Belgrave's Financial Specialists

Michael Smith, Managing Director

Michael is the driving force behind Belgrave Asset Management. He founded the company in 1997 after feeling frustrated at the lack of independent financial advice firms that believed in offering advice to clients, particularly those in niche market areas, rather than just selling them products. He established from the beginning, a core set of principles that dictate how we at Belgrave operate today. These include his commitment to high levels of service, a thirst for knowledge and an attention to detail.

Michael's understanding of the investment market is both broad and deep. He takes great pride in ensuring he is always up to date with any economic and market developments, as well as changes in the law. His areas of specialism include private client investment advice, personal and corporate pension arrangements and specialist advice for charities and trusts.

In addition to keeping his knowledge at the forefront of the industry, Michael has been proactive in building a team of experts around him, all of whom excel in their own fields.

Prior to Belgrave, Michael has worked in several areas of the financial services sector. His exhaustive CV includes a position as Sales Director for a national stockbroker and a wealth of experience as an independent financial adviser. Michael graduated from Essex University in 1985 with an honours degree in Economics and Politics.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys keeping fit and has recently completed a charity cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of The British Heart Foundation. In total, he managed to raise £3,300 with the help and generosity of our clients and professional contacts. Although it was extremely hard work, he enjoyed every minute of it and would not hesitate to sign up for it again!

Philippa Mainstone, Investment Director

As our Investment Director, Philippa is responsible for overseeing all investment research at the company. She also acts as quality control, ensuring that all of our processes, which taken together comprise the backbone of our client advice, are the very best that they can be. Philippa's expertise lie in her wide ranging and in-depth understanding of investment, built on her solid experience in both discretionary and advisory portfolio management. Together with her team, she provides investment advice to high net worth clients, including Trustees on pension funds, charities and family trusts.

Philippa graduated from De Montford University in 1989 with a BA Honours in Economics and, since then, has developed her career within the financial services sector in the South West of England. Having met Michael whilst working with him at a previous company, she subsequently joined Belgrave in 2000. Philippa holds the Investment Advice Certificate and Investment Management Certificate.

 

Bill Bartholomew, Financial Adviser

Having spent 28 years helping to run large motor trade centres, Bill decided to change careers in 2008. With other family members having been associated to the Financial Services sector for many years he decided to enter the industry as an Independent Financial Adviser.

Certainly the prospect of sitting exams 28 years after leaving school was rather daunting. However with no distractions Bill was able to apply himself 100% to his studies and obtained the Certificate PFS within 6 months.

With the same dedication applied to the pursuit of his Diploma PFS, Bill also obtained that within 6 months, gaining the qualification in October 2011.

So whilst fairly new to the industry, Bill enjoys the challenges enormously and has also obtained the authorisations for Mortgage and Equity Release advice.  This enables Bill to look at and advise on a very wide choice of financial products in relation to any client requirements, knowing that he also has the expertise of the fellow specialists within Belgrave to call upon when required.

Bill is an avid rugby fan and still misses not being able to play! 

Gemma Watson, Pensions Director

As Pensions Director, Gemma is responsible for overseeing and coordinating strategic pension advice for both corporate and private pension schemes. Her outstanding strategic vision is built on her detailed knowledge of every aspect of the pensions sector. This includes SIPPs and SASSs, transfers, sharing orders, company pension scheme establishments and retirement options.

Gemma graduated from university with a BA Honours degree in Business Studies. Since graduating, she has worked in the financial services industry in various roles within the pensions sector, and has recently been made a Director of Belgrave.

Her wide ranging experience in the pensions sector, combined with her specialist qualifications in pension design and administration and her work towards achieving the full Financial Diploma, enable her to tackle the most complex technical challenges with confidence and skill.

In her spare time Gemma enjoys keeping fit and has a keen interest in golf. Gemma has recently become a mum and so is enjoying looking after her growing family.

Rebecca Davies, Investment Manager

Rebecca graduated in 2004 from Cardiff University with an honors degree in Economics. Her career to date has focused upon investment process and portfolio management. Since joining Belgrave, Rebecca has shown an aptitude for enhancing the research and portfolio construction within the company.

Rebecca holds the Investment Management Certificate and is working towards obtaining her full diploma from CISI.

In her spare time Rebecca enjoys keeping fit and active and is a keen runner.