ASTUTE PRIVATE WEALTH - Key Persons

Alex Bothwell

Job Titles:

Strategy, Risk and Operations Director

Alex has over 20 years' experience in financial advisory businesses, having worked his way "through the ranks" from administration and paraplanning on to compliance, training & competence roles and operational risk management. Having joined Astute in 2022, Alex is responsible for managing the implementation of the firm's strategic objectives and overseeing the management of the firm's staff, offices and processes. He holds the Diploma in Financial Services as well as specialist exams in paraplanning, supervision, and risk management. Alex is married to Nicola with two children. He's an avid Formula 1 fan and when not watching the races, he's usually walking the dog, ferrying the kids about and occasionally attempting DIY, with varying degrees of success!

Anastasia Thomas

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Andrew Neale

Job Titles:

Chartered Financial Planner
Director - Astute Private Wealth & Astute Investment Management
Director and Financial Planner

Andrew is a Director and Financial Planner at the company, and has enjoyed working in financial services since 1987. Andrew started his career working for Lloyds Bank, progressing to become a Financial Adviser in 1994. He then moved on to the role of Wealth Planning Manager, advising the higher net worth clients within the bank, before becoming an Independent Financial Adviser. Andrew's strengths are in investment, estate and pension planning. He is a Pension Transfer Specialist which allows him to give advice to clients on the complexities of occupational pension schemes. Andrew is a Chartered Financial Planner, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (CII), as well as a Certified Financial Planner of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). Andrew is married to Elizabeth, and has two children, Edward and Harriet, who are still at school. His hobbies include golf, football, skiing, cycling and running. Andrew has completed many half marathons and several marathons raising money, mostly for cancer charities.

Bailey Ewel Robertson

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Cathryn Jones

Job Titles:

Independent Financial Adviser

Cathryn graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a 2:1 degree in Politics and decided to follow in the footsteps of her dad and pursue a career in Financial Services. Beginning her career at a boutique Discretionary Fund Manager firm in Altrincham, Cathryn worked her way up and completed her Advanced Qualifications, achieving Chartered status in 2008. Not stopping there, Cathryn went on to complete the STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners) Diploma in Trusts and Estates and now acts on behalf of several Trusts and Charities. Cathryn works very closely with her clients, getting to know them and their families, their aspirations, as well as their financial circumstances. They trust her to manage their financial plans, helping them get to where they want to be in life. Out of work Cathryn is kept busy with her 2 young children's busy social lives! As and when time permits, Cathryn enjoys spending time in the beautiful Cheshire countryside and keeping fit at her local boxing gym.

Chelsea Borrow

Job Titles:

Compliance Assistant

Chris Jewson

Job Titles:

Head of Operations

Chris has worked within Financial Services for over 18 years and has spent most of his years in senior management positions. Chris has a track record of building successful teams with high client service standards. His success is driven by the commitment and desire to develop his team members to grow within the company, as well as to meet and exceed their individual aspirations. Chris is married and has 3 children so his spare time revolves around family activities. He enjoys football (when Liverpool win!) and still attempts to play games on a weekly basis, otherwise he likes nothing better than watching a good film on the couch with the ‘Jewson clan'.

Chris Newland

Job Titles:

Independent Financial Adviser

Chris graduated from Salford University with a BSc (Hons) in Economics in 1991. He later served as a Police Officer in Greater Manchester, but made the decision to leave the Police at the age of 31 to pursue a career in Financial Services. Chris started his own firm, Financial Solutions Limited, and joined the company in 2013 as an appointed representative. Chris has clients all over the North West covering Stockport, Bramhall and Wimslow. Chris is passionate about exceeding his clients' expectations, and this is reflected in the positive comments he receives on the Vouchedfor adviser review website. Chris helps his clients by understanding their lifestyle goals and needs rather than simply striving for unrealistic growth targets. By taking this more pragmatic and individual approach, it becomes easier to tie investment risk in with real objectives. Chris' clients are encouraged to take a greater degree of interest in their finances and engage with how they are going to attain the lifestyle they want in the future. Chris is married to Kat and they live in Stockport with their daughter Amy and three dogs. Chris's busy home life gives him good reason to maintain that all important work/life balance. Chris is a long suffering Manchester City fan and loves music of all types but predominantly rock, blues and house music. Chris's other passion is scuba diving which keeps him focussed on enjoying life.

Chris Spencer

Job Titles:

Independent Financial Adviser

Chris has worked in the Financial Services industry for over thirty years. In 2013 he became an Independent Financial Adviser and joined the company. Chris gained a great deal of experience, in all aspects of Financial Planning, through the various positions he has held and this now helps him a great deal in understanding matters from a client's point of view and knowing how best to help them. Financial products can sometimes be hard to understand. One of Chris's strengths is being able to explain things in a clear and concise way, so that clients are able to fully understand the issues that affect them and how he can help. Chris has had many comments from existing clients about how their financial circumstances are now much easier to understand. Chris is married with two older children, one of whom is at university. He enjoys going on holiday with his family and playing five-a-side football.

