Our people

Ian Thompson is an investment director and has over 30 years’ experience in the discretionary management of investment portfolios. After graduating in 1982 Ian joined Strauss Turnbull where he spent 20 years managing international portfolios for private individuals, trusts and corporate funds before joining Rathbones’ Edinburgh office in 2003. Ian became a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments in 1986.

Ivan began his investment management career in 1996 with Hargreave Hale, joining Rathbones from Gerrard Investment Management in 2005.

Having graduated in 1996 with honours in Politics, Economics and Law from the University of Buckingham he has gained the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Ivan Teare is an Investment Director, responsible for Rathbones’ Specialist Tax portfolios which incorporate AIM quoted Inheritance Tax and Enterprise Investment Scheme strategies.

Ivo Darnley is head of specialist and charity business, and continues to manage charity and private client portfolios. 

Ivo joined Rathbones after graduating from Edinburgh University in 1991 and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.  He was appointed an investment director of Rathbone Investment Management Limited in 1999 and joined the group executive committee in July 2015. 

Jaclyn King-Gibson began her investment career at Rathbones in 2004 and has worked in a smaller companies investment team that covers AIM quoted EIS and Business Property Relief investments for over a decade. She has been awarded the Private Client Investment Advice Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Jaclyn also holds the EIS Diploma and is a member of the Regional EIS Association Committee.

Jakov Agbaba is a Director of Risk Modelling and Analytics at Rathbones. He joined the company in May 2016, having previously worked for Lazard Asset Management as a Risk Manager. He spent 7 years at Lazard and covered European, Global and International Equity portfolios. Prior to that, Jakov worked for GAM, HSBC and Morningstar. He graduated from University of Westminster in 2002 with a BA (Hons) in Economics for Business. Jakov holds the Investment Management Certificate.

James Blosse-Lynch is an investment director in the London office and is responsible for managing investments for private clients, including their pensions, companies and charities. James also sits on the Investment Committee with responsibility for selecting North American collective investments.

Prior to joining Rathbones in 1997, and after graduating, James worked in financial public relations with ABS Communications.

James Campbell-Gray is an investment director. He specialises in private client portfolio management, associated trusts and self-invested pensions schemes as well as charities.

James started his investment career in 1985 with Sheppards and Chase, joining Rathbones in 1993. James is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

James Codrington is an investment director, joining Rathbones from Barings where he was head of charities for nine years. He focused upon absolute return mandates and managed the Targeted Return Common Investment Fund, one of the fastest growing charity funds in recent years. James previously worked at Deutsche Asset Management, Lazard Brothers and Teather & Greenwood, all in charity investment roles. From 1988 to 1994 he served in the British Army. James has an MA (First Class) in Modern History from Oxford University, has written numerous articles on absolute return in the charity press and is a regular speaker at charity events and investment conferences.

James Cooke is an Investment Director. He manages a range of private client portfolios, pension funds, trusts and charities and also chairs the UK Collectives Research Committee. James achieved a BA Hons in History/Art History and a Masters Degree in Business Studies & New Business Enterprise, both at Oxford Brooks University.  

James joined Rathbones in 2007 from Citigroup Smith Barney wealth management where he had worked since 2004 specialising in US individuals and trusts.

James Coppell joined Rathbones in June 2015. He started his career in 2010 with the RBS Wealth Management graduate scheme which entailed roles with Coutts & Co in London and Adam & Company in Edinburgh. Latterly he became a Private Banker with Adam & Company, managing a portfolio of high net worth clients. James is a member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments and is currently studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification.  James holds a first class honours degree in Economics (BSc).

James Douglas-Withers is an investment director, graduating from the University of Warwick in 2002 with a BSc (Hons) in Maths and Philosophy. He subsequently worked for Friends Provident for a year before joining Rathbones in 2003, working for the Unit Trust division.

James joined the private client business of Rathbones in 2007 and is a member of Rathbones’ Stock Selection Committee. He has worked for various different investment teams around the business and has gained a thorough knowledge of the services offered by the company.

James has passed the Investment Management Certificate and is also a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charterholder.

James is the regional director of the Bristol office. In addition to his management responsibilities, he manages investment portfolios for charities, individuals, trusts and self-invested personal pensions. He also sits on Rathbones’ IT Steering, Training and Social & Environmental Committees.

