Our people

Chris Wicks – Managing Director

Chris runs the company on a day to day basis. He deals with a range of clients in the UK and overseas and is a specialist pension, retirement planning and investment consultant. Chris has been a financial planner for over 30 years. He qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner, a Chartered Wealth Planner and a Certified Financial Planner, for which he is a long standing assessor. Chris also holds specialist pension (G60) and mortgage qualification (MAQ). He has worked for a number of major firms of Chartered Accountants and established a joint venture IFA firm with a firm of solicitors. He has contributed to the financial services trade press and national press on a variety of financial matters. He is also an active networker on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter. Chris lives in Cheshire and is married with six children. He has recently completed a History degree at Manchester University, specialising in early medieval history.

Dawn Jones – Financial Planning Manager

Dawn has been a financial planner for almost 30 years and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a Fellow of the Personal Financial Society and is a Chartered Financial Planner. Dawn is a pension & retirement planning specialist and investment consultant and is currently studying for her MSc in Financial Planning and Business Management. Dawn lives in Lincolnshire with her family and numerous dogs and cats as she has a passion for rescue. Dawn is a Chartered Financial Planner and is currently studying for her MSc in Financial Planning and Business Management.

Michael McDermott – Financial Planning Manager

Michael is a member of our UK based team, he deals with both residents and expatriates. Michael has built a significant amount of experience working in global and local markets as an Adviser. Michael has also worked in senior advisory roles in the UK Private Banking & Corporate pension markets. He continues to provide advice on UK Pensions to international and UK clients under UK regulation. He can also advise on UK ISA’s and Unit Trusts, as well as Bonds, Estate and Trust Planning for both private individuals and small businesses.

David Wells – Financial Planning Manager

David believes that pension advice, and financial advice more broadly, is a critical part of financial planning and as such needs to be carefully and thoroughly communicated to clients. He has built a significant global client base, and maintains regular contact not only through the initial advice stage but also on an ongoing basis with all of his clients. David is keen to promote the values that matter: openness, honesty and transparency. He likes to work at his clients’ pace, ensuring that everything is clear and they have plenty of time to think before making any financial decisions. David has operated within the Financial Services sector for over 25 years. Starting with Barclays in 1986 until 2009, David was an International Investment Manager in London before setting up Barclays Premier Banking in Dubai in 2004 and then moving over to Barclays Wealth MENA. He followed this with 2 years at Standard Chartered Private Bank as a Director. In 2012, David moved to Mauritius to work for a Private bank before being headhunted by Holborn Assets in the summer of 2013. Whilst with Holborn, David completed the CII Level 4 qualification within 6 months, and is now studying towards Chartered Financial Planner status with anticipated completion by June 2020 . He is also one of only very few advisors to hold Level 6 pension qualifications with the main two universally accepted examining bodies. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (UK) as well as holding several investment, derivative and mortgage qualifications.

1. Diploma in Financial Planning, FNS 50615 – Australian Financial Services (Apr 17)
2. Diploma in Regulated Financial Services – RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4, RO5, RO6 (2014/5)
3. CFE Level 3 Certificate in Investment Management – International Investment (2009)
4. AF7 (CII Pension Transfers) Advanced Diploma (Oct 18)
5. Level 6 Pension Transfers and Planning Advice (Dec 18)