Our Financial Planning Team

Emma Watson

Head of financial planning

London emma.watson@rathbones.com

Emma Watson

Head of financial planning

London emma.watson@rathbones.com

Emma joined Rathbones in July 2016 as Director of financial planning strategy to oversee the growth of the financial planning team and the development of the strategy. In October 2018 she became the Head of financial planning and has overseen a period of growth with the size of the team more than doubling.

Emma has over 20 years’ experience in financial planning having initially worked in the Financial Planning division of EY and subsequently spent 12 years at Towry where she carried out a number of different roles, seeing the business grow from 40 people to over 1,100. Emma has a degree in linguistics from Reading University and is a Chartered Financial Planner.

Kirstie McKeown

Financial planning director

Newcastle Kirstie.McKeown@rathbones.com

Kirstie McKeown

Financial planning director

Newcastle Kirstie.McKeown@rathbones.com

Kirstie joined Rathbones in February 2013 to assist in establishing the Newcastle office. Previously she spent over 25 years working for Lloyds Private Banking and Lloyds TSB Independent Financial Advisers. Kirstie is part of the specialist personal injury and Court of Protection team at Rathbones and has advised deputies and trustees in this area for over a decade.

Kirstie qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner in 2007 and became a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society in 2008.  She specialises in the provision of holistic financial planning to high-net-worth individuals.

Alanah Fleming

Financial planner

Glasgow Alanah.Fleming@rathbones.com

Alanah Fleming

Financial planner

Glasgow Alanah.Fleming@rathbones.com

Alanah joined Rathbones in 2015 and has over 11 years’ experience in the industry having previously worked for Brewin Dolphin.  

She holds the both the Chartered Financial Planner designation and Fellow status from the Personal Finance Society.  She is also studying towards the Internationally recognised Financial planner TM certification from the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.  

Alanah is passionate about proving a holistic financial planning service including matters such as tax planning, Retirement income planning, Inheritance tax and estate planning.  

Alex Welsh

Senior financial planner

Winchester alex.welsh@rathbones.com

Alex Welsh

Senior financial planner

Winchester alex.welsh@rathbones.com

Alex joined Rathbones after 10 years with a regional Chartered Financial Planning and Accountancy practice based in West Sussex.

Being a Chartered Financial Planner and one of the few in the UK to be accredited by the legal body Resolution, he has a depth of experience in all areas of planning for every life stage. This ranges from tax efficient investing to retirement planning to estate and long-term care planning.

Working alongside an accountancy practice for many years, Alex has a strong understanding of tax and trust legislation, as well as extensive knowledge of the pensions system which has seen him act as expert witness for the courts on a number of occasions as well as mentoring colleagues. 

In 2015, he was named in the UK’s top 35 financial advisers aged under 35.

Alex is passionate about getting to know his clients, building lasting relationships providing a friendly, personable service. He most enjoys helping clients understand complex financial matters by making them seem simple, explaining concepts in relatable and meaningful terms.

Alexander Gudiens

Senior financial planner

London Alexander.Gudiens@rathbones.com

Alexander Gudiens

Senior financial planner

London Alexander.Gudiens@rathbones.com

Alex is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and also holds the Investment Management Certificate (CFA). He joined Rathbones in 2019 and has significant knowledge and experience in providing the advice and direction which enables clients to meet their financial goals.

Alex helps on a broad range of areas including investment structuring, wealth preservation, retirement planning and legacy planning.

Previously, Alex managed the financial planning team at Kleinwort Benson and was awarded “Best Wealth Planning Team” at the WealthBriefing European Awards, 2017.

Ben Shaw

Financial planner

London Ben.Shaw@rathbones.com

Ben Shaw

Financial planner

London Ben.Shaw@rathbones.com

Ben joined Rathbones Financial Planning in 2017 and is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. He passionately believes in the value of tailored holistic financial planning and working with clients to help them achieve their lifetime objectives. Ben advises clients across a broad range of areas including wealth preservation, investment structuring, retirement planning as well as succession and inheritance tax planning. He takes a proactive approach to ensure clients are reassured that they are making the right decisions with their wealth.

Ben graduated from the University of York in 2009 with a BSc (Hons) in Environment, Economics and Ecology. Ben also has a Masters from the University of Leeds in Engineering Geology. He previously worked as an Environmental Manager on large national infrastructure projects before moving to Rathbones to pursue a career within Financial Planning.

