Beckett Investment Management Group – Chartered Financial Planners

Experience. Trusted. Responsible.

Expert Financial Advice

Becketts has been helping private clients and companies make the right financial choices since 1988

About Becketts

Few firms can offer the breadth and depth of advice like Becketts. Our holistic service means you can benefit from the highest standards of advice whether you are a private individual seeking investment options or an HR Manager looking to provide healthcare cover to your people.

Private Clients

Independent financial advice to make sure you remain on course to achieve your financial objectives.

We help you make sure you're making the right choices for your future.

Employee Benefits

Demonstrate your organisation's values by delivering the right employee benefits to your people.

We work in partnership with more than 900 organisations, large and small, across the UK.

Investment Management

Our discretionary managed portfolios are designed to meet your needs

Make sure you achieve your investment objectives with our discretionary management service

Becketts is a purpose-led organisation that puts diversity and inclusion at the centre of its culture

Find out more

4150

Satisfied Clients

% Client Satisfaction

Years Supporting Clients

110

Members of staff

Our People

Our clients enjoy the advice of some of the most highly qualified and experienced Consultants in the industry. Click on the + sign to view the people in each team.

Management Team

Ian White

Executive Chair

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Ian is a Chartered Accountant who was originally Group Finance Director of the Beckett Group until 1999. He is now Chief Executive Officer after undertaking finance roles in EDF and DHL and then more latterly as a Director in the healthcare sector for privately owned groups together with private equity.

Ian is passionate about building teams to deliver excellent customer service and developing innovative solutions to meet customer needs.

All of Ian's spare time is taken up driving his two daughters around the country to compete in show jumping competitions.

Gavin Wood

Managing Director

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Gavin became Managing Director of Becketts in 2025, ten years after joining the firm and several years after first stepping into the world of financial planning back in 1997. His focus now lies in three key areas: shaping an outstanding client service proposition, mentoring the next generation of financial planners and employee services consultants, and building meaningful partnerships with other professional firms (ideally over a good drink, not bad PowerPoints).

He began his career at Cook Sheppard Pinhey, where he was lucky enough to be mentored in the lost art of actually listening, a skill he still credits for his proudest professional stat: in nearly three decades, he has never had a client complaint.

Gavin is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, and an enthusiastic advocate of advice that’s as human as it is technical.On a more personal note, in his five decades Gavin has been widowed and divorced (in that order) and is a proud father to two daughters. These life experiences have profoundly shaped his approach to supporting clients and colleagues alike, particularly those navigating their own difficult chapters. He understands that good advice is about more than finances: it’s about empathy, timing, and trust.

Outside of work, Gavin can usually be found in his garage gym, trying to burn off more calories than his huge appetite consumes, or indulging his passion for live music (as he is a frustrated rocker at heart).

Tracey Gloyne

Director of Employee Benefits

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Tracey has spent most of her career in the employee benefits sector advising clients from High Street Brands to local SMEs with the same goal, regardless of size, to provide an exceptional customer experience. Tracey holds a range of Financial Planning Qualifications including those in Advanced subject areas. Having been regulated with the Financial Conduct Authority, Tracey’s attention to detail and getting it right first time approach ensures clients receive a high level service. Tracey has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience in employee benefits which she is now able to share with her team. Tracey is focused on both the career development of her staff and strengthening Becketts position as a Great Place to Work. With offices in Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and Ipswich the goal is to become the premier Employee Benefits Consultancy in East Anglia.

Tracey represents Becketts with Group Risk Development (GRiD), the industry body for the group risk protection sector, promoting the value to British businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their wellbeing and engagement. Tracey is married with two children and, in her spare time, enjoys travelling and interior design.

John Payne

Key Client Director

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John is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accreditations awarded by our professional body, the Chartered Insurance Institute. With over thirty years experience in our industry he is widely recognised as one of the UKs leading exponents in providing independent financial advice, whether to businesses concerning their employee benefits programmes and other corporate financial planning requirements, or by way of wealth management solutions for individuals. The quality of his exceedingly loyal client bank is testament to Johns high standards and attention to detail. In his spare time John is a fitness fanatic and he has a keen interest in sport in general.

