With over 30 years experience in Financial Services and Financial Planning, I have been at McDonald Associates since 2000. I specialise in Advice and Administration for SSAS and SIPP plans as well as managing private clients investment portfolios.

I enjoy watching football and eating out.

An experienced Chartered Financial Planner with over two decades of experience within the firm having started on a part time basis at the age of 18 whilst at university. My particular expertise and interest revolves around investment and pensions, both pre- and post-retirement planning, including SIPPs and SSAS’ and the use of them to acquire commercial property.

Outside work, I cherish time with the family, with two children that keep me busy and take up most of my spare time with dad’s taxi service. Conveniently located on my doorstep, I enjoy exploring the Peak District and as a passionate football fan, at weekends I can either be found in a cold and rainy field as a volunteer coach for my sons football team, or down at Hillsborough as a season ticket holder and long-suffering Sheffield Wednesday fan.

A Chartered Financial Planner, and Fellow of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, I have worked in Financial Services since leaving college. I focus on delivering holistic financial planning, tailored to each client’s unique needs. I’ve been recognized as a VouchedFor Top Rated Adviser for 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, and I specialize in working with business owners, providing cash flow planning, managing client funds, at-retirement advice, long-term care planning, and employee benefits.

I also work with my clients on savings, investments, mortgages, protection, and Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. I believe a holistic approach is key to ensure your planning is not looked at in silos.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with individuals, families, and businesses to simplify what can often seem like complex financial decisions. My ethos has always been about education—empowering clients to take control of their financial futures through informed decision-making and clear, goal-based financial planning.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and two (at time of writing) teenage children. I love playing golf, although I am not good at it. I have always been closely involved in playing and coaching football and I am the manager of two disabled football team at Croygas (under 12’s and under 16’s) which is genuinely the highlight and most rewarding part of my week. I am also currently chairman of the local Round Table group (RT119) in my home town of Reigate.

I have been working now as a Financial Advisor for 30 years and before that as a Sales Representative for Royal London firstly, then Aegon. Within Work, I enjoy managing client Pensions and Investment monies as well as their expectations. I also like to think of myself as an active fund manager.

Outside of work I enjoy watching sport such as Football (the mighty Leeds!) and Yorkshire Cricket. My other passion is National Hunt Racing, and I am currently aiming to visit all 33 racecourses in England & Wales. So far, I have visited 18, so a little more travelling to do!

With over 15 years experience within the financial services industry I now specialise in all things compliance. Here at McDonald Associates I am responsible for overseeing, developing and implementing the companies policies and standards to ensure they are compliant with all applicable rules and regulations.

Outside of work I live with my partner and very large dog, Ares! I am passionate about sports and I like to enjoy the outdoors in my free time.

During my career I have been involved for 25 years in property management. I have also run my own business for 4 years in the antique and collectables trade. My main duties for McDonald Associates are payment of invoices, invoicing clients, staff pension contributions, Company’s house submissions, new starters enrolment, invoicing clients’ tenants for rent payments. I also pay the PAYE to HMRC, record transactions on sage. pay salaries and monitor the collection of fees from clients.

Outside work- I am married and have one son. I am an author and poet, having had my first book published, I am working on my second. I am also active in politics and have recently been elected as a County Councillor.

I’ve been with McDonald Associates since the company was established in 1996.  I started as Secretary to the MD and then transferred to an administration role.

I have 20+ years administration experience for group Private Medical, Life and Income Protection Schemes and over the last 15 years, my role has evolved to include processing, recording and updating new business, including reports for FCA .  I produce annual client valuations and HMRC reporting and tax returns for our SIPP clients, monitor client bank accounts, process payments and work with SAGE to process pensions and PAYE for 40+ pension schemes.

As the Office Manager, I am responsible for purchasing office supplies and equipment, working closely with my colleagues to provide support where needed and to ensure we have a smooth running, happy office environment.

Outside work I enjoy family time, especially when we go on holiday.   My idea of relaxation is reading, sewing and embroidery.  I love cooking and trying new recipes, especially international cuisine.   I’m at my happiest when I can hear the sea.

I began my career in the Financial Services industry almost 3 years ago after my introduction to “working life”  which started in 2018 was derailed by Covid and being furloughed for 6 months in 2020. I am currently working towards my first Financial Services Certificate following the achievement of my Life and Pensions award.

Outside of work, I really enjoy spending time relaxing at home either reading, watching new TV shows or finding new recipes to bake. I also love spending time with family and friends, and most importantly with my Cat!

My role is the day to day administration of our SSAS & SIPP clients. This involves processing rent invoices, VAT returns, 5 April HMRC annual returns, Pension Regulator annual returns, client meetings and annual reviews, calculating benefits, SAGE payroll and online banking transactions. I work very closely with Dan and Ian who advise clients on their SSAS & SIPP benefits.

I enjoy my weekend by walking my border collie Meg and in the evening socialising with family and friends. I have a season ticket for Sheffield United. I enjoy cooking with chicken gyros currently my favourite dish. I also love going on holidays especially to a Greek island.

With almost four decades working in the industry, I have extensive experience in Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Schemes. My first role as an administrator for the Mineworkers Pension Scheme, but more recently DB Pension Scheme wind-ups and GMP reconciliation / equalisation.

Before joining McDonald’s, which is now over 18 years, I have previously had roles as an Assistant Pensions Manager, Pensions Technical Trainer, traveling throughout their offices in the UK, and then finally an Operational Implementation Team Leader. This has now led me to, alongside the DB Pension Scheme duties, to specialise in the administration of Small Self-Administered Scheme’s, HMRC & the Pension Regulator annual returns and maintenance, Relief at Source claims, Tax returns, HMRC Event reporting and Deed drafting.

With the variety of responsibilities my overall aim is to maintain the highest level of service, whilst being organised but adaptable in a forever changing industry.

Outside work – To keep active, I enjoy fell walking and Pilates, but to relax my go to is textile art and crocheting, but there is nothing better than an early morning walk with our dog Odie.

I joined McDonald Associates in spring 1997 as admin support.

My current role includes general admin support, daily use of the IO system, online banking, 5^th April valuations, investment reports for SSAS, SIPP and individual clients.

Outside work I enjoy spending time with my family, going on holidays and walking my dog, Stanley.

I started work with the original McDonald family straight from college at age 16 and in 1996 I helped set up McDonalds Associates Ltd.

I have had various admin roles from database setups to pension payroll and they currently include online banking, daily IO system operator, 5th April and client valuations and various SASS, SIPP,  Life & Pensions Administration.

I am told I have a good sense of humour and enjoy the odd prank now and then.  I have a new grandson, whom I love spending time with.  I also enjoy reading, crafts and dabble in a bit of self-taught crochet.

I have enjoyed working as an administrator in many aspects of the Financial Services industry for over 30 years. I am a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and have successfully achieved the accreditation of Cert CII (Life and Pensions).

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family. I also love to dance, socially and together with a performance group where I have taken part in a number of dance performances helping to raise money for various charities.

I have worked at McDonald Associates Ltd for 20 years. I currently support the directors with typing/audio – letters, reports, agreements, new client forms, SIPP and SSAS documentation including brochures and fee schedules. Ongoing duties include generating reports for SIPP, SSAS and individual client reviews, ensuring client documentation is up to date, file archiving and storage and any admin support as needed.

Outside of work I like going to the coast, walking my two dogs and dressmaking.