The Team

Liz began her career at FMB in July 1999. Starting out as a Marketing Assistant she worked her way through the company to become appointed firstly as Director of Marketing and then Managing Director in 2008, as well as being a fully qualified adviser. Before FMB she worked at the Chamber of Commerce Training Division in Lancaster, promoting their services to the wider community. As the daughter of one of the two founders, Leslie Beavis, FMB has always been an important part of her life as the business has grown from a desk in the family living room to occupying the prominent Shenstone House on the outskirts of Kendal, with over 30 employees. Liz feels that what we do can be an incredibly positive experience for clients and that is what makes it all worthwhile.

Gill’s background has predominantly been working with money and finance! Her first job after College was at the Skipton Building Society, and following PA roles at K Shoes and Express Foods, Gill moved to FMB in a part time role in 1990 after the birth of her son. She has progressed through the company and has undertaken a number of key roles before becoming Office Manager in 2003 and then appointed Director of HR & Operations in 2006. Gill has gained industry qualifications over the years, including the advanced CII qualifications, H15, which focuses on supervision and sales management which has assisted her in her other role as the Company’s Compliance Officer. This is a role Gill loves, and takes great satisfaction in running a “tight ship”.

Daughter of joint founder Leslie Beavis, Ruth joined FMB in 2007. She enjoyed a successful career in Education including management roles in Primary Schools in Cumbria, London and Leeds, before moving back to start a family and join the company. Ruth's main role is communicating internally and externally to make sure our clients understand what we do, as well as find new channels of business. Her highlight of the year is our Company Conference when we celebrate our achievements, it gives us a chance to work with different people and develop our team skills.

Philip started his career in financial services with Countrywide Assured plc, Preston after a 30 year career with Lancashire Constabulary. He holds the full Financial Planning Certificate, Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice and has recently completed his Diploma in Financial Planning. Philip joined the Financial Management Bureau in 2011. Phil has found that his role gives him the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and work with them to reach their goals. He feels this makes a positive difference to peoples’ lives.

Lisa began her Financial Services career with Norwich Union in 1999, where she attained the full Financial Planning Certificate, and passed the CeMap Mortgage Examination. She joined Financial Management Bureau in 2002 and has since achieved her Diploma in Financial Planning; having passed further qualifications in Equity Release, Trust planning, Savings and Investments and Personal Taxation. Lisa enjoys getting to know her clients and building a trusted relationship with them.

Jeremy has over 16 years experience in the Financial Services Industry working in Manchester for Imperial Life before moving to Barrow for a local firm. He joined Financial Management Bureau in 1996. He is one of our senior Planners, specialising in complex pension transfers, but with a wealth of experience in Personal and Corporate Financial Planning. Jeremy has a wide range of clients both locally and in Buckinghamshire where he looks after the many clients we have living in the South. He enjoys the challenge of being able to help people discover a path through their often complex financial affairs.

Chris began his financial career at Scottish Provident in 1999 where he obtained the Financial Planning Certificate. He joined FMB in 2004, has since obtained higher qualifications in Mortgages, Equity Release, Savings & Investments and Long Term care, and is now Diploma qualified. Chris has a varied range of clients from retired couples to business owners and farmers. Chris finds it satisfying to be able to resolve difficult financial situations and ease his clients worries about their future and retirement.

Andrew has over 30 years experience in the Financial Services Industry and holds the full Financial Planning Certificate and an additional qualification in mortgages. Andrew joined FMB in 2002 after many years with The Prudential. Andrew specialises in Investment and Inheritance Tax Planning and has a wide range of clients including Trusts, business and private clients. Andrew particularly enjoys being able to sit with a client, listen to their concerns regarding financial planning and be able to help them.

Ashley started his financial career working in the Workington branch of Northern Rock in 2002. He worked his way up from cashier to mortgage advisor. Following this, he was headhunted by Barclays bank and came to Kendal. During this period Ashley took the necessary qualifications to become a fully qualified financial planner. Ashley says becoming a financial planner was the most exciting role he has undertaken and offers a great sense of achievement, giving his clients simple honest advice. That is certainly worth coming to work for!

After leaving school, Jon worked in the printing trade but always wanted to work in a professional role helping people. He began doing the necessary exams before he even began work in financial services seven years ago. He joined FMB in September 2011 shortly after obtaining his Diploma. He is currently working towards Chartered Status and has additional qualifications in Long Term Care, Mortgages and Equity Release. Jon particularly enjoys being able to offer clients reassurance and support with their finances and develop a relationship with them.