Ben Brinkley-Everard

Director of Private Clients

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Ben joined Becketts in 2010 and was promoted to Director of Private Clients in 2015. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and, through examination, is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and Chartered Financial Planner. He is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and authorised by Beckett Financial Services Limited.As a senior member of BFS Private Client team, he specialises in advising individuals and business owners on wealth management, tax and estate planning matters. With what little spare time Ben has, he spends with his young family and if time permits, and the weather, he plays the odd round of golf and it is!

Samantha Owen

Director | Head of ESG

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Samantha joined Beckett Asset Management in 1999 and she is well equipped to deal with both recessionary and buoyant economic conditions. Sam is our Portfolio Manager, actively running Beckett Asset Management.

Samantha is currently studying for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Wealth Management Masters, a globally recognised higher level qualification.

Married and living locally, she enjoys the countryside and spending time with family and friends, and aerobics. She was a football referee but, admittedly, is more of an armchair supporter now.

Lesley Delaney

Operations Director

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Lesley has worked for Becketts since 2001. She builds and develops the Bury support teams who work with the consultants and manages the systems and processes.

In her spare time she enjoys travel, particularly to Italy.

Mike White

Finance Director

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Mike joined Becketts as Finance Director in April 2021. He is a Chartered Accountant and prior to Becketts has been working in the financial services industry since the early 1990’s. During this time he has held a number of senior finance positions, most recently as Finance Partner for an investment management business based in London and the Channel Islands.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys playing golf, tennis and the occasional run or spin class.

Private Client Team

Gavin Wood

Managing Director

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John Payne

Key Client Director

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John is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest accreditations awarded by our professional body, the Chartered Insurance Institute. With over thirty years' experience in our industry he is widely recognised as one of the UK's leading exponents in providing independent financial advice, whether to businesses concerning their employee benefits programmes and other corporate financial planning requirements, or by way of wealth management solutions for individuals. The quality of his exceedingly loyal client bank is testament to John's high standards and attention to detail. In his spare time John is a fitness fanatic and he has a keen interest in sport in general.

Ben Brinkley-Everard

Director of Private Clients

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Ben joined Becketts in 2010 and was promoted to Director of Private Clients in 2015. He is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and, through examination, is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and Chartered Financial Planner. He is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and authorised by Beckett Financial Services Limited.

As a senior member of BFS Private Client team, he specialises in advising individuals and business owners on wealth management, tax and estate planning matters. With what little spare time Ben has, he spends with his young family and if time permits, and the weather, he plays the odd round of golf - and it is odd!

Peter Gray

Associate Director

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Peter joined Becketts in September 2013 and has been a financial adviser for more than 25 years with experience covering commercial and private clients. He is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and is authorised by Beckett Financial Services Limited to provide independent financial advice to clients with pension, retirement or protection needs.

Outside of work, Peter's time is devoted to his family and enjoys running.

Simon Bonnett

Associate Director

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Simon began his career at an insurance company over thirty years ago administering pensions and, subsequently, held senior positions at leading accountancy firms and private banks in the City.

He established the corporate pensions department at the then largest ethical-focused IFA and maintains a keen interest in ethical investing for clients. More recently, Simon works closely with a homeless charity in Ipswich which complements his interest in ethical investments.

Simon holds a range of Financial Planning Qualifications including those in Advanced subject areas. He is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and is authorised by Beckett Financial Services Limited to provide independent financial advice to clients.

Outside of work Simon is a youth Rugby Coach, infrequent golfer and confirmed petrolhead (aka Taxi to his sport-mad sons).

Jenny Williams

Associate Director

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Jenny joined Becketts as a Senior Consultant in August 2018, having over 20 years' financial services experience. She specialises in Retirement and Later Life planning, and is an accredited member of the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).

Outside of work, Jenny enjoys spending time with her family. When not ferrying her children around to their activities, she can often be found walking the family dog along Felixstowe Prom.

Matthew Baines

Associate Director

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Matthew joined Becketts in September 2018 and has 10+ years of financial services experience. Matthew has worked with personal clients, managing their financial affairs, and also has experience dealing with vulnerable clients, specifically clients who have suffered serious injuries or from medical negligence.

He is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and is authorised by Beckett Financial Services Limited to provide independent financial advice to clients with retirement, investment, inheritance tax or protection needs. He is also qualified to the level of Chartered Financial Planner through the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Outside work Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children and if time allows playing football and squash.

