Financial Services

David Akehurst

David joined S&P after working for some time as a writer of new life business at Royal Liver.  His motivation for joining S&P was to establish himself within a company that offered a wider range of products and whole of market advice.

David has an extensive knowledge of pensions and has been the Pensions Transfer Specialist at S&P for many years.  He was also the first adviser at S&P to attain Chartered Financial Planner status. 

When asked which historical figure he most admired, David, a loyal Norfolk inhabitant, nominated Nelson for his loyalty and dedication whilst in action.

David enjoys music, with one of his favourite concerts being Eric Clapton & Friends at the Albert Hall.

Julian Bradshaw

Julian joined S&P in 2006 as a support staff team member with the aim of becoming an adviser, something he has since achieved. In his time here he has passed the Certificate, then the Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently studying to become a Chartered Financial Planner. He has played a large part in the development and improvement of our Model Portfolio Investment Proposition and sits on the Investment Committee.

He aims to build long term relationships with his clients to guide them through the various challenges and opportunities of life, whilst looking to take away the stress and complication of personal financial planning.

In his spare time, Julian enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. Also a keen musician, he plays the piano, organ and drums and guitar and looks to learn the saxophone when time allows!

Kevin Coop

Before joining S&P, Kevin worked as a Business Development Director for M&G Investment Managers. He sought employment at S&P 'for their reputation and strength as a top regional IFA business'. His main aim here is simple: to provide a top quality service in all aspects of the job.

Kevin's ideal superpower would be the power of foresight, so he will 'never make an error of judgement again'. Clearly, this is unnecessary in his professional life!

Kevin has a great love for Pink Floyd; they are his favourite band of all time. Roger Waters would be the number one guest on his dinner party list, with Bob Geldof and Tony Blair making up the numbers.

Matt Frary

Matthew joined S&P when it acquired his own independent financial services firm MK Frary & Co Ltd. Matthew said, "I was keen to join a firm with considerable investment resource and to be part of a larger group of IFAs. "

Whilst at work, his main aims are to maintain and develop his client base and to continue gaining professional qualifications.

Matthew is a music lover, with one of his most memorable concerts being AC/DC at Wembley Stadium in June 2009.

Michael Harvey

Michael came on board at S&P after leaving Norwich Union, as he wanted to work in a smaller company, advise from the whole of the market and build up good, productive, long term relationships with clients.

When asked who his favourite historical figure is, Michael answered Mike Hailwood, a world motorbike champion in 1961/1967, as he never gave up.

Michael's favourite journey was on the road from Buxton to Macclesfield in a 1960/1970 mini and his favourite concert was watching his daughter Lyndsey play her violin in St Andrew's Hall.

David Hughff

David joined S&P as a career change after working at Rhone Poulenc. He said, "I was a specialist in analytical chromatographic and atomic absorption techniques, but felt ready for a change in career and into the industry that I probably should have started in. I also felt that it was a big opportunity and certainly not one to be missed."

David balances his role as Managing Director with that of active financial planner. His aims for himself and for the firm are the same: to achieve the highest levels of service, performance and technical ability, to communicate those qualities to clients and to utilise them for their full benefit.

David has travelled to many different parts of the world and is a very keen skier; however, his favourite journey is the one home.

Chris Lambert

Chris joined S&P after working for some time as a financial adviser at Overburys, a local firm of solicitors, of which S&P acquired the financial services business.

Chris said, "The opportunity to work at Smith & Pinching came in 2003, when the firm at which I worked ceased to operate a financial services department. In my role at S&P, I aim to provide a successful offering of personal financial planning to the local community. I currently spend a large part of my working week in our branch at Holt."

When asked which historical figures he admired, Chris nominated Winston Churchill for his great wartime leadership and oratory skills. Chris also mentioned that if he could have dinner with any three people, he would choose Joanna Lumley, James Herriot and Michael Palin.

