Sean Patterson

CEO

Sean is the CEO of the Group, with 20 years of investment management, private equity and corporate finance experience. Prior to founding Stonewood, Sean was a founding partner of CapitalWorks Equity Partners, and a Divisional Director of Brait Private Equity. Sean is a qualified chartered accountant.

Nicholas Matthews

CFO

Nick joined Stonewood in September 2020 as an executive director and Group CFO. Previously Nick was a partner at KPMG in South Africa where he as head of the firms Deal Advisory business unit. Nick is responsible for heading the Stonewood groups finance function which includes consolidation, planning and reporting for the group. Nick is also responsible for execution of acquisitions and post deal integration.

James Easterbrook

MD: Stonewood Private Wealth

James joined Stonewood in 2020. He heads up the business development and distributions functions for the Group as well driving key strategic projects across the group and has over 20 years’ experience in business development and senior management roles. James was a financial analyst for RMB Morgan Stanley in South Africa, before heading up the equity sales desk. In addition, James was head of Business Development for Bateleur Capital in South Africa and took responsibility for growing funds under management across all investment strategies.

Peter Simms

CTO and MD: Birchwood Investments

Peter is the Group CTO as well as the MD for Birchwood Investment Management, one of the group subsidiaries.

In 2022, he assumed the role of Group CTO and will transition to this role full time. As CTO, he is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the company's technology strategy and ensuring that it aligns with the overall business goals.

Peter holds the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Certificate in Financial Planning at levels 1, 2 and 3. He has also completed the Institute of Financial Services’ (IFS) level 4 examinations to achieve the Diploma in Financial Advice as well as achieving the IFS Certificate in Long-Term Care in April 2014.

James Twidale, CFA

Chief Investment Officer

James joined Stonewood in 2020 through the acquisition of his South African asset management business. James heads up the multi-asset portfolio management function and forms part of the Stonewood investment team. James also has client management and venture capital experience. James holds a Bachelor of Business Science (Honours in Finance) from the University of Cape Town and is a CFA Charterholder.

Adam Katten

Managing Director NLPFM

Adam has been Managing Director of NLP Financial Management Limited since March 2005 and been instrumental in the growth of the company into one of the leading, award winning financial planning businesses in the UK.

He has advised clients for over 25 years and his thorough, highly responsive and caring approach, alongside his technical expertise, has enabled him to build a very loyal client following whilst developing many financial planners within the firm who follow Adam’s ethos.

Adam believes in the importance of financial planning and understanding every client’s unique circumstances so he can identify their requirements and work with them in ensuring that their life plans can be met through appropriate advice and guidance.

With a passion for client service he has ensured that his high standards are replicated by all staff as part of the culture of NLP Financial Management Limited.

Outside of work, Adam is a family man with 4 children and is Treasurer of a local charity focused on improving the lives of disadvantaged young people. He also enjoys the odd game of tennis and even cricket.

Lee Pittal

Director NLPFM

Lee is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Adviser, and qualified Investment Manager dealing with high net worth clients and business strategy.

He has over 25 years of experience in the financial planning and accountancy industry, and was a Director of the Investment Management group at BDO Stoy Hayward where he worked between 1990 and 2005.

Lee has developed several investment opportunities for clients with one property development investment worth over £250 million. Whilst managing the businesses within the NLP Financial Management Group, he still manages an extensive client bank, and chairs the Investment Committee.

Outside of work, Lee enjoys working out regularly in the gym, spending time with his wife and three children and watching athletics, football and rugby. He is also involved in a number of communal and charity projects.

Jeremy Martell

Senior Financial Planner

Jeremy has been one of the leading IFAs in the country for many years now. He advises both personal and corporate clients, specialising in high net worth individuals. His portfolio includes many successful business people along with clients from the world of music and film. Having many years of experience in the industry since joining Elliott Bayley in 1987. Jeremy is one of our most senior advisers and is committed to developing the next generation of our firm. Jeremy was Club Captain at Wentworth in 2019 and can often be found at the weekend fly-fishing with his son Zane.

Sean Bryan

Compliance and Regulatory Director

Sean is the Head of Compliance bringing over 12 years of experience to NLP Financial Management from various compliance support roles for financial advisory and discretionary fund management firms.

This has given him a vast array of experience of how to deal with the impact of regulation in a practical and client centric way.

Sean is diploma qualified and is also Chartered.