Diane Meese

Job Titles:

Client Support

Donna Parker

Job Titles:

Independent Financial Adviser

Donna has worked in Financial Services for over 17 years. She started her career with Lloyds Bank, progressing steadily to becoming a Financial Adviser in 2012. Donna then decided that she wanted to move into the Independent advice sector, joining Chadwick's IFA for a time before finally moving into her current role in April 2018. Donna provides a broad range of advice, to a varied client base, including high net worth clients, directors, professionals and retired clients. Donna takes pride in providing her clients with practical solutions to meet their financial aims and objectives. As an Independent Financial Adviser, Donna's emphasis is on maintaining a long-term relationship with her clients by providing them with a source of trusted advice that evolves over the years as their financial needs change. Donna is married to Matthew and has twins, Jaxx and Isla. She loves spending time with her family and going on many different adventures. In her spare time she likes to socialise with friends or take time out at the gym.

Eileen Elrick

Job Titles:

Client Support

Elliot Unsworth

Job Titles:

Head of Client Proposition

Elliot entered the Financial Planning profession shortly after graduating from University with a Mathematics degree nearly 12 years ago. In that time, he has gained experience in administration, paraplanning, compliance, advising and management. Elliot joined Astute in September 2021 and is now responsible for running our Liverpool Office as well as embedding true lifestyle Financial Planning into everything that we do. Although not a full-time role, Elliot is also regulated to give advice and is Chartered, Certified and a Fellow with the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments. Being a Manchester United supporter, he clearly works in the wrong part of the world and pays the price with his colleagues for his affiliations on a regular basis! He is an avid tennis player with Ormskirk Tennis Club, and has been known to "tinkle the ivories" in his spare time.

Elliott Potter

Job Titles:

Client Manager Support

Emily Martin

Job Titles:

Client Support

Emma Goldsmith

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Gary Lee

Job Titles:

Director - Astute Private Wealth & Astute Investment Management

Gary is not only a Chartered Financial Planner but also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Obtaining Fellowship is the highest academic status a UK Financial Adviser can obtain, which places Gary within a very small percentage of advisers operating in the UK. He has over 30 years of experience in personal and corporate financial planning and is a passionate advocate of the benefits of seeking quality independent financial advice. He works closely with high net worth individuals in managing all aspects of their financial affairs. His clients are professionals, entrepreneurs, wealthy private individuals and businesses. The service he provides is highly personalised, proactive and tailored specifically to clients' needs and objectives. This involves lifetime cash flow modelling, tax optimisation, retirement provision and estate planning.

Hannah Owen

Job Titles:

Head of Group Communications

Hannah has experience working as a Financial Adviser, dealing with pensions, investments, insurance, long-term care and mortgages. She also has experience working in discretionary investment management, and enjoys engaging with clients and talking all things macroeconomics. Hannah is responsible for communications across Astute Private Wealth and Astute Investment Management; she has a degree in mathematics, is qualified as a Chartered Associate of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, and has the CFA Level 4 Investment Management Certificate qualification. When not writing about the markets, Hannah enjoys trying her hand at all things cycling (including local time trials), swimming (in the pool and river alike) and running.

Helen Ralphs

Job Titles:

Compliance Manager

Helen has worked in Financial Services since 2007 (having previously worked with solicitors as a legal secretary). Helen has a wealth of experience, progressing from a financial services administrator into paraplanning and client management, then on to an IFA Office Manager role, and has now found her home within compliance. In addition to attaining Chartered status, Helen is also mortgage and equity release qualified and continues to study towards becoming a Fellow of The Personal Finance Society. In her spare time Helen is most likely to be found walking with her husband in her local area, gardening, or reading fiction and autobiographies.

Hope Ford

Job Titles:

Client Manager Support

Jane Butcher

Job Titles:

Compliance Manager

Jane has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1988 and started her career with the West Bromwich Building Society followed by Birmingham Midshires. In 2002, Jane became an Independent Financial Adviser for a firm in Shrewsbury and advised clients on all areas of financial planning for twelve years until she came back to live in North Wales. After spending 4 years with another local firm, latterly in a Compliance/Training role, Jane is now utilising her experience, assisting our compliance team. In her spare time, Jane enjoys walking her two dogs and spending time with her family and friends.

Janet Joshua - CFO

Job Titles:

Finance Director

Janet is responsible for the financial strategy of the business. She is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years' experience, training in practice at KPMG, before moving in to industry, predominantly within the Financial Services industry, holding a range of senior management and strategic planning roles. Outside of work, Janet enjoys family time with her husband, children and dog, and is a running enthusiast, with half marathon being her preferred distance.

