Our People. Our Strength.
Meet the team
Our success is your success – and that’s something we’ve been achieving for over 20 years, by carefully listening to our clients’ needs and objectives and offering them tailored ideas and inspiration to unlock financial freedom and a better lifestyle.
Financial Planners
Chris Iles, Chartered Financial Planner
In 2018, Chris joined the team at Aspirations as a Financial Planner where he continues to help new and existing clients. He works to provide a truly holistic approach to financial planning that all starts with a listening ear and understanding his client’s goals for the future.
Roger Milbourn, Senior Independent Financial Planner
As a Senior Independent Financial Planner, Roger has over 20 years of experience in financial services and is an expert in the pensions industry. His main aim is to help you feel in control of your financial future and be confident making those life-changing decisions. He is responsive and available whenever advice is needed.
Stuart Smart, Independent Financial Planner
Stuart started working in the financial services industry in 2004 with an insurance company. He has been advising clients since 2013, firstly specialising in Mortgages and Financial Protection and progressing to a full holistic approach to Financial Advice.
Isabel Palmer, Independent Financial Planner
Izzy joined Aspirations in 2020 and brings with her over 18 years of experience in the financial services sector. Izzy enjoys and values building long-lasting client relationships with clients, some of whom she’s worked for 10 to 15 years.
Sam Lane, Independent Financial Planner
Sam joined us in February 2020 as an Associate Financial Planner. His goal is to nurture lasting client relationships by providing clear, concise, personalised advice; helping clients make pragmatic decisions and ensuring objectives are met.
Client Services Team
Laura Johnson, Senior Administrator
Laura joined the Aspirations team in November 2021 as a Senior Administrator and has 5 years of experience in the Financial Services Sector. Before joining Aspirations Laura worked as a Pensions administrator for a SIPP and SSAS provider. Outside of work Laura is a keen musician and plays the flute in a number of ensembles in the local area. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Gail Stephens, Senior Administrator
Gail joined Aspirations in 2021 as a Senior Administrator. Before joining Aspirations, Gail worked for various Wealth Management firms and offers a great deal of expertise in the effective management of clients. Outside of work, Gail enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going for long walks in the country or by the coast and getting lost in a good book. Travelling to the Greek Islands is something that Gail tries to do every year to enjoy the variety of Greek food which she likes to replicate at home.
Steve Hardman, Senior Paraplanner
Steve is a Senior Paraplanner and brings with him over 16 years of experience in the financial services sector. Before joining Aspirations, Steve worked as a Paraplanner for 9 years & before that was a Pre Sales Support Representative. Steve is responsible for carrying out a lot of the background work required for clients who seek help with financial planning and works alongside Financial Planners to create, implement, & review client’s financial plans. Steve has a Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently working towards becoming Chartered. His specialties include pensions and cashflow planning. Outside of work, Steve enjoys hockey, where he plays and volunteers for his local hockey club, he is the Men’s Club Captain and League Liaison, having previously captained one of the men’s sides. Aside from hockey Steve also enjoys cricket and cooking.
Laurin Brittan, Paraplanner
Laurin joined the team in March of this year as a Paraplanner and brings with her 7 years of experience in the financial services sector. Before joining Aspirations, Laurin worked as a Paraplanner for two years and prior to that, as Senior Administrator and Administrator. Laurin’s role involves supporting Financial Planners with the writing of their recommendation reports and any research that is required. Laurin has her Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and will soon be pursuing Chartered status. Outside of work, Laurin is passionate about film and enjoys travelling. She is currently trying to see as much of Europe as possible. She also enjoys cycling and keeping fit using online fitness classes.
Keiron Roche, Paraplanner
Keiron joined the team in April bringing with him 20 years of experience in financial services. Having started out working with stockbrokers and insurance brokerage firms, Keiron moved on to the world of Independent Financial Advice. Keiron has his Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and is part way through to becoming Chartered. Having moved from Northampton to Bristol 5 years ago, Keiron enjoys exploring Bristol’s rich culture and all the city has to offer. When he’s not working and weather-permitting, Keiron can be found cycling over the Suspension Bridge. In bad weather, Keiron enjoys binge-watching Netflix.
Stuart Urch, Trainee Paraplanner
Stuart is a Trainee Paraplanner and has enjoyed a 15-year career in the finance sector across various administration roles, mainly working in pensions which is his specialty. Previously, Stuart has worked for Halifax, AXA, Jelf and St. James’s Place partner practice. Stuart achieved the Certificate in Financial Services, Certificate in Life & Pensions, and Award in Financial Administration. He is currently working towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work, Stuart enjoys watching various sports and is a proud season ticket holder for Bristol City with love for the Bristol Bears too. Stuart is also a keen cyclist and makes sure to get out on the bike once or twice a week.
