Our team

Elizabeth Thomas

Head of Regulatory Compliance & Risk

Elizabeth is head of regulatory compliance & risk at Argentis.  She helps Argentis manage risk for our clients and the business, so that our clients achieve their financial objectives in the right way, and our business meets its regulatory obligations. 

She has over 20 years’ experience of working in professional services (for law and accountancy firms as well as for financial advisers) and about 100 years ago she was Called to the Bar.  She is diploma-qualified with the London Institute of Business and Finance. 

Elizabeth has two grown-up children and a cocker spaniel who enjoys photo-bombing zoom calls.  Her other passions are performing Gilbert & Sullivan operettas twice a year and attempting to grapple, with people a lot younger than her, at Brazilian jiu jitsu. 

Paul White

Head of Financial Advice

I am a highly experienced and agile financial services professional with over 23 years of experience as a consultant, leader, coach, and adviser in the wealth management sector.

As Head of Financial Advice, I lead the financial adviser teams across Argentis, focusing on growing the business through excellence in client service.

When away from the office, I enjoy an active lifestyle by regularly attending the gym, which helps with my favourite holiday each year, skiing.

Simon Player

Financial Planner

I have been an adviser since 2000 and am a member of the Personal Finance Society. In addition to the Cert PFS qualifications, I have completed the industry Pension Simplification, Mortgage Advice Qualification and the Savings and Investments exams. 

I provide holistic financial planning, focusing on developing strategies to create and manage client’s wealth. I specialise in family & business protection, investments and pensions advice.  

Away from the office, I enjoy sport, primarily football and golf. I have two adult sons, and I am very lucky and grateful to have the support and patience of my understanding wife.

Oliver Thorne

Financial Planner

I am a Wealth Management Adviser with over 20 years experience in the financial services industry. I enjoy helping clients use their finances to achieve their goals and objectives, whether that’s saving for a deposit on a house or help to plan for their retirement.

Investing money can be a daunting process for many people, and I take pleasure in guiding clients through the various strategies to create a tailored financial plan. As clients’ circumstances evolve, it is crucial to have an ongoing relationship in order to constantly review and update this financial plan.

Away from the office I enjoy watching and participating in many sports such as football, rugby, cricket and snowboarding.

Sonal Bhudia

Chartered Financial Planner

As a Chartered Financial Planner, I bring over twelve years of extensive experience to the industry, establishing a solid foundation for the advice I provide.

My job involves building long-lasting relationships with clients by understanding their finances and future objectives and guiding them to take the right steps to achieve their goals. Whether it’s saving for a first home, planning for retirement, or ensuring wealth is passed on tax efficiently.  

Financial Planning can be a complex journey, but I believe in a collaborative approach. I work closely with my clients, taking a holistic view of their finances, and ensuring they have a clear understanding of their situation. Together, we create bespoke financial plans that provide them with the peace of mind they seek.  

Outside of work, I am an avid traveller, having explored over 30 countries and counting. I also love spending quality time with my loved ones. 

Charlie Carter

Chartered Financial Planner

I am a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and hold myself to the very highest ethical and technical standards. I concentrate on tax planning, investment management, building wealth, and income planning. Most importantly, I specialise in simplifying complex financial concepts for my clients and delivering advice in a transparent and coherent manner.   

My role is to help my clients understand their finances and guide them in taking the right steps towards achieving financial security.   I work with families and individuals at all stages of life; from protecting and accumulating capital in the earlier years, to planning and enjoying retirement, before ultimately passing on wealth tax-efficiently.   

The relationship with each of my clients is built upon trust and a full understanding of their individual situation. We work together over many years to implement a bespoke financial plan that is clear and tailored specifically to meet their financial objectives.   

Outside of work, I am a keen sportsman and skier. In my spare time I like to travel with my wife and to play the piano and the guitar (although thankfully you’re not likely to hear me singing..!).   

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Tax Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning advice.

Mark Finster

Financial Planner

I have 38 years' experience as a financial planner, working with individuals from a wide range of industries, helping them build and manage their wealth.

For many of my clients, achieving their goals has been the result of our decades-long collaboration. Our journey begins by understanding their goals and envisioning what a successful outcome looks like to them.

Much of my work focuses on inter-generational planning, spanning multiple generations within families.

Away from the office I enjoy travel, golf, skiing and good food and wine. Occasionally West Ham! - but always time with my family. I am married with two children and three grandchildren.

Michelle Gibbs

Chartered Financial Planner

I am a Chartered & Certified Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society with over 25 years’ experience in financial services.   