Bradley Wright

Financial planner

London Bradley.Wright@rathbones.com

Bradley Wright

Financial planner

London Bradley.Wright@rathbones.com

Brad joined Rathbones as a financial planner in 2021 following a move cross-country to London from the south-west and specialises in providing advice to clients and their representatives within Rathbones’ Court of Protection team. With over 8 years’ of experience within the financial planning and wealth management profession, he brings a range of experience from a career spent at large regional firms in a variety of different roles and is passionate about delivering the right outcome, providing tailored financial advice and tax structuring for personal injury claimants and clients in later life.

Brad holds a master’s degree in Commercial Law from the University of Edinburgh and prior to this, gained a first class honours degree in European Business Management.

Christopher Bartlett

Financial planning director

Newcastle Christopher.Bartlett@rathbones.com

Christopher Bartlett

Financial planning director

Newcastle Christopher.Bartlett@rathbones.com

Chris joined Rathbones from a national independent financial adviser and as well as being a Chartered Financial Planner is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Chris has been advising individuals and businesses since 1998 on investment, pension and inheritance tax. His areas of specialism include the planning relating to drawing benefits from pension plans and the use of trusts as part of family financial planning. Chris ensures that all of his clients examine all areas of financial planning to help them and their families plan in an ever-increasing complex world.

David Nelson

Financial planning director

London David.Nelson@rathbones.com

David Nelson

Financial planning director

London David.Nelson@rathbones.com

David is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. He joined Rathbones in April 2016 from the multi-family office Stonehage Fleming. David began his financial planning career in 2004 and over that time has provided effective counsel to a varied portfolio of wealthy individuals and families. He has a large professional network and works hard to ensure his clients receive the best possible outcomes and ongoing service.

David has been recognised as one the UK’s leading HNW Wealth Managers in the Spear’s 500, is highlighted on the Citywealth Leaders List and earlier in his career was named in Private Client Practitioner’s Top 35 under 35 on three occasions. He was awarded the inaugural Spear’s ‘young turk’ Wealth Manager of the Year title in 2012.

Ed Boswell

Financial planner

Bristol ed.boswell@rathbones.com

Ed Boswell

Financial planner

Bristol ed.boswell@rathbones.com

Ed Boswell is a Chartered Financial Planner dedicated to helping individuals, families, and entrepreneurs achieve their financial goals. With a 1st class honours degree in Accounting and Finance from Bristol Business School, Ed has been providing personalised advice to clients in Bristol and the South West since 2015.

Beginning his career at Hargreaves Lansdown in 2011, Ed joined Rathbones in 2022. He brings expertise in areas such as protecting wealth, investment and retirement planning, succession and inheritance tax planning, and working with entrepreneurs to plan for their future, all while respecting clients' values and priorities.

In his role at Rathbones, Ed is committed to understanding his clients' aspirations and providing holistic financial planning advice that aligns with their ethical and ESG preferences. His focus on building lasting relationships enables him to support clients through every stage of their financial journey, helping them make informed decisions and reach their goals

Grant McEwan

Financial planner

Glasgow Grant.McEwan@rathbones.com

Grant McEwan

Financial planner

Glasgow Grant.McEwan@rathbones.com

Grant graduated from Heriot-Watt University in 2014 with a first class degree in Business Management with Marketing. After working for Merck in the pharmaceutical industry, Grant completed the CFA UK’s Investment Management Certificate. In 2016 Grant joined Carbon Financial Partners as a graduate trainee and completed the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2017. Since joining Rathbones in 2018 as a client service executive, he passed the CII Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and was later promoted to financial planning assistant. Grant then became a financial planner at Rathbones after completing our internal training programme and he now provides holistic financial planning to clients looking for answers to ‘big picture’ questions often concerning retirement goals, intergenerational wealth planning and protection needs. Grant is a Chartered Financial Planner as well as a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Gregory Winter

Senior financial planner

Liverpool Gregory.Winter@rathbones.com

Gregory Winter

Senior financial planner

Liverpool Gregory.Winter@rathbones.com

Greg is an experienced financial planner who enjoys working closely with his clients covering all aspects of wealth management. He advises clients across a broad range of areas such as; wealth accumulation, investment management, structuring investments to maximise tax efficiency, retirement planning, wealth preservation and inheritance tax planning.

Prior to joining Rathbones Greg worked at Tilney Smith & Williamson. He is a Chartered Wealth Manager and a Chartered Financial Planner, he is also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Greg studied Economics at Lancaster University and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

James Bowman

Senior Financial Planner

London James.Bowman@rathbones.com

James Bowman

Senior Financial Planner

London James.Bowman@rathbones.com

James is a Chartered Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).  James recently joined Rathbones Financial Planning and has over 20 years’ experience of helping people grow, protect and enjoy their wealth, sometimes over several generations. 

