Our team

What I’ll do for you:

• I can advise you on all pension & investment matters.
• I’ll analyse our recommended funds on a monthly basis.
• I’ll meet with you regularly to review your portfolio.

My job is to make sure you are 100% satisfied, all the time.

I served my time in a 17 year ‘financial apprenticeship’ at investment companies including Brown Shipley private bank, Albany Life and Scottish Equitable, before I set up Oaklands Wealth in 2004.

I had served hundreds of advisers and taken mental notes on the service their clients received, or too often didn’t receive.

I thought we could do better. I believed many people wanted more personal, unbiased advice, based on their unique needs and looking to their long term benefit. And I believed we should be judged on results.

So I resolved from Day 1 that clients should be treated as individuals and their investment portfolios should reflect that – and be regularly reviewed. We have never undertaken any business that does not hold us to account year after year.

It makes my day when clients say how well we have understood them as individuals and what difference our advice has made to their lives. That’s when I feel we’ve done a good job.

In my spare time I gravitate towards the countryside either on horseback or my own legs, training for runs so I can keep up with my young daughter who could give Mo Farah a run for his money!

What I’ll do for you:

• I can advise you on all pension & investment matters.
• I’ll run cashflow projections for your retirement.
• I’ll meet with you regularly to review your portfolio.

I have joined Oaklands as Senior Investment Advisor and I’m looking forward to building long term relationships with our clients, helping them achieve their financial goals.

My 34 years experience in pensions and investments has been gained working in client service and advice roles for both independent advisors and national firms. My specialism is pensions, where my goal is to demystify and make understandable what is often seen as being a very complex area.

Outside work I keep myself busy with DIY and car building which keeps the engineering side of my persona happy! Downtime includes enjoying craft beer and real ale and travel. UK City breaks, Spain, Italy and Croatia are my favourite destinations.

What I’ll do for you:

• I manage the Business Administration Team & the Client Services Team.
• I’ll book your appointments with Helen and Nick.
• I send you our investment and service updates.
• You are welcome to call me if unsure who to speak to.

Since 2005 I have supported the Directors every day, co-ordinating their diaries, preparing monthly reports to the Board and overseeing the financial monitoring and accounting aspects of the business.

I also manage communications with clients and professional colleagues and arrange the calendar of events throughout the year.

In 2012 I dusted off my ballet shoes and when I am not in the office I am reliving my childhood pleasure of dancing after 12 years.

I have 3 main objectives to achieve at Oaklands.

My first is to ensure all our systems and processes are lean and efficient so we can deliver a secure, effective service, time after time. Quite simply, if our systems serve us well we can serve you better.

Good systems free up time for our people to spend on the things that really matter – being able to speak with you personally and manage your portfolio.

My second objective is to market our service to potential clients and their lawyers and accountants, so we can support them all in a complementary way.

My third is to keep an eye on our own finances so Oaklands continues to thrive and be there for clients long term.

Beyond work I persevere with a couple of major goals of running faster marathons and playing acoustic and electric guitar to a decent standard. Both require ‘mind over matter’ to improve!

My job is to apply the wisdom of experience.

I help the senior management team to continually improve the service we offer; to advise, comment, suggest – and sometimes warn.

Like Helen, I could see there was room for something better in the realm of financial advice. This was after having spent a lifetime – 40 years – in financial services.

I built a large Independent Financial Advice company in the West Midlands dealing with many national firms and senior executives.

As the Chair I get great satisfaction from applying the knowledge I gained (including those things I learned not to do) a second time around.

We hold regular Board meetings to discuss our investment approach, client service and ensure we meet all regulatory and financial requirements.

Ultimately it is up to me to hold the Board accountable for keeping our promise – of providing a quality of service, second to none.

In my own time I now take the opportunity to travel to interesting parts of the World and some long distant walks across our own beautiful countryside.

What I’ll do for you:

• I can help with top-ups or withdrawals to your investments.
• Retirement income projections.
• If your accountant requires tax information I can provide that too.
• I assist the advisers with preparing your reports for pensions, investments & defined benefit transfers.

I worked in my previous administration and paraplanning role for 21 years. Now in my fourth year with the Oaklands team, I have loved the variety of work and it is very refreshing working closely with people who share the same values as I do.