My aim is to build long term relationships with clients and guide them through the complex financial decisions they make throughout their lives. My aim is to be able to take the worry away from clients and work with them to achieve their financial goals, whatever they maybe!  

In my spare time, I enjoy running and fitness, balanced with a love of holidays and good food!   

Neil O'Malley

Financial Planner

I have been working in financial services since 2001 having joined Helm Godfrey in 2005, prior to its Acquisition by Argentis in 2023. I specialise in providing comprehensive financial planning advice, by assisting my clients in creating and managing their wealth.

I enjoy guiding my clients though complex decisions and developing personalised financial plans. As clients' circumstances evolve, I believe in maintaining an ongoing relationship by regularly reviewing strategies to ensure their goals are achieved. 

When away from the office, most of my time is taken up with my partner and our three children and dog. When I find a spare moment, I enjoy playing golf and most other sports, and of course, socialising with friends! 

Dan Burnham

Chartered Financial Planner

I am a Chartered & Certified Financial Planner and a Fellow of The Personal Finance Society, with more than 15 years of experience supporting my clients on their journey to achieve their life aspirations and financial independence. 

I specialise in supporting and guiding my clients through life's financial ups and downs, by understanding their motivations, ambitions, and desires. Once established, I implement a personalised financial plan designed to fulfil the discussed goals, a strategy that constantly evolves as circumstances and aspirations change. I aim to support my clients work towards leading the life they want.  

Away from the office, I enjoy travelling and experiencing new cultures with my young family. I also enjoy cooking and spending too much time on the golf course.  

Fred Segers

Financial Planner

I have over a decade of experience in the financial advice sector and my role is to understand my client’s personal goals and aspirations and support them through their financial journey.

I enjoy helping clients gain clarity with their finances by making complex situations easy to understand. I provide holistic financial planning with the aim to build long term relationships, create a clear financial strategy and to ensure clients remain on target to add value to their financial affairs. 

Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my young family, travelling, learning about different cultures and I consider myself to be a bit of a petrolhead.

Ben Foottit

Financial Planner

After a successful career in film production, I transitioned into financial advising in 2016, completing my diploma at the London Institute of Banking and Finance. Since then, I have specialised in providing holistic financial advice, focusing on strategies to create, grow, and manage clients’ wealth effectively. 

I take pride in building strong relationships with my clients, gaining a deep understanding of their goals and aspirations. This approach enables me to craft tailored financial plans that align with their unique objectives and help them work towards securing their financial future. 

Outside of work, I remain passionate about film and enjoy immersing myself in music, exploring diverse cuisines, and following sports. As a dedicated West Ham United supporter, I particularly enjoy football. 

I am also deeply committed to charitable work and am proud to be a member of the Founders Circle at Teenage Cancer Trust, an organisation devoted to supporting young people facing cancer

Stephen Powell

Financial Planner

I have worked as a financial planner for over 35 years and served as a director at Helm Godfrey until its acquisition by Hurst Point in 2023. I bring a financially focused entrepreneurial mindset and have a genuine curiosity about how businesses and individuals reach their goals and objectives.

I work closely with clients to gain a deep understanding of their objectives and help them develop a plan to achieve their goals.

Away from the office, I love sport of all types, although it’s just watching these days! I also have a keen interest in food and wine.

Teresa Lyde

Chartered Financial Planner

I am a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of The Personal Finance Society, with over 10 years’ experience helping clients achieve their lifetime aspirations and financial independence.

I enjoy helping clients use their finances to work towards fulfilling their goals and objectives. Whether it’s saving for a house deposit, planning for retirement, or navigating through life’s ups and downs, I provide guidance to help clients work towards their goals. Investing money can be a daunting process for many people and I take pleasure in guiding clients through the various strategies to create a tailored financial plan. As clients’ circumstances evolve, it is essential to maintain an ongoing relationship to continuously review and update the strategy.

In my free time, I love to travel and I enjoy seeing my friends and spending quality time with my family.  

Susie Foottit

Client Relationships Manager

I have dedicated my entire career to financial services, starting as an adviser and now serving as a client relationship manager. In my current role, I focus on strengthening the relationships between advisers and our valued clients, while offering essential support wherever needed. 

Throughout my career, I have been honoured with multiple awards in financial services. One of the proudest moments was being named Role Model of the Year at the inaugural Women in Investment Awards in 2017- an accolade that stands as a highlight of my journey and a testament to my commitment to inspiring other women in the industry. 

Beyond my professional life, I am deeply passionate about supporting young people facing significant health challenges. After serving as Vice-Chair of the Teenage Cancer Trust for 12 years, I am now a lifetime patron of the charity in recognition of my contributions. The Teenage Cancer Trust provides specialist nursing care and dedicated teenage units in NHS hospitals, ensuring that young people with cancer receive the support and environment they need. 