James has worked for a number of Investment Management Firms, most recently Killik & Co., where he mentored and developed new planners alongside managing his own advice team.  He has also enjoyed more technical roles at Coutts, supporting advisors to provide complex at retirement advice to wealthy individuals and families.

Jenna Huartson

Financial planner

Liverpool jenna.huartson@rathbones.com

Jenna Huartson

Financial planner

Liverpool jenna.huartson@rathbones.com

Jenna joined Rathbones in 2019 and has over 12 years’ experience in the industry. She is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Having previously worked within technical research, Jenna has a deep understanding for highly complex financial planning matters. She is passionate about helping clients to achieve their goals, by carefully constructing a plan to address their unique personal and financial circumstances.
Jenna works with clients on a holistic basis, helping to plan for their future through; wealth accumulation, tax planning and mitigation, retirement planning and, estate and inheritance tax planning.
Jenna also has a keen interest in helping divorcee clients, using detailed long-term cashflow analysis to provide greater visibility over wealth.

Kindar Brown

Senior financial planner

Edinburgh Kindar.Brown@rathbones.com

Kindar Brown

Senior financial planner

Edinburgh Kindar.Brown@rathbones.com

Kindar joined Rathbones in 2019 with over 20 years’ experience.

Kindar is one of a relatively small number of advisers in the UK to hold both the Chartered Financial Planner designation from the Personal Finance Society and the internationally recognised Certified Financial Planner Certification from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. She is also a qualified financial neutral through Consensus Collaboration Scotland which allows her to act in collaborative divorce cases.

Kindar is very experienced in providing clients with a holistic financial planning service including advice on matters such as tax efficient wealth structuring, retirement income planning, inheritance tax and estate planning. She has a particular interest in cashflow modelling and providing clients with the peace of mind to live their lives the way they want, unburdened by financial worries. Kindar is passionate about the benefits financial planning can offer clients and she truly enjoys being involved in a clients’ financial planning journey and the peace of mind it can bring.

Laura Dempsey

Financial planner

London Laura.Dempsey@rathbones.com

Laura Dempsey

Financial planner

London Laura.Dempsey@rathbones.com

Laura is a financial planner based in the London office. She joined Rathbones in 2017, with over 10 years’ experience in the industry. She has previously worked for a number of large financial institutions including Canada Life and Succession Group.

Laura holds Chartered Financial Planner status and is an associate member of the Personal Finance Society. She specialises in providing holistic financial planning to a wide range of clients, advising on matters such as income and asset structuring, retirement planning and estate planning. Laura’s aim is to understand what is truly important to her clients, and to help them achieve their goals, ultimately providing them with peace of mind over their finances and future. 

Michael McManus

Financial planner

London Michael.McManus@rathbones.com

Michael McManus

Financial planner

London Michael.McManus@rathbones.com

Michael is a Chartered financial planner who joined Rathbones in 2018. He passionately believes in his work and takes huge satisfaction from bringing security and peace of mind to people that want to grow and protect their wealth.

He has almost 10 years’ industry experience, over which time he has helped clients at all stages of life plan positively for the future. This includes (but is not limited to) tax-efficient investing, pension and retirement planning and inheritance tax planning. Michael takes a thoughtful and hard-working approach, bolstered by strong technical knowledge and a desire to deliver the best results for his clients.

Mike Hunter

Senior financial planner

Liverpool Mike.Hunter@rathbones.com

Mike Hunter

Senior financial planner

Liverpool Mike.Hunter@rathbones.com

Mike is a senior financial planner, joining Rathbones in 2017 from Lloyds Bank Private Clients. Mike has over 30 years’ experience working in the financial services industry. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society who specialises in providing holistic financial planning to high net worth individuals.

Myles Martin

Financial planner

Liverpool Myles.Martin@rathbones.com

Myles Martin

Financial planner

Liverpool Myles.Martin@rathbones.com

Myles is a financial planner based in the North West and has been with Rathbones since 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Liverpool, with a first class honours degree in International Business. He provides bespoke financial planning advice to individuals at various stages in their life, focusing on tax-efficient investments, retirement and estate planning. Myles also prepares detailed long-term cashflow forecasts to help his clients understand how their wealth can shape their future and enjoys providing the reassurance that people can achieve their goals.

Paul Sayers

Senior financial planner

London Paul.Sayers@rathbones.com

Paul Sayers

Senior financial planner

London Paul.Sayers@rathbones.com

Paul is a Chartered Financial Planner with over 25 years’ experience.

He provides financial advice for clients and their representatives, enabling them to make informed decisions to ensure they maximise their lifestyle without jeopardising their future security.