Louise started her career in Financial Services at Scottish Provident in 1998 and went on to join FMB in 2002. She quickly completed her qualifications to gain her professional status and later joined the internal FMB Maze Academy which allowed her to begin her financial planning career. Louise provides guidance and advice to both personal and business clients, however, she specialises in corporate business; running staff pension schemes for employers, as well as other employee benefits including private medical and death in service benefits. With site visits as standard to hotels, charities, small and large businesses in the Lakes and beyond. Louise is happy to discuss with Employers their obligations and options with the new legislation now in place regarding auto-enrolment pensions for staff.

Louise started her career at Scottish Provident in 1997, where she gained the full Financial Planning certificate. Since joining Financial Management Bureau in 2001, Louise has passed examinations which include, Cemap, the Investment Management Certificate and a higher qualification in taxation and was the first member of our current team to reach Diploma status. She specialises in Inheritance Tax Planning and Tax and Trust advice. Louise has gained a great deal of experience working with families over several generations and particularly enjoys the regular meetings with her clients and hearing their stories and news.

Darren began his financial services career at Scottish Provident in 1994, where he worked in Life Technical Services gaining invaluable Trust, Taxation and Probate experience. In 2002 he joined a local Financial Advisory firm to oversee a department that specialised in obtaining life and income protection cover for individuals involved in dangerous sports or occupations. Darren joined FMB in 2010; he continues to use his knowledge and 17 years of Financial Services experience and is our expert on specialist life cover. As a Financial Planner Darren thoroughly enjoys helping people achieve their financial goals whatever they may be.

Sarah studied A Levels at Queen Katherine School and went to York University, obtaining a Masters Degree in Chemistry, her proudest achievement! During her four years with a High Street Bank, working in York and Lancaster, Sarah honed her customer service skills. She joined FMB in August 2010 as a Client Services Assistant. Sarah would like to complete the industry exams and further her knowledge with the potential to become a Financial Planner. She enjoys putting reports together, processing applications and administrating one of our Company Pension Schemes.

Christine worked in Appleby when FMB had an office there in 1990. When the Appleby office closed she moved to the Endmoor premises and has been with us ever since. Christine has taken a couple of financial exams to help her in her admin role and is one of our longest standing and most experienced members of the customer services team. She has worked in several departments during her many years here and has a wealth of knowledge about the Financial Services Industry.

Denise worked for Les Beavis at L and L Insurance Services in Endmoor in the very first shop premises he occupied. When FMB was founded in 1987 she moved across the road to the new purpose built office and has been with the company ever since. Denise has a wealth of experience in helping our clients and knows our admin systems inside out. She has seen lots of changes but still finds FMB a professional and happy place to work.

Roger came to FMB in 2007 from Dallam School after completing his ‘A’ Levels and has been taking professional exams ever since. He now holds the Diploma in Financial Planning and is currently studying towards his next exam, AF4 - Advanced Investment Planning with the intention of achieving a Chartered qualification within the next few years. Roger is currently training to become a Financial Planner and will go on to advise some of our clients. Roger is particularly interested in the investment portfolio construction aspect of Financial Planning.

Katie joined FMB in 2011 and is currently working as a Junior Client Services Assistant. She studied Personal Finance to AS level at school and has an ambition to become a Financial Planner by taking exams whilst at FMB. Katie has worked in other customer services roles, gaining valuable experience helping tourists and the local community in a range of different ways. Katie has enjoyed welcoming clients and being part of the FMB team!

Helen has come to FMB recently after completing her studies in Personal Finance at AS Level at The Lakes School.  Helen is enjoying working in one of the admin teams after a period learning the ropes at FMB. She is currently working towards the industry exam FA2 to gain more knowldege about Financial Services.

Diane has worked in Financial Services for 15 years and has been with FMB since 2002. She also previously worked for an IFA in Preston. Diane has extensive knowledge of the industry and also has amassed valuable experience and knowledge during her time with us, with regard both to our IT systems and our processes and procedures. She holds the Financial Planning Certificate and intends to obtain other advanced qualifications in the future.