Charlotte Wilson

Associate Director

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Charlotte has over 20 years of experience in financial services, having worked within accountancy practices for most of her career, before joining Becketts in 2021.

She has a particular interest in retirement planning, as well as working with vulnerable clients (including those in later life). She holds a range of financial services qualifications, including the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) accreditation.

Charlotte’s clients appreciate her technical knowledge, coupled with a friendly and down to earth approach. She is passionate about helping people engage and understand their finances, as well as finding the right solutions for them.

Adam Woodward

Associate Director

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Adam is an enthusiastic individual who aims to make financial topics understandable and interesting. He aims to have a thorough understanding of his client’s circumstances in order to help them achieve their longer-term goals. Adam specialises in Investment Planning, Retirement Planning and Tax Planning, particularly in relation to Inheritance Tax. His experience of advising landowners, farmers and business proprietors gives him a particular aptitude for advising on more complex situations.

Adam has been working in financial services since finishing his ‘A’ levels at age 18. Prior to joining Becketts in July 2022, he worked for NFU Mutual as a Financial Consultant, and more recently with NW Brown/ Brown Shipley.

Adam has studied and completed his Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute and is working through examinations to become a Chartered Financial Planner.

Away from work Adam can be found spending time with his young family and enjoying the Norfolk countryside. He plays the odd round of golf and enjoys participating in most sporting activities.

Paul Fisher

Senior Financial Planner

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Paul entered the financial services profession in 1977 and having spent the first 10 years working with two major insurance companies in London he has been an Independent Financial Adviser for the past 27 years.Paul is a Registered Individual with the Financial Conduct Authority and by examination holds the designation Dip PFS.

Having spent sixteen years with the Beckett Group between 1992 and 2008 Paul has just returned to the company in the role of a Senior Consultant. Although he advises his clients on various aspects of tax and financial planning he has tended to specialise in the area of pensions and retirement planning.

Outside of work Pauls interests include music both his sons perform in the same band cartooning and golf. Indeed it is often said that his golf is a bit Mickey Mouse

Ian Hubbard

Senior Financial Planner

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Ian has been in financial services all his working life, having joined Sun Life Assurance (long since amalgamated into Axa) from school at age 18.

Ian became an Independent Financial Adviser in 1997 and many of the individuals he looked after are still clients today. He has worked at a number of companies in East Anglia and specialises in investment and retirement planning.

After taking a three month sabbatical, Ian is delighted to be back working in the independent financial advice arena with Becketts, and looking forward to renewing relationships with many ex-clients.

Away from work, Ian has been a keen sportsman throughout his life, although with the passing of the years his involvement has changed from being an active participant to running football teams his two sons were involved with and, latterly, to refereeing. Nowadays, his participation is more of the armchair variety. For his sins, Ian is a staunch West Ham supporter, which brings with it a variety of challenges!

Mark Giles

Senior Financial Planner

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Mark commenced his financial services career in 1984 working with Scottish Mutual and Provident Mutual supporting financial advisers with pension and investment services. In 1989 Mark became a partner with a firm of Independent financial advisers and has been providing retirement, investment and tax/estate planning advice ever since. Much of this time has been spent providing specialist advice to British nationals preparing to leave and return to UK.

Mark joined Becketts in July 2021 as a senior consultant and continuing to provide clients with personal and comprehensive financial planning advice.

Outside of work Mark enjoys spending time with friends and family and is a keen cyclist as well as appreciating music of various genres. He Is also a keen sport watcher and makes no apologies for being a lifelong Arsenal fan!

Michael Trawford

Senior Financial Planner

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Mike has worked in financial services since 1997 and is qualified to Advanced Diploma standard, being a Chartered Financial Planner. Mike’s experience includes working as a financial adviser for an accountancy practice, national advice firm and a private bank providing advice on a wide range of wealth management topics, seeking to help clients achieve their objectives.

In his free time, Mike can often be found roaming the Norfolk countryside with his dog or dreaming of a return to the premier league for Norwich City.

Anthony West

Senior Financial Planner

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Anthony (Tony) joined Becketts in March 2023 as a financial planner. Tony has worked in financial services since he was 18 in a variety of roles from being a cashier through to an Investment & Operations Director.

Tony holds the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning from the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF) and is well versed in advising on retirement planning and tax mitigation. Alongside his financial planner role, Tony is active in spending time in local schools and colleges to educate students on managing their finances and promoting careers in financial services.