Sarah Casey, Senior Administrator
Sarah joined Aspirations in 2021 as a Senior Administrator and offers further support in resource management as well as management of our internal systems. Before joining Aspirations, Sarah worked for Clifton Asset Management and her career spans various roles within the finance sector over the last 15 years, working in support, management and sales roles. Outside of work, Sarah loves to spend time with her friends and family surrounded by good food and is kept very busy by her two-year-old. Wherever possible, Sarah loves to travel.
Keith Longman, Senior Administrator
Keith has worked in financial services for 13 years and has previously worked for AXA/Aviva. He provides sound investment knowledge, analysis and administration to support his team. Keith is knowledgeable on a variety of financial products and has extensive experience working with bonds, pensions, life cover, bereavements, mortgages and maturities. In his spare time, Keith spends every spare moment playing sports which include anything from football with friends to 5k runs with his family. Keith is also a licenced and qualified golf professional.
James Bailey, Trainee Paraplanner
James is a Trainee Paraplanner with over 5 years of industry experience working in both administrative and research roles. Before joining the team at the start of the year, James was a private client administrator at Chase de Vere and previous to that, an assistant Paraplanner at Close Brothers with research and analysis of existing client portfolios being one of his main responsibilities. James has his Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently studying for his J10 Discretionary Investment Management qualification. In his spare time, James likes to keep fit by playing sports. Whether it’s playing for his local football team on a Saturday or cycling into work with the company’s cycle-to-work scheme in true green fashion, James is always on the move!
Jacob Walsh, Administrator
Jacob joined Aspirations in June 2021 to help support the senior administrators, paraplanners and financial planners. Before joining Aspirations, Jacob obtained a law degree from Swansea University and went on to work in the Hartley Pensions’ SIPP department where he worked as an Administrator. Outside of work, Jacob enjoys playing a friendly game of football with friends and is a pub quiz enthusiast.
Mira Patel, Administrator
Mira joined Aspirations in November 2020 after a 9-year career working in the Retail sector. As an Administrator, Mira’s main focus is to support the Financial Planners and Paraplanners, as well as getting to grips with the financial services sector. When Mira isn’t working, she is nose-deep in a book or dreaming about where to travel next. A keen traveller, Mira has visited New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia among other countries, and is looking at her next trip abroad.
Rachel Finn, Paraplanning Manager
Rachel joined Aspirations in June as Paraplanning Manager. With over 20 years of experience working in financial services, Rachel has worked across a number of roles that include advising, paraplanning and management. During this time, Rachel obtained a number of qualifications including her Level 6 Certified Financial Planner diploma. Outside of work, Rachel is kept busy by her 7-year-old daughter and enjoys tennis and spending time with family and friends.
Greta Eliasson, Marketing Manager
Greta joined the Aspirations team at the start of 2021 to help lead the company through a rebrand and to drive marketing initiatives. She brings with her 9 years of international marketing experience and has worked across a variety of sectors. Greta has a strong background in helping businesses to create their marketing functions to better meet the needs of customers and to cultivate growth. When Greta isn’t working she enjoys cooking and baking for her young family and relishes in long dog walks exploring the Somerset countryside.
Stephen Ollis, Compliance Manager
Stephen is a Chartered Compliance Manager and works very closely with the Financial Planning team to ensure the advice given to clients is always in their best interests and meets all regulatory requirements. Steve has enjoyed a 14-year career in the financial services sector and is currently studying for his Level 7 to become a Chartered Wealth Manager. Stephen is also certified in Investment Management, Combating Financial Crime, Pensions Transfers, Mortgage Advice and Practice and Equity Release. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his family and is a proud season ticket holder of Bristol City with his eldest daughter. Stephen enjoys relaxing to Planet Rock with a single malt at hand.
Nichola Badcock, Office Manager
Nickie is our Office Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the office. Nickie also oversees the financial administration of the business and has over 17 years of experience in financial services which include banking and wealth management. She brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to support the team at Aspirations. When Nickie isn’t working, she is spending quality time with her family or relaxing on the beach in Playa Del Carmen which she tries to visit yearly!
Directors
Andy Harris, Commercial Director
Andy leads on all commercial activities and is responsible for the development of the team. With over 30 years’ experience working in financial services, a large focus of Andy’s is to ensure client value as well as assisting the team with client strategies. Andy has played a fundamental role in growing the business from a small team of 4 to a 24 strong team. As well as running the business alongside Adam, Andy oversees all marketing activities and encourages the team to work and live by the Aspirations values.
Adam Palmer, Managing Director
Adam is our Managing Director with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. During this time he has given advice to private and corporate clients, his sole focus now is to oversee Aspirations and ensuring our clients and stakeholders remain central to our business strategy. He also has extensive experience in acquiring and integrating businesses in the financial advisory sector. Adam has ultimate responsibility in leading and growing all sectors of the business.