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Our people, your future

Our clients know that we offer some of the finest financial expertise in the South West. Our commitment to clients has enabled us to build a well established centre of excellence that provides personable and expert financial support across your requirements, with ease.

Michael Smith BA (Hons), Managing Director

Michael established Belgrave in 1997 building on his exhaustive experience in the financial services sector, including as Sales Director for a national stockbroker and independent financial adviser. His experience in sales and marketing has been the driving force behind the company’s success to date and it is his principled commitment to service over sales that are shared throughout the company.

Through his extensive industry contacts, Michael has been able to build a team around him which comprises some of the most able individuals in the financial services industry. His specialisms are private client investment advice, personal and corporate pension arrangements and specialist advice for Charities and Trustees.

Philippa Mainstone BA (Hons) Econ, Investment Director

Philippa has developed her career within the financial services sector in the South West of England. Philippa is responsible for investment research and process which is an integral part of the advice process for all of the company’s clients. She is qualified as a fund manager, holding the Investment Management Certificate and has wide experience in both discretionary and advisory portfolio management. Specialising in providing advice to the Trustees of pension funds and charities, trust and probate matters, Philippa and her team currently provide investment advice on funds nearing £400 million in value.

Louise Heppel, Client Services Director

Louise is Company Secretary and Client Services Director. Prior to joining Belgrave, Louise had considerable experience with over 12 years working with a leading firm of Bath Solicitors. Louise heads up the Client Services and Support department and is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the company and all procedures relating to client matters. Louise has developed well established relationships with our private clients.

David Mayne, Independent Financial Adviser & Mortgage Specialist

David has added a new dimension to the services that Belgrave can offer to clients, both old and new. David’s work focuses primarily upon the mortgage and re-mortgages market. David is also able to provide assistance in relation to the increasingly popular equity release market which forms a vital part of inheritance tax planning. David’s expertise in this area has proved invaluable to the company and has had major impact upon the financial position of many private clients.

Gemma Watson BA (Hons), Pensions Manager

Gemma is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating both strategic and specific pension strategies for corporate and private clients of the business. Gemma has vast experience in the pensions sector. She holds specialist qualifications which enable her to construct appropriate solutions in accordance with the complex technical nature of pension planning, including SIPPS and SSAS’s, transfers, sharing orders, company pension scheme establishments and retirement options.

Kay Praed, Human Resources & Client Relationship Manager

Kay is highly qualified in the field of human resources and is responsible for overseeing all matters relating to staff recruitment, training and ongoing personal development. Kay also works closely with the Directors concerning all aspects of gaining and retaining client relationships, utilising her extensive financial services experience, which involved her dealing with all issues between client and company at a high level. Kay’s proactive nature, understanding of our specialised services and our clients expectations will ensure that Belgrave’s ethos on excellent customer service through regular contact is maintained.

Sophie Carter BA (Hons), Senior PA to Managing Director & HR Support

Sophie’s extensive experience of dealing with private clients in the leisure industry has brought a wealth of knowledge to Belgrave in relation to business strategy and people management. Sophie provides a valuable support resource to the Managing Director and Senior Management team to ensure the smooth running of day to day business and has responsibility for a variety of projects and initiatives. Utilising her people management skills she also supports the HR & Client Relationship Manager with all recruitment and training and development objectives.

Frances Leach, Administration Manager

Frances heads up the private client Dealing and Settlement team and is responsible for the day to day investment transactions for all clients. Reporting to Frances is a team of dedicated administrators who provide the highest level of service and accuracy in relation to all investment transactions.

Donna Parfitt, Accounts Manager

Prior to joining Belgrave, Donna was part qualified as a Chartered Accountant and now specialises in providing support and advice to the Directors of the company. She ensures prompt settlement of all client transactions and also provides taxation advice to private clients and Trustees, including completion of Tax Returns.