James started his career in stockbroking in Bristol in 1984, and joined Rathbones in 1996. He is a graduate of Cambridge University with an MA (Hons) in English Literature, and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. In his spare time, James is a governor of Red Maids School in Bristol and he is the treasurer of a local triathlon club. James also holds a black belt in Taekwondo; he is a member of the Clifton Club, the Bristol & Clifton Golf Club and an associate member of MCC.

James joined Rathbones from UBS Wealth Management where he was a director in the Newcastle office. He has 20 years investment industry experience and prior to joining UBS in 2005 he worked at Gerrard Investment Management.

James specialises in the management of charities, pension funds and trust portfolios. He sits on the Rathbone Collectives committee and has particular responsibility for research and selection of global equities funds for the group.

James holds a Masters degree from University of Northumbria, the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI. He is also vice-chair of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Development Trust.

James Goodhew joined the Private Client department of Rathbones in 2004 as a graduate trainee, and now manages approximately £400m of client portfolios.
James won a Scholarship at Harrow School and subsequently studied for a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography at Bristol University. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, won the Wealth Management Association award for achieving a top Distinction in the Private Client Diploma Examination in 2006 and was named one of PAM’s ‘Top 40 under 40’ in 2016. 
James is a member of the Fixed Income & Macro Research Committee, with specific responsibility for Targeted Return Strategies. He has also sat on the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment Review Panel.

James is Head of Sales support for Rathbones’ distribution to financial advisers. He is responsible for business development co-ordination and the support provided to adviser firms in their use of our discretionary services.

James has worked for Rathbones since 2012 and within financial services since 1987.  Previously he was Director of Marketing and Business Development for a regional discretionary investment firm. As well as the experience of working within the DFM industry since 2005, James has also enjoyed spells as an IFA within three different national advisory practices.

James's 20 plus year career in portfolio and investment management began in the early 1990s after brief liaisons with the army and retail management. He joined Neilson Cobbold, an established Liverpool private client stockbroker, which then seamlessly merged with Rathbones in the mid 1990s. James and his team provide long term consistency.

His experience is recognised by being a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. James is also a Chartered Wealth Manager and has a Securities Institute Diploma (Private Client Portfolio Management, Interpretation of Financial Statements & Fund Management). He is a Bachelor of the Arts (Hons) and a Master of Science.

James focuses on portfolio management for private clients, families, trusts, estates, pensions and charities - alongside and supporting client advisors as appropriate. Listed by Citywire in the Top 20 Wealth Managers in Liverpool, citing expertise and longevity in 2011/12. James is also listed in the Citywire Top 100 of the most regarded and influential people in the UK for private client investment fund selection 2013/14 and 2014/15.

In addition to two Rathbone committee roles in fund selection and working with Solicitors and Accountants: James is a Consul of Sweden. He has the honour of being Knight 1st Class, The Royal Order of The Polar Star

James is an Investment Director and works closely with Russell Crichton, managing portfolios for a wide range of clients. James is a very experienced member of the team with a keen interest in and knowledge of taxation matters.

James joined Speirs & Jeffrey straight from school in 1971. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Speirs & Jeffrey was fully integrated with Rathbones in July 2019.

James is an investment director in the Rathbones Newcastle office having helped establish the office in the city in 2013.  He started his career in the wealth management industry in 1998 and has previously worked at Brewin Dolphin and UBS.  James is part of the specialist personal injury and Court of Protection team at Rathbones and has advised deputies and connected individuals in this area for over a decade.

James graduated in Law from Newcastle University in 1998, holds the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.  He currently sits on the Appeals Committee of St Oswald’s Hospice charity and is a former trustee of the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

James Mayes is an investment director and is responsible for running portfolios on behalf of private clients, small charities, self-invested pension schemes and trusts. He has a BSc (Hons) in business finance and economics, and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

James joined Rathbones in 1990 after spending a number of years working at Sheppards.

James joined Rathbones in 2014 following the purchase of the Jupiter Private Clients & Charities department where he had worked since 2011. Prior to that he qualified as a solicitor at Boodle Hatfield after reading English Literature at Durham University and attending BPP Law School.

James has completed the Investment Management Certificate and the CISI Masters in Wealth Management.

James works in a team assisting in the management of portfolios for individuals, families, trusts, pension funds and charities.

James graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2010 with an honours degree in Law. After spending time abroad, he joined Speirs & Jeffrey in June 2012.

James is an Investment Manager and manages portfolios for his growing client base, while also working closely with Graeme Dickie. He is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. Speirs & Jeffrey was full integrated with Rathbones in July 2019.

