Lyons, lately Lord Mayor of London and originator of the Mansion House Compact.

07/11/2023

Hill Coates Associates is very pleased to have introduced Academy Insurance Services to its new management team backed by private equity house, Blixt . Simon Hill and Tom Lethaby first met CEO Gilles Normand, former CEO of Swinton Insurance, in 2021 as part of Hill Coates's Pathfinder Programme and listened to his ideas for creating a new sort of insurance broker, digitally integrated and offering high service levels to end clients. Gilles's vision was shared by the former COO of Brightwell Insurance Richard Beaven who soon joined the team. Tom Lethaby led the company search and eventually identified Academy Insurance Services as a suitable platform investment, where Managing Director Neil Turner was keen to grow the company through acquisition. Blixt then partnered the new team to acquire the business, with industry veteran Brendan McCafferty joining as Chair and Neil moving to the key role of Acqusitions Director. The team has been further augmented by Andrew Creedon joining as CFO and Mark Richardson as Partnerships Director and a new corporate identity has been adopted. But it hasn't ended there for Hill Coates who are very happy to have been asked to find further brokerages to include, either with proprietors who just want to hand on their legacy of well serviced clients or with proprietors who want to be part of a bigger, better capitalised and growing business. If either of those descriptions fit you, please contact [email protected].

22/09/2023

Hill Coates Associates Limited was very pleased to sponsor the Combat Stress Clay Day on 21st September for the 9th year in succession. This took place at E.J. Churchill Shooting Ground | Lane End (ejchurchill.com) near High Wycombe. The charity does a fantastic job for veterans' mental health not least those suffering from PTSD, once they have worked out that they are suffering from it. We heard a moving testimonial from one suffer, who gradually worked out what was troubling him after very nearly killing himself. He attributes his ability to cope with life now completely to the residential courses held at Tyrwhitt House and the many difficult sessions that helped him to look at life differently. It was also great to have the display team from the 7th (Reserve) Battalion, The Rifles who let us play with various elements of their firepower capability. They were accompanied by two buglers who sounded calls before the various announcements and speeches. The one call that everyone knew was "Cookhouse" and no further announcement of lunch was needed!

01/03/2023

Hill Coates Associates is always looking for senior sector executives who have recently stepped down as an executive director of a plc board and, their executive careers behind them, are wishing to leverage their industry knowledge and connections in a way that will that will create capital for them, in the sector they know so well. They are probably more entrepreneurial than many of their former colleagues, who are happy to tread the well trodden path to a portfolio of plc non-executive roles. We can give such executives the support they need to think about how capital can best be put to work in their sector, to identify target companies that could be acquired as suitable vehicles given a growth investment thesis, and connect them with the private equity houses most likely to be collaborate on an acqusition, after which the executives will often act as a significantly invested chairman, chief executive or senior advisor. Executives wishing to investigate this further are welcome to contact Simon Hill on [email protected]

29/11/2022

Well said the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, showing true leadership to the financial services sector!

Economic headwinds have made many businesses question their long-term plans. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Tonight I will welcome the Prime

14/10/2022

Hill Coates Associates was pleased to play its part earlier this year in the appointment of seven new Non-Executive Directors covering both the corporate and sponsor operational sides of the business. Michael Clark, Chief Executive Officer at the Pension SuperFund, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome these highly regarded individuals to their respective Board positions at Pension SuperFund. Their track records both within pensions and across the broader financial landscape further strengthens PSF’s already high-class roster of pension professionals and talent to ensure first-class leadership and governance for what is a very exciting time for superfunds.” Hill Coates would like to congratulate the following and wish them well in their involvement with this exciting new business aiming to offer better outcomes to pension beneficiaries. The NEDs appointed are: David Barral; Sheila Gunn; Jocelyn Blackwell; Samantha Durrant; Clive Hopkins; Helen Copinger-Symes; Frank Johnson.

Hill Coates Associates was pleased to play its part earlier this year in the appointment of seven new Non-Executive Directors covering both the corporate and sponsor operational sides of the business. Michael Clark, Chief Executive Officer at the Pension SuperFund, commented: “We are absolutely de...