Outside of work, Tony spends a lot of his time with his wife, Kate, and son Thomas. A keen angler, when the weather is nice, Tony can be found beside a lake or on the beach when he is not in the garden.

Lee Disney

Senior Financial Planner

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Lee started his career in financial services in 1992 giving sound good quality advice to his clients on a face-to-face basis. He holds the Diploma in Financial Advice. Lee considers his strengths to be relationship building and listening skills which enable him to provide the most effective recommendations that best suit his clients’ objectives both from a personal and financial aspect.

Lee is a proud family man. Married to Carolyn, they have two sons and a granddaughter. Lee is very much a sportsman and when he isn’t keeping fit, he is watching it. An avid football fan, Lee supports Leeds united. Lee played at a reasonable level in his younger days. You will also often find Lee enjoying a long walk along the coast.

David Bullard

Senior Financial Planner

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David started his career in financial services in 2003 having graduated from Lancaster University with a Batchelors degree in Management Science. He holds the Diploma in Financial Advice.

David is married to Kate, with two young children, and you will often find them on a dog walk with Rolo their cocker spaniel.

When time permits, David loves a game of golf and has a handicap of 7.

Samuel Brett

Senior Financial Planner

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Sam joined Becketts at the end of 2016 having moved back to Suffolk from London where he had completed his degree in History & Politics, and worked for an insurance broker. He holds the Advanced Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and has personally achieved chartered status, and is a Chartered Financial Planner.

Sam moved into a Private Client Consultant role in 2019 having previously provided high level technical support to clients and across the team.

George Hinds

Financial Planner

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George joined the Beckett’s team in September 2020. His career in financial services began at the Woolwich after he finished studying for his degree in Information Technology. When the Woolwich were acquired by Barclays, he moved into sales at Audi, working at Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds Audi.

In 2016, he made the move back into financial services, working up to become an independent financial adviser for a firm in Claydon. This role gave him a solid foundation in administration, and paraplanning before eventually becoming an IFA. Most recently he has been a financial adviser for St James’s Place.

He has studied and completed his Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute, and is working through examinations to become a Chartered Financial Planner.

Outside of work, George is a long-suffering season ticket holder at West Ham, and he enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters.

Paul Avant

Financial Planner

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Paul has 30 years’ experience in financial services having begun his career in 1988 with Barclays Bank. Paul then progressed into private banking and wealth management working for HSBC, Royal Bank of Canada and Schroders. Prior to joining Becketts, Paul was a wealth manager for HSBC providing investment, estate and inheritance tax planning, protection and retirement advice.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys walking and exploring the South Cambridgeshire countryside with his wife and two dogs.

Jonathan Law

Financial Planner

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Jonathan joined Becketts in 2017 after completing his BA (hons) degree in Economics at Nottingham Trent University where he achieved first class honours. Since joining Becketts, Jonathan has moved through the administration and paraplanning roles before becoming a Private Client Consultant in 2022.

He is currently studying towards the CII Advanced Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning having completed the Diploma in February 2020.

Outside of work, Jonathan is a keen golfer, of which he is a member at Ufford Park as well as being a long suffering West Ham season ticket holder.

Adam Borley

Chartered Financial Planner

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Adam joined Becketts in 2014 after completing his A Levels. He has achieved his CII Advanced Diploma and won the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning Award 2021 for the region.

Adam has moved into the Chartered Financial Planner role and is currently developing his skills as an adviser at Becketts.

Outside of work, Adam likes to keep active, travel and try new restaurants where he can. He is also a keen supporter of the Chicago Bears American football team, and often visits Wembley Stadium to watch the International Series. He has recently combined this with his love of travel and managed to travel to America to support his team.

David Snell

Financial Planner

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David joined Becketts in 2016 after completing his BA (Hons) degree in Business Management at De Montfort University where he achieved First Class honours. He has recently achieved his Fellowship CII Diploma (FPFS).

David moved into a Trainee Adviser role in 2022 and is currently developing his skills as an adviser at Becketts.

Outside of work, David likes to keep active regularly going to gym and is a keen skier when he gets the chance, having skied in France, Austria, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

Joel Brett DipPFS

Trainee Financial Planner

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Joel joined Becketts at the beginning of 2017 after spending 18 months at a legal firm in Ipswich where he completed an NVQ in Business & Admin. He is currently studying for his Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning through the CII.