My role is very varied and it is very refreshing working closely with a team who have the same values as I do.

I especially love speaking to the clients and helping them with any queries.

Outside work my interests are keeping fit, travelling and spending time with my family.

What I’ll do for you:

• I can answer queries on your Pensions and Investments.
• You can call me if you require projections, withdrawals, top-ups or valuations.
• As part of the project team, I am always investigating ways in which we may improve the Customers Oaklands experience.

Starting with a Business and Finance Degree in 1995 and 24 years of financial services experience, my role here as Project Co-ordinator makes the most of having worn so many hats. I love the fact this role covers a variety of projects to develop our service to clients, with no two days the same.

The work ethic of the team at Oaklands is outstanding. Every client is treated with the utmost respect, and the level of service provided by each member of the team is second to none. The office is extremely friendly and we are very much looked after by Helen, Giles and Grahame. It’s lovely to work somewhere where you feel that your opinion counts.

Out of work, I have two teenage daughters, one who studies Karate and another who is Netball crazy. When you add to that a husband who is slightly potty it makes for a hectic, but very enjoyable life! I personally like nothing better than to sit in a cosy corner somewhere with a book.

What I’ll do for you:

• I can help with top-ups or withdrawals to your investments.
• I prepare documentation for your review meetings.
• I process any new pension and investments you make.
• You can call me to request valuations, updates or withdrawals.

After 9 years experience working with other financial advisers, and gaining a financial services degree, I joined the Oaklands Team four years ago as a Client Services Administrator.

I have been made welcome by the great team that we have here and it’s refreshing to work for a company that are so client focused where nothing is too much trouble. I enjoy the variety in my role where no day is the same and I like the interaction we have with clients on a daily basis.

Outside of work usually involves being Mom’s Taxi, taking my children to various activities. When I do relax I like going to watch the football, cinema and socialising with friends.

What I’ll do for you:

• You will often speak to me as your first point of contact.
• I’ll make sure you feel welcome, relaxed and provide refreshments.
• I’m also here to book in your review meetings.

My role with Oaklands is to help and support Bridie as part of her Business Administration Team, as well as meeting and greeting clients, which I really enjoy.

I am usually the first contact for prospective clients and my role is to organise their initial meetings before passing them over to our client servicing team. I love the variety in my role and no one day is the same as the next.

My passion is traveling, having a completed a world trip when I was 27, many moons ago. I also love to socialise and spend quality time with my family.

My role is to provide bookkeeping and administration services to the Oaklands Directors using my 10 years experience in one of the largest accountancy firms in the Midlands.

As a bit of a stickler for detail, I ensure all the financial reporting is spot on to meet with the Oaklands Board and FCA regulatory requirements.

The Oaklands team are always approachable, efficient and friendly and I very much enjoy a good working relationship with all of them.

My interests outside of work include keeping fit and travel.

What I’ll do for you:

• You’ll hear from me when you are due a review meeting
• I can book or rearrange review appointments with an adviser.
• I send you charity donation letters following your review or when you refer a client to us.

I enjoy being able to apply my organisational experience at Oaklands, having gained a variety of skills within my hospitality management roles over the last 20 years.

Day to day, I assist Bridie and her Business Administration Team and you will hear from me when you are due a review meeting with our advisers.

Outside of work, I have a busy family life, going through teenage & toddler years at the same time.

Twelve months ago, I set up a mother & toddler group within my local area, just to add a bit more to my hectic life!

What I’ll do for you:

• I can help with top-ups or withdrawals to your investments.
• I prepare documentation for your review meetings.
• I process any new pension and investments you make.
• You can call me to request valuations, updates or withdrawals.

I have 7 years of experience working within a financial advisory environment; within that time I have achieved the Investment Advice Diploma. I look forward to continuing my professional development here at Oaklands.

I have only recently joined Oaklands as a Client Services Administrator and I really enjoy how diverse the role is. The Oaklands team have made me feel welcome and valued; it’s a pleasure to work alongside such a professional, dedicated, and caring team.

Outside of work, I spend my time studying towards a psychology degree, keeping fit and reading. I also enjoy travelling and socialising with friends and family.