James Neill is an investment director and joined in April 2012 having worked at Newton Investment Management Limited for 12 years. He is responsible for a wide range of clients including private portfolios, family trusts, charities and personal pension plans. He is a graduate from Aston University with a BSc in Managerial and Administrative Studies. He is an associate member of both the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments and the CFA.

James Pettit is an investment director and has the Investment Management Certificate and an MSc in banking and international finance from City University Business School.

James joined Rathbones in January 2008 as an investment manager. Prior to joining Rathbones, James worked at HSBC Investments for four years, specialising in the management of portfolios for charities and other not-for-profit organisations. At HSBC James was a member of its investment trust committee, covering Asia and emerging markets. Prior to HSBC, James worked at State Street Global Advisors, the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. James sits on the Collectives Research Committee at Rathbones, covering infrastructure funds.

James Thomson has been lead manager of the Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund for the past 14 years and it is one of the top performing funds in the IA Global sector.   

James joined Rathbones in 2000, having grown up on the island of Bermuda and graduating from Cornell University in New York. He holds the Investment Management Certificate, is a fellow of the Securities Institute and was appointed to the Board of Rathbone Unit Trust Management in 2006. 

James has been involved with the management of the Rathbone Global Opportunities Fund since its inception in 2001 and was appointed co-manager in 2003 and sole manager in 2005. He is frequently quoted in the financial press and has won numerous fund management awards over his 17-year career.

After graduating from Brunel University in 2008, James joined Lloyds TSB Private Banking in Exeter as an Investment Reviewer. In 2010 he moved to London and worked briefly as an Associate Equity Dealer before joining Smith & Williamson in 2011. James joined Rathbones as an Investment Manager in 2014.

James manages a range of portfolios for private clients, including pensions, charities and trusts.

James is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) and passed the CISI Masters in Wealth Management in 2013.

James is an investment manager with experience managing a variety of bespoke portfolios for private clients, including SIPPs, charities, offshore bonds and discretionary trusts.

James completed the CFA Program in June 2010, having previously obtained the SII Diploma. He is a member of both the CFA Institute and CISI. He also holds a Masters in Mathematics from the University of Warwick.

James moved to Rathbones in May 2010 having previously been an Assistant Vice President at Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management, formerly Tilney Investment Management. He has been in the industry since his graduation in 2005.

James has eighteen years experience in financial markets and is in his tenth year at Rathbones. Graduating from Rhodes University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Management, Economics and Industrial Sociology, he then joined Flemings as a graduate and worked his way to senior dealer. James is the Chairman of the Asia, Emerging Markets and Commodities fund selection committee and as well as managing private clients, trusts, pensions and charities, he is also the regional coordinator for the Discretionary Fund Management Services Committee representing the South East.

James is a member of King Hill Community Church; advises socially responsible investment projects into Southern Africa. He lives in Kent with his wife Lorel.

James works within the investment team as an Equity Analyst.  He joined Fund Manager Alexandra Jackson on the UK Opportunities Fund.  James joined Rathbones in June 2015, previously focusing on the management of private client portfolios and charitable trusts.

He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a BSc Hons in Biology. James also holds the CFA level one and two, and is a candidate for level three.

Jane Sydenham is an investment director, specialising in the management of portfolios for individuals, family groups and their associated trusts, charities and pension funds.

Jane is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. She is also a member of Rathbones Asset allocation committee responsible for communicating Rathbones investment views and recommendations to clients and the media,appearing regularly on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4,as well as Wake up to Money on BBC Radio 5. Jane also contributes to the FT,Times and other titles on issues relevant to private clients.

Jane started her career with mid sized private client firm Montagu Loebl Stanley in 1987,before a takeover by Robert Fleming,in 1989 .Jane became a Director of Fleming Private Asset Management in 1999,and joined Rathbones in 2001 following a takeover of Robert Fleming by Chase Manhattan,and a subsequent merger with JPMorgan.

Jane is an investment director working with both Greenbank and the London Charities team. She graduated in 1998 with an honours degree in Economics from Nottingham University and is a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and a Chartered Wealth Manager.

She trained at Tilney in Liverpool, managing portfolios for private clients, trusts, pensions and charities, before moving to Brown Shipley & Co, where she became a voting member of the firm’s Investment Policy Committee, providing equity research and guidance for the wider firm, and was involved in managing the in-house UK equity funds.

Jane joined Barclays’ portfolio management team in 2008 where she became a specialist in managing bespoke and ethical portfolios on behalf of Charity clients, and was a voting member of Barclays UK Equity Committee and the Charity Investment Committee.