Outside of work Sean regularly swims, cycles and runs and has completed more than 10 triathlons.

Matthew Russell

Financial Advisor

Matthew began his career in financial services with a small firm in west London before moving to Elliott Bayley where he met Jeremy. At Elliott Bayley, Matthew established a successful paraplanning department, quickly progressing to become a qualified financial adviser.

In 2007 he and Jeremy moved on from the firm to form Group Rapport with Matthew and has enjoyed building a brand that he feels confident will continue to look after his clients for many years.

Matthew advises both individual and corporate clients and holds the Diploma qualification.

Rachel Lane

Financial Advisor

Rachel qualified in 2008 having graduated from Sheffield University and joined Group Rapport in 2014.

Treating each client as an individual and taking time to understand a client’s goals is her main strength, perfectly matching the Group Rapport philosophy. Rachel swiftly made a great impression and was recognised by the Guildford chapter of the Chartered Institute of Insurance being awarded their Young Achiever of the Year for 2015.

She was also awarded the PFS Mortgage Adviser of the year Runner up in 2016 and Winner 2017. Since then she has been busy building her client base and spending time with her two dogs (including our retired office dog Quinn).

Ginny Gamble

Financial Adviser

Ginny joined Bromwich Financial Planning in 2021, having worked in the financial services industry for over 16 years, 10 years of this spent gaining knowledge and experience at an Investment Bank.

As an adviser Ginny strives to work closely with clients to create a bespoke financial planning and investment strategy. Providing them with investment retirement options tailored to suit their individual needs and solutions that can be adapted to changing circumstances throughout their lifetime.

Ginny’s interests outside of work include her passion for fitness, spending time with her two daughters and socialising.

Ian Ussher

Financial Advisor

Ian joined Group Rapport in 2021 after relocating to the United Kingdom from South Africa.

He has over 10 years’ experience in the financial advisory industry and gained certified financial planner status while practicing in South Africa.

Since joining Group Rapport he has completed the necessary qualifications to give advice in the United Kingdom and has been working closely with the senior consultants at the company. Starting as an administrator at Group Rapport, he has a vast knowledge on the providers offered as well as the tools available to assist with providing the best financial advice.

He is a people person who engages with his clients and strives to build lasting financial relationships.

Matthew Swinbank

Mortgage Advisor

Matthew started working in Financial Services in 2019 alongside university; and was quick to realise his passion for with the industry. After graduating from The Open University in 2020 with a BA in Business Management, he decided to pursue his interest, by specialising in the part he enjoyed the most.

He joined Group Rapport and quickly qualified as a Mortgage Advisor in 2021 where he has enjoyed working with our new and existing clients ever since.

Melanie Kinshott

Group Compliance Manager

Melanie joined the Stonewood Group in 2020 as group compliance manager, heading up the compliance function for Stonewood Financial Planning and working closely with our Compliance & Regulatory Director in managing the compliance requirements of the group as a whole.

Melanie has over 20 years’ experience in working in financial services. After completing a BSc (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle, she began her career in the Savings and Lending Departments at Northern Rock HQ in 2001. Melanie relocated to Worcestershire in 2003, where she became a member of the mortgage processing team at Woolwich and in 2006 moved to work for an employee benefits consultancy taking on the role of team leader in Group Pensions. Relocating again to Surrey in 2009, she began working for a small IFA in Guildford where she further expanded her experience and knowledge as Head of Corporate and Compliance Manager for the firm.

Melanie holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice, Certificate in Equity Release and Award in Long Term Care Insurance.

Ema Lawrence

Group Administration Manager

Ema has 30 years experience in the Financial Services Industry, the majority of which has been in a management role. Ema has worked for several of the major providers in the industry including Aviva and Canada Life, Ema moved into the IFA world in 2008, joining the Stonewood Group in 2012. Ema has a wealth of experience and knowledge regarding financial services and the systems we use to provide the best experience for our clients.

Shainita Hamin

Head of Operations

Shainita’s is highly experienced and key member of the team, with a career that has spanned more than 25 yearscareer has spanned 25 years and included household names such as Friends Life and AVIVA before meeting Jeremy and Matthew at Elliott Bayley. Shainita is an experienced and highly valued member of the team with a superb depth of technical knowledge and administrative knowledge. Managing 3 administrators Shainita helps ensure that all our schemes receive the highest level of service and support. A keen traveller Shainita has mastered the art of balancing work and her love of seeing the world with her family.