Angela has worked in the Financial Services Industry for around 25 years, joining FMB in 2005. Angela also worked for over 10 years as a Financial Consultant so has excellent knowledge of the industry. During her time with FMB Angela has continued to expand her knowledge and in 2011 achieved Diploma status in Financial Planning. She particularly enjoys the interaction with the clients through her role as Customer Services Supervisor. One of Angela’s memorable moments working here was in 2007 when she was awarded Employee of the Year, her prize being a trip to London to see a ballet.

Sarah has worked in Financial Services since she left Kirkbie Kendal School. She joined FMB in 2007 after working for another smaller IFA. She began life here as an office junior and has gradually worked her way up to a role as Team Leader 3 years ago. This involves liaising with the Financial Planners in her team and ensuring the work they generate is processed to our high standards by the other members of the admin staff. Sarah has gained several qualifications whilst working at FMB is currently undertaking an NVQ Certificate in Life & Pensions.

After leaving college where Helen did a BTEC in Business & Finance, she joined Scottish Provident and began her career in Financial Services. She joined Financial Management Bureau in July 2002 as part of the Investment Team. Helen is FP1 & 2 qualified. Helen enjoys working in a team and supporting her colleagues.

Sue has worked for Financial Management Bureau since 2002 and previously worked for Scottish Provident. Sue enjoys her shared role as Client Service Supervisor in a team of 5 people. She has completed FPC1 & 2 since being with the company and is an appointed First Aider. Sue enjoys getting to know the clients and providing a friendly and helpful service.

Linda was the wife of our founder, the late Les Beavis, and remains at the heart of FMB which is still essentially a family business. Linda has been with the company since the first seeds were sown in the 1980’s, she has seen all the changes and stages the business has been through but remains a constant feature of FMB, welcoming clients on reception in person and on the telephone.

Irene certainly had a varied career before she joined us in 2007. Her many roles have included everything from Night Nurse and Plant Technician to Trainee Bus Driver! Her role on reception at FMB involves providing a friendly welcome for our visitors and a helpful voice on the end of the phone. Irene especially enjoys the team spirit at FMB and says the staff are great to work with. The feeling is obviously mutual as Irene was voted Employee of the Year by her peers after only a couple of years with the company.

Linda joined FMB in 1997, whilst we were located at the old premises in Endmoor. She is one of the company’s longest standing employees and has seen many changes. Her role in keeping on top of the client filing is complex and requires a great deal of attention to detail. Linda has been at the heart of our drive to transfer all our paper into electronic format.

Melanie has worked in an accounts role for various local firms since she left school and has always loved numbers. Melanie joined FMB in October 2011. She has taken on the role of Accounts Technician after recently gaining AAT Accounting Technician qualification Levels 2, 3 & 4. She is responsible for book keeping and preparing management accounts and especially enjoys organisational tasks such as preparing the payroll.

Richard began working at FMB in 2006 having moved to the area from Sheffield where he worked for Norwich Union. He started at FMB as a Client Services Administrator before moving into his current role as Investment Analyst, responsible for product research, due diligence and selection of the fund panel as well as reviewing and redefining the company’s investment process. Richard is a qualified Financial Planner and also has specialist qualifications in Investment Management.

Prior to working at FMB Val worked for the Midland Bank (now HSBC) for 10 years. Following a break to bring up her family Val joined FMB in 1997. Her first role was that of filing clerk, but after amassing years of industry experience in the admin team she took over in 2006 as Commissions Technician. Val has the difficult and complex job of managing the payments that come in and matching them up to the thousands of policies we manage. This requires specialist knowledge of our IT systems and a historical overview of how the companies we deal with have merged and evolved over the years!

Before joining FMB in 2002, Sarah worked at Scottish Provident in the Compliance department in both Kendal and Edinburgh. Sarah has spent most of her time with FMB working in a compliance role but also as a valuable assistant to director, Gill Forrester. Sarah internally audits the work undertaken by the many Financial Planners in the company to make sure our rigorous sales and investment process is being followed and is involved with formulating policy to ensure our practice is as current as possible.

Rebecca started at FMB in 2007 as an Office Junior, shortly after completing her A-Levels. She was enrolled as a Client Services Assistant in 2008 before being appointed Assistant to Directors in 2011. She is currently working towards her Certificate in Financial Administration which she is aiming to have completed by spring 2013. Rebecca takes a particular interest in planning and organising company events and also looks forward to our annual company conference with activities outside of the workplace.