Paul is a member of the personal injury and Court of Protection team, providing financial advice and tax structuring for personal injury claimants and clients in later life, working with Court of Protection deputies, trustees and individual clients.

In his spare time he is a director for Cranleigh Riding for the Disabled.

Philip Baker

Senior financial planner

London Philip.Baker@rathbones.com

Philip Baker

Senior financial planner

London Philip.Baker@rathbones.com

Philip is a Chartered Financial Planner with over nine years’ experience of working collaboratively with his clients to structure their financial affairs to meet their financial objectives. He passionately believes in the value of proper financial planning and has seen the value of the peace of mind and reassurance that planning brings to clients who are uncertain of their long term security and who wish to ensure their affairs are managed in the most suitable and tax-efficient manner.

Philip previously worked at the Private Bank C. Hoare & Co, joining Rathbones in August 2016. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

Richard Cook

Senior financial planner

London Richard.Cook@rathbones.com

Richard Cook

Senior financial planner

London Richard.Cook@rathbones.com

Richard is a Chartered Financial Planner and has over 10 years’ experience in financial planning and wealth management. He previously worked as an associate director at Coutts Private Bank where he provided holistic financial planning advice to high net worth individuals and their families. 

He believes in a tailored approach and builds long-lasting relationships with his clients, helping them to plan for the future and achieve their goals. He has experience in all areas of financial planning, including tax-efficient investing, retirement planning, financial protection and estate planning.

Richard is highly qualified, having also achieved the Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Wealth Manager accreditations. He is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

 

 

Richard Nicholls

Financial planning director

London Richard.Nicholls@rathbones.com

Richard Nicholls

Financial planning director

London Richard.Nicholls@rathbones.com

Richard is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has been working within the financial services industry since 2007. Since joining Rathbones in January 2009 he has successfully obtained Chartered status and is now a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.  Richard provides holistic financial planning to high net worth clients and has extensive knowledge and experience in advising clients on: their pensions and meeting specific retirement objectives; structuring investments to maximise tax efficiency; protecting themselves and their families in the event of death or long-term illness; estate planning and the mitigation of inheritance tax.

Tom Flanigan

Financial planner

Glasgow Tom.Flanigan@rathbones.com

Tom Flanigan

Financial planner

Glasgow Tom.Flanigan@rathbones.com

Tom is a Chartered Financial Planner with 17 years financial service industry experience, nine of which as an Independent Financial Adviser servicing clients with a broad range of individual needs. He joined Rathbones in 2020 and is working towards becoming a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Tom specialises in holistic financial planning including retirement strategies, pension accumulation, tax-efficient investment, estate and inheritance tax planning, and financial protection.

Will Thompson

Senior financial planner

Bristol Will.Thompson@rathbones.com

Will Thompson

Senior financial planner

Bristol Will.Thompson@rathbones.com

Will joined Rathbones in February 2020 after 11 years with a regional financial planning and accountancy firm where he was a member in the partnership and served as a director of the Trust Corporation.

Having graduated from Kings College, London with a Bachelors in Law in 2006, Will returned home to the West Country and began work in the financial planning profession. Will initially qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Financial Planning Society in 2011 before more recently qualifying as a Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

With a passion to offer engaging and approachable client care, Will works with clients on a lasting basis providing advice and professional counsel on a broad range of financial planning strategies. In particular Will works on behalf of clients planning for retirement or financial independence and with families considering estate planning and wealth succession.

William Bartlett

Financial planner

London William.Bartlett@rathbones.com

William Bartlett

Financial planner

London William.Bartlett@rathbones.com

William joined Rathbones in 2014 and is a Chartered Financial Planner and a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) responsible for delivering financial advice to his clients over a broad range of financial planning. He holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning alongside the Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management and the Certificate in Securities Advice and Dealing.     

William’s aim is to make his clients’ lives easier by helping them structure their finances to provide peace of mind so that they are free to spend more time focusing on the issues in life that matter more to them.

William Evans

Senior financial planner

London William.Evans@rathbones.com

William Evans

Senior financial planner

London William.Evans@rathbones.com

William is a Chartered Financial Planner with the Chartered Insurance Institute, a member of The Society of Trustee and Estate Practitioners and is in the process of becoming a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. 

He joined Rathbones in 2017, from Lansdown Place Wealth Management, where he spent time advising clients on all aspects of financial planning.

William has experience in providing holistic financial advice to a wide range of individuals, families, trusts and business owners. He helps clients across a broad range of areas including protecting their wealth, investment and retirement planning, and succession and inheritance tax planning.