Rathbones Inspire

Sharing knowledge and expertise with our community of founders.

We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs, founders and business owners on their growth journey. Our aim is to support and engage with the UK’s diverse community of entrepreneurs.

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What is Rathbones Inspire?

Rathbones Inspire has been created to give business leaders and their senior teams the opportunity to engage with talented peers, gain invaluable insights, access subject matter experts, and build new connections to further strengthen their businesses. 

Our Rathbones Inspire community members gain access to exclusive content, regular networking opportunities and deep expertise that could help you and your team manage the key growth challenges around capital, clients, and people.

There is no charge, or an obligation to release equity. All we ask of you is your time and a desire to take an active part in the programme.

Programme

Access to content via masterclasses and other events, access to experts and to a wider entrepreneurial community.
Programme
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Who can join?

Rathbones Inspire is available to founders, business owners and their leadership team
Who can join?
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Inspiring insights

The latest news and views from Rathbones for entrepreneurs.
Inspiring insights

What our community think about Inspire

During the preparing for an exit interview, Paola’s comment that when leaving a sales meeting "always make sure that the potential client also has work to do" was my biggest key takeaway.
 
Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

The most valuable learning or take away from the Fundraising event was the session with founders. They were honest and helpful. Adam Baron was also great.

Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

In the digital age, sometimes our first action may be to contact investors via LinkedIn etc but nothing can replace real life human interaction, and how people feel after they’ve seen you in person. At an early stage, your passion, your drive and the gleam in your eyes can go a long way.

Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

Revisit our past events
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Inspired Sounds podcast

A thought leadership podcast for entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders.

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Our Team

Ian Dembinski

Ian Dembinski

Strategic partner and growth director

Ian Dembinski

Strategic partner and growth director

London

Ian joined Rathbones in 2016 as Head of Rathbones Private Office with a focus on serving larger high net worth clients including entrepreneurs, families and successful individuals looking for tailored investment management services. In July 2019 he was appointed to a wider role of Head of Client Development with responsibility for delivering the optimal Rathbones investment solutions to our clients including portfolio management, financial planning, trusts and international services. Following our merger with Investec wealth management, he has in addition been asked to lead the Strategic partnership with Investec bank offering their lending solutions to our wealth management clients and our investment solutions to the Bank’s clients.

Prior to joining Rathbones, he was head of UK domestic private banking at Credit Suisse and head of UK ultra high net worth clients at UBS. He is level 6 PCIAM qualified and studied modern history at Queen’s College Oxford University.

Ian joined Rathbones in 2016 as Head of Rathbones Private Office with a focus on serving larger high net worth clients including entrepreneurs, families and successful individuals looking for tailored investment management services. In July 2019 he was appointed to a wider role of Head of Client Development with responsibility for delivering the optimal Rathbones investment solutions to our clients including portfolio management, financial planning, trusts and international services. Following our merger with Investec wealth management, he has in addition been asked to lead the Strategic partnership with Investec bank offering their lending solutions to our wealth management clients and our investment solutions to the Bank’s clients.Prior to joining Rathbones, he was head of UK domestic private banking at Credit Suisse and head of UK ultra high net worth clients at UBS. He is level 6 PCIAM qualified and studied modern history at Queen’s College Oxford University.
Ian Dembinski
Jake Wellesley-Smith

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Client development director - North

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Client development director - North

Kendal

Jake joined Rathbones in 2020.  He spearheads the client development activities across the North of England and the Midlands, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.

Jake started his career in finance at Lombard Street Research before moving into the private client investment world with Border Asset Management in Cumbria.  He joined Rathbones after 7 years working for Aberdeen Standard Capital (formerly Standard Life Wealth) following the acquisition of Newton Investment Management's private client arm in 2013.  

Jake is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Jake joined Rathbones in 2020.  He spearheads the client development activities across the North of England and the Midlands, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships. Jake started his career in finance at Lombard Street Research before moving into the private client investment world with Border Asset Management in Cumbria.  He joined Rathbones after 7 years working for Aberdeen Standard Capital (formerly Standard Life Wealth) following the acquisition of Newton Investment Management's private client arm in 2013.   Jake is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
Jake Wellesley-Smith
Matthew Carr

Matthew Carr

Client development director - South

Matthew Carr

Client development director - South

Winchester

Matthew joined Rathbones in 2021 to spearhead the client development activities across the South and South West of England. He has responsibility for delivering the wide range of Rathbones services to our clients and is leading the development and management of intermediary relationships across the region.