Scott Pinching

Scott joined S&P after working as a Chartered Accountant for Ernst & Young. He said, "My father asked me to join the family business. I had never considered this likely, but thought I should at least give it a go. Fourteen years on, what a good decision."

When asked what he is trying to achieve at S&P, Scott replied, "To do the best for my clients, and to take away the stress of looking after their own financial affairs."

In his spare time, Scott enjoys spending time with his family. If he were to have dinner with any one other than his family, his guests would be Winston Churchill, Lord Nelson and John McEnroe.

David Pring

David was originally a telecommunications engineer with BT, but decided to change the course of his career by starting work in the financial services industry with Aviva. He joined S&P to widen his experience as an independent financial adviser within a local firm.

When asked what historical figure he admires, David said, "Horatio Nelson for how he overcame adversity and inspired others, despite injury and ill health."

David is very much involved in athletics. He coaches children and young adults aged 11 to 18 in middle distance and cross country running for City of Norwich Athletics Club. Several of these athletes represent their club, county, and region at athletics events during the course of the year both on the track and cross country. Amongst these athletes are medalists in the English Schools Championships and representatives for English Schools in the Home Countries International.

Melvyn Pye

Before Melvyn joined S&P, he spent much of his earlier career with Aviva. He worked in Norwich, Cambridgeshire and London, but left his position in 1999 to join the local accountancy practice Larking Gowen as a Senior Manager. He joined S&P as an Associate Director in 2001.

Melvyn enjoys travelling – one of his favourite places is France, especially canoeing along the gorge of the Ardeche River. He also enjoys the theatre, with Les Miserables being his favourite musical.

Paul Rayner

Paul joined S&P in 2007, as he wished to work for a large, vibrant and progressive firm of independent financial advisers.

When we asked him which historical figure he most admired, Paul explained that he had high regard for Winston Churchill, due to his leadership qualities and his power to inspire those around him.

Paul likes to travel with his wife Kate and one of their favourite memories is taking a road trip that started and finished in San Francisco. If Paul was to have dinner with three, people he would choose Kate and two very close friends.

John Simpson

John joined S&P after working as Regional Manager for Clerical Medical Investment Group. He said, "I decided I wanted to have more involvement with clients directly rather than deal at arm's length through IFAs, so the move to Smith & Pinching was ideal. I also wanted to settle in one part of the country, rather than continue to be moved all over the UK."

When asked what he is trying to achieve at S&P, John replied, "I want staff to enjoy coming to work, to move forward in their knowledge of the job and feel that they are achieving something worthwhile for themselves and for clients. I want clients to have confidence and trust in what I am striving to do for them, which is essentially comprehensive financial planning and increasing their wealth."

In his spare time, John enjoys attending concerts. He says it is hard to choose his favourite, but it would be between Bad Company in Germany in 1975 and Michael Jackson at Wembley in 1988.

Kelly Trees

Before joining S&P Kelly worked as an adviser for Berkeley Burke and Towergate.

Based in the Midlands Kelly specialises in investments, trusts and estate planning.  Kelly’s aim is to simplify what can be very complex areas for her clients.

When not working Kelly enjoys spending time with her children or at the stables indulging her passion for horses.

Paul Wheatley

Paul has almost 40 years’ experience in financial services, during which time he has held a variety of senior roles and Directorships.

He has been head of professional practice services for a major national and international Lloyds Insurance Broker, a specialism he continues today via the provision of consultancy services to professional firms such as Chartered Accountants and Solicitors.    

Paul has experience in all aspects of financial services, but focuses on trust formation, estate planning, inheritance tax mitigation and wealth and asset protection.

Nigel Wilson

During Nigel's extensive career, he has occupied senior posts in banks, building societies and national financial advisers. At S&P, he specialises in investments, trusts, retirement planning and estate planning and is frequently consulted by solicitors on such matters.

Nigel enjoys travelling, with one of his favourite journeys being along the Amalfi coast in Italy. It is therefore not surprising that Nigel would nominate if he could Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Michael Palin as his dinner guests.