Jenny Lloyd

Job Titles:

Client Support

Joanne Lawrenson

Job Titles:

Mortgage Adviser

Joanne is Astute's Mortgage Adviser. She has enjoyed working in financial services and helping clients to meet their financial goals since 2002. Joanne is passionate about client service and building long-term client relationships. Joanne started her successful career in NatWest Bank, progressing to become a Mortgage Adviser with them in 2007. She joined Astute directly from NatWest with the aspiration to work a wide range of lenders, offering her clients greater choice and peace of mind. Joanne's strengths are in mortgages. She is a fully-qualified mortgage adviser with the ability to help customers to buy a home, review their existing mortgage deal, and borrow additional funds to reach their goals or reduce outgoings. She can also assist with Buy To Let properties. Joanne Lives with her partner Craig and her three children Calum, Olivia and Max. Calum is an apprentice in Mechanical Engineering. Olivia and Max are still at school. Joanne's time out of the office is mainly family-focused. When she can, she likes to catch up with her friends, visit the gym or go to the cinema. Joanne has taken part in many events to raise funds for cancer charities, including a sky dive.

Joanne Lives

Job Titles:

Partner

Joe Kelly

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Karen Lee - Chief Compliance Officer

Job Titles:

Compliance Director

Karen has over 20 years of experience in Financial Services, initially as an Adviser, and then within Compliance. Her day-to-day role involves ensuring that the firm remains compliant with all aspects of Financial Conduct Authority regulation, which includes advice standards and Treating Customers Fairly. Karen is responsible for implementing effective risk controls and ensuring clients' best interests are served at all times through the provision of first class financial advice. She holds Chartered Financial Planner Status and uses her knowledge to assist the learning and development of Advisers and technical support staff. She lives with her husband and daughter, and when time allows outside of work, she enjoys running, Pilates and kettlebells, and also sings in a choir.

Kate Bowley

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Katie Rosser

Job Titles:

Compliance Manager

Katie has worked in Financial Services, supporting advisers since 2003 in roles including administration, paraplanning, training/development management and process improvement. Katie is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society as well as holding qualifications in Mortgages, Equity Release and Long Term care. As a Compliance Manager, Katie provides supervision to advisers, ensuring their ongoing competence within their roles, ultimately helping to ensure best advice for clients. In addition to this, Katie oversees the technical training needs of our advisers and client managers and is always keen to help develop others. Outside of work, when she isn't running after her 2 children, you'll find Katie watching a band, drawing/printing, reusing recycling or, most often, reading a book with a coffee in hand.

Lee Gould

Job Titles:

Chartered Financial Planner

Lee has over 30 years experience in the Financial Services Industry. He joined Williams Financial Planning Ltd in January 2005. Lee has considerable expertise in many areas of financial planning including inheritance tax planning, trust and tax planning and international investments. Lee is a qualified Chartered Financial Planner, the highest of the Chartered Insurance Institute's financial planning qualifications, and a qualified Pension Transfer Specialist. He also graduated with BA Hons from the University of Wales. Lee lives in Dodleston with his wife and children. In his leisure time, Lee is a keen sports fan, a lifelong supporter of Aston Villa and is still trying to master playing the guitar.

Lourdes da Silva

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Lucy Bateman

Job Titles:

Client Support

Luke Burman

Job Titles:

Client Manager
Member of the Investment Analyst - Astute Investment Management Team

Lynn Parker-Haworth

Job Titles:

Client Experience Manager

Lynn has worked in Financial Services for 31 years, working in various roles within the sector, taking time out along the way to have her children Owen and Abigale. She moved to the North West in 1990 and has lived and worked in the area since then. She has many years' experience of delivering a high standard of service to clients and now uses this experience to lead her team. Lynn has been part of the team since 2012 and prides herself in ensuring that her staff provide a high level of service to the company and its clients. Lynn enjoys helping her staff gain experience and confidence to personally develop within the company. Outside of work, Lynn enjoys taking regular exercise in the form of gym visits, long walks with her dog and socialising with family and friends.

Mark Ditchfield

Job Titles:

Independent Financial Adviser

Mark has worked with Astute since 2015, where he initially began working as an administrator before moving into the more technical paraplanning role, supporting financial planners with research and preparing recommendations. Taking an interest in the world of financial advice and with a passion for helping clients, he has since qualified as an Independent Financial Adviser (holding the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and Certificates in Mortgage and Equity Release), and now looks to help his own clients achieve their goals through clear, friendly and understandable advice. Outside of work, Mark has a passion for music from Motown to Modern Rock, playing guitar and going on walks and to concerts with his partner, Amy.

Mark Wignall

Job Titles:

Acquisitions Director

Mark has worked in financial services since 1979, with the vast majority of this time in senior management positions with the same company. Mark also has many years of experience in delivering high levels of client service, and advising in the areas of investments, pensions and life insurance. Although no longer personally giving financial advice to clients, Mark brought his considerable amount of financial services and people management experience to the IFA world in 2015, and now forms a key part of the senior management team. Mark has been married to Lynda for 30 years, and has two grown-up children, Jack and Amy. His interests outside work usually revolve around sport, freely admitting to being more of a fan nowadays rather than playing himself. A big football fan, Mark also does a bit of cycling (although he says not enough!), and likes to take time to travel as far and wide as possible… when time and funds permit of course!