Matthew started his career in the British Army, before joining Reuters Ltd in London and then Asia. Whilst in Asia, Matthew moved into banking, working for Credit Agricole and subsequently BNP Paribas Equities and Derivatives, returning to London with BNPP. He went on to build an ETF business at Rabobank, before joining Credit Suisse Private Banking in London, where he led the business development team. 

Matthew joined Rathbones in 2021 to spearhead the client development activities across the South and South West of England. He has responsibility for delivering the wide range of Rathbones services to our clients and is leading the development and management of intermediary relationships across the region. Matthew started his career in the British Army, before joining Reuters Ltd in London and then Asia. Whilst in Asia, Matthew moved into banking, working for Credit Agricole and subsequently BNP Paribas Equities and Derivatives, returning to London with BNPP. He went on to build an ETF business at Rabobank, before joining Credit Suisse Private Banking in London, where he led the business development team. 
Matthew Carr
Melanie Wotherspoon

Melanie Wotherspoon

Head of Professional Intermediary Business Development

Melanie Wotherspoon

Head of Professional Intermediary Business Development

London

Melanie joined Rathbones in 2014 after spending the previous seven years at Jupiter. Prior to that, she was at Baring Asset Management, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and EY. She gained international experience working for HSBC in Hong Kong, San Francisco and Mumbai. Melanie is a Chartered Accountant, has a degree in Systems and Management from City University, London and is a Chartered Member of the CISI. She is both a trustee and member of the Investment Committee for the Francis C Scott Charitable Trust that commits over £1m a year to areas of deprivation in Cumbria and North Lancashire. Melanie is also a member of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants.

Melanie joined Rathbones in 2014 after spending the previous seven years at Jupiter. Prior to that, she was at Baring Asset Management, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and EY. She gained international experience working for HSBC in Hong Kong, San Francisco and Mumbai. Melanie is a Chartered Accountant, has a degree in Systems and Management from City University, London and is a Chartered Member of the CISI. She is both a trustee and member of the Investment Committee for the Francis C Scott Charitable Trust that commits over £1m a year to areas of deprivation in Cumbria and North Lancashire. Melanie is also a member of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants.
Melanie Wotherspoon
Paola Cuneo

Paola Cuneo

Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement

Paola Cuneo

Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement

London

Paola joined Rathbones in January 2020 to head up the engagement with entrepreneurs.

Previously Paola worked for the  London Stock Exchange Group where she led the community of entrepreneurs and the Private Market,  connecting companies with capital. Paola also ran EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and she set up and ran a programme for the Department of International trade aimed at helping foreign graduates to set up their businesses in the UK providing access to capital, mentoring and business advises.

Paola is a mentor and a regular contributor for RisingWISE, a combined initiative of Cambridge and Oxford University supporting women in STEM who have aspirations to become entrepreneurs.

Paola joined Rathbones in January 2020 to head up the engagement with entrepreneurs. Previously Paola worked for the  London Stock Exchange Group where she led the community of entrepreneurs and the Private Market,  connecting companies with capital. Paola also ran EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and she set up and ran a programme for the Department of International trade aimed at helping foreign graduates to set up their businesses in the UK providing access to capital, mentoring and business advises. Paola is a mentor and a regular contributor for RisingWISE, a combined initiative of Cambridge and Oxford University supporting women in STEM who have aspirations to become entrepreneurs.
Paola Cuneo
Ramsay Wilson

Ramsay Wilson

Client development director - Scotland

Ramsay Wilson

Client development director - Scotland

Glasgow

Ramsay joined Rathbones in 2023. He spearheads the client development activities across Scotland, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.

Ramsay started his career in 2007 as a Trainee Investment Manager with Brewin Dolphin in London before moving to Switzerland to work for a Zurich based Hedge Fund.

Since returning to Scotland in 2014, Ramsay has held client facing investment roles with a large Family Office, Swiss Bank and a Global Investment Manager.

Ramsay holds an MSc in Investment Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.

Ramsay joined Rathbones in 2023. He spearheads the client development activities across Scotland, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.Ramsay started his career in 2007 as a Trainee Investment Manager with Brewin Dolphin in London before moving to Switzerland to work for a Zurich based Hedge Fund.Since returning to Scotland in 2014, Ramsay has held client facing investment roles with a large Family Office, Swiss Bank and a Global Investment Manager.Ramsay holds an MSc in Investment Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.
Ramsay Wilson

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