Jane Drummond

Team Manager

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Jane has worked in financial services for 35 years. She began her career working for an Insurance company in north London and moved to Suffolk in 1987. Her role at Becketts is to support the Private Client Consultants with providing the best services to clients.

Outside of work, she spends her time taking her children to their various activities, and walking her dog.

Dawn Dearlove

Senior Team Leader

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Dawn's Financial Services experience spans 25 years and for the last 15 years she has been a member of the Beckett Financial Services in-house administration team. Having gained a range of expertise in both Private Client and Employee Benefit work, her current role is supporting our senior consultants.

Helen Johnson FPFS

Chartered Paraplanner

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Helen joined Becketts in 2017 as a Senior Consultant Support in the Private Clients Team and has accumulated over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.In 2024 she was awarded Chartered Financial Planner status following completion of the CII Advanced Diploma and in 2025 was awarded Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society.

Away from work, Helen enjoys running, cooking and spending time with her family.

Georgia Brett

Team Leader

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Georgia joined Becketts in August 2021, coming from working at Aviva in the Pensions team. She is currently studying for her Level 4 Diploma in financial planning with the CII.

Outside of work, Georgia enjoys socialising with friends and family.

Samantha Travers-Ashman

Team Leader

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Sam has worked in financial services since 2011 after previously working in customer service roles. She is looking to add to her qualifications with Becketts, leading to Diploma level.

Outside of work Sam enjoys motorhome adventures to the seaside, spending time with her children/family, days out visiting new places and walks with her Jack Russell.

Gemma Drew

Team Leader

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Gemma started working in the Financial Services industry in 2001. She excelled in her role as a senior personal banking manager for the Lloyds Banking Group, dealing with clients either on the telephone or a face-to-face basis.

Gemma then took a break in 2010 due to the birth of her son Dylan and returned to work when her son was two as a Financial Administrator with Moss and Roberts. Gemma worked there for six years dealing with clients and liaising between them and the Financial Adviser. Gemma really enjoyed the interaction with the clients and the Financial Advisers in helping them achieve and realise their financial objectives.

Gemma then made the move to Waveney Valley IFA Ltd in December 2018 as an Executive Financial Administrator; when the company was formed and was an integral part of the team. Gemma took on more responsibility with Waveney Valley overseeing the day to day running of the office.

Gemma is a busy mum who loves spending quality time with her son and partner Nik. They enjoy dog walks with their sausage dog Lenny. Gemma is also normally found every weekend on the side-line of a football pitch cheering on her son’s football team.

Matthew Earll DipPFS

Technical Financial Planner Support

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Matt joined Becketts in January 2020 and has completed the CII’s Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Matt has experience in supporting Private Client Consultants in delivering advice across a wide range of investment solutions. Prior to joining Becketts, Matt gained experience in financial services with roles at Bloomberg and Grant Thornton.

Matt also holds a BA in French and German from University College London.

Outside of work, Matt is a keen rugby fan and avid reader.

Sophie Apacible

Technical Financial Planner Support

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Sophie has worked in Financial Services since 2018. She started as a Mortgage and Protection Adviser moving over to a Wealth Management role in 2020. She holds a Level 4 Diploma in Paraplanning with the London Institute of Banking & Finance, having qualified in 2021.

Outside of work, Sophie loves to host dinners and games nights, enjoys keeping fit and enjoys learning (and tasting) different food cultures from around the world.

Kirsty Goodchild

Technical Financial Planner Support

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Kirsty has worked in Financial Services since 2008. She started in Discretionary Fund Management and moved over to Consultant Support in 2010. She holds the Diploma for Financial Advisers, having qualified in 2012 and is now Technical Consultant Support providing high-level support to our Private Client advisers.

Outside of work, Kirsty enjoys running and riding her peloton bike. She has two children and likes music and spending time with friends. She can often be found quizzing, but she’s not at all competitive!

Jessica Colson

Technical Financial Planning Support

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Jess joined Becketts in 2012 and supports the Private Client consultants. She holds the Certificate in Financial Planning from the Personal Finance Society, and is an experienced para-planner.

Jess enjoys being a mum to Poppy and days out with her family.