Matt Hills

Finance Director

Matt joined the Argentis Group in 2017, where he has overseen the growth of the finance team and its integration into the wider Group. Having studied Law at university and continuing at the Guildford College of Law, before pursuing a role in accountancy. Now a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Matt’s career prior to joining Argentis was in practice, acting for a wide variety of clients. This included providing audit and advisory services to Argentis throughout its development into the Group it is today.

Outside of work Matt enjoys spending time with his family, where he is outnumbered by girls, with the exception of his dog, Rocket. With family in Cornwall, holidays are often spent in the West Country, provided he can convince his wife the Cornish coast is more appealing than foreign shores! 

Tom Salt

Head of Mergers and Acquisitions

Tom is Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for the Argentis Group and a member of the Financial Planning Leadership Team. He joined the group in March 2019 prior to its sale to Hurst Point Group in March 2020. Tom has led on 25 Mergers and Acquisitions transactions ranging from £20m to £1.2bn AUA, with a predominant focus on financial planning firms.

Tom is married to Charlie and lives in Hampshire with their daughter, Emma. In his spare time, Tom will be found running or walking the beagle on the South Downs, paddleboarding or attempting to do triathlons. 

Natalie Kempster

Head of Client and Proposition

Natalie is responsible for the services we provide to our clients and is focused on ensuring clients are at the heart everything we do. She is also a chartered financial planner and fellow of the Personal Finance Society. She has worked in financial services for nearly twenty years and has been with Argentis since 2010. Natalie is passionate about financial education and the benefits of financial planning for everyone.

As well as maintaining her own client bank of high net worth individuals, Natalie manages our centralised advice team who ensure all clients have access to a financial adviser and also leads our adviser training academy.

Natalie is married to James (yes, the head of investment strategy), they have two ‘almost’ independent daughters and in her spare time she loves spending time outside in her campervan with James and Digby the dog. She’s not in the least bit competitive so plays hockey and runs races ‘just’ for fun.

James Kempster

Head of Investment Strategy

James started his career in financial services in 1999, working for Canada Life and for the last 19 years he has been an investment manager running managed portfolios. He is experienced in creating and maintaining risk-graded investment solutions and is lead manager on the IMS portfolio range, having overseen its formation in 2010. He holds the Investment Management Certificate and the Certificate in Investment & Risk.

More recently James has been responsible for the development of the Argentis Group’s Investment Suite, expanding it to include a range of additional solutions for the benefit of the group’s clients. He is a co-manager of the Discovery fund range and is a member of many internal groups including the Product and Governance Committee and the Group Investment Committee.

Away from work James has been married to Natalie for over 20 years and has two grown up children. He is a fan of all things fitness, including playing squash, running, and being a member of a CrossFit gym, although he tends to stay quiet about that last one. 

Susan Swan

Head of Operations

Susie Swan is Head of Operations for the Argentis Group, which means she is responsible for all Paraplanning, Administration, Facilities and Health & Safety Teams. Holding such a central role in the business means she also works closely with the Sales, Acquisitions and Compliance teams to support the delivery of the group’s strategic objectives.

Susie started her Financial Planning career with the Group in 2007 and has an intricate knowledge of a variety of operating systems, platforms and third party providers.

Having spent over a decade as a Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Navy before moving into Financial Services, Susie brings an extraordinary combination of communication and team leadership skills. Good luck to anyone who tries to beat her at running or CrossFit. Although she has more recently found a new passion for paddleboarding, so we might have more luck there if we get in quickly before she achieves world domination in that sport too.

Andy Urquhart

Regional Manager Southeast and Financial Planner

Andy provides Wealth Management advice for his clients and help them to protect and grow their wealth so that they can fulfil their financial objectives. He also works with a team of Financial Planners to train, coach and develop team members in meeting client and self-development outcomes.

He is qualified with the Personal Finance Society as a Chartered Financial Planner and accredited with the Society of Later Life Advisers. During his long career in Financial Services, he has spent time working within some of the UK’s major banks and joined Compass Wealth Management Consultants in 2011, As well as spending the majority of his 43 year career as a Wealth Manager he has also spent 7 years as an Investment Portfolio Manager.

He is married with two grown up Children and lives in Southsea. When he isn’t working, he will be watching Ruby Union or Football and is a season ticket holder at Harlequins and Portsmouth FC. When relaxing you will find him outside near the sea or in the countryside either walking, cycling or paddleboarding.