Our team of experienced financial planners are dedicated to delivering holistic advice that engages clients in a professional and personable manner. We believe in leading by example and simplifying complex financial concepts to ensure our clients have a clear understanding of their options.
With our expertise and approachability, we strive to provide exceptional service that exceeds expectations. Whether you are seeking advice for retirement planning, investment opportunities or any other financial planning matter, our team of chartered planners are here to assist you every step of the way.
Partner, Mercer Private Wealth Leader
With 30 years’ experience of working in financial services, Steve’s passion is to lead teams to achieve great things. Steve truly believes that when galvanised behind a common purpose and when empowered with possibility, teams can achieve greatness.
By creating a vibrant culture and a great place to work, colleagues will naturally deliver a superior client experience.
Financial Wellbeing Leader
Alana leads financial wellbeing in Mercer UK. Alana is working to ensure that every employee has a pathway to ensure financial resilience and stability, through a blend of digital and traditional methods to deliver this.
In addition to financial wellbeing, Alana has also been involved in the development of solutions in the broader wellbeing space, particularly centred around Mental Health. She is focused on bringing together Mercer’s core capabilities relating to broad wellbeing to bring the best to our clients and their people.
As well as being an advocate for employee wellbeing she is also passionate about the progression and support of women in the workplace and sponsors several key initiatives across the business.
Outside of work, Alana spends much of her time with friends, family and dogs. She also enjoys travelling and free time is often being spent planning the next adventure!
Chief Investment Officer
Darryn has over 30 years’ experience working in financial services, with roles ranging from compliance, operational support, research to investment and fund management. Darryn has been the Mercer Private Wealth Chief investment officer for over 15 years and enjoys helping client’s reach their investment objectives. Darryn is also a chartered member of the chartered institute for securities and investment.
Away from work, Darryn enjoys spending time walking the hills of Devon, watching sport, keeping fit and is an avid and extensive reader of books.
Head of Operations
Currently our Operations Leader, Nick started working in financial services in 1989 when Personal pensions were the new big thing! In his current role, Nick ensures our back-office processes and systems allow the wider teams to deliver a first-class service to our clients.
Previously, Nick has headed Mercer’s central annuity team and was a core member of the team that implemented our Pension Decision Service, providing guidance to members on their retirement options.
Away from work, Nick is married with two children. He is a lifelong Huddersfield Town fan and is on the way to forgiving his parents for introducing this to a young impressionable child. He hopes his children are just as forgiving!
Senior Regional Leader
Russell has worked in the financial advice sector since 2001, with his current role as a Senior Regional Leader for the South and South West of England.
Having started out his career in a small IFA business, Russell built up continuous service for over 15 years, although he has been involved in various ownership changes during that time, with the latest development change being Mercer via the acquisition of JLT in 2019.
Russell’s career began by advising clients specialising in tax, investment and pensions. He became a Chartered Financial Planner in 2008, before moving on to manage a team of Financial Planners. Whilst he has kept a small number of clients in order to “keep his hand in”, his main role now is to use his skills and experience to help develop his colleagues to give the best possible advice.
Russell takes an active role in shaping the future direction of the business, as part of his involvement in Mercer’s internal advice and operations executive committees.
Senior Regional Leader
Paul has over 35 years experience working in financial services, with his current role as a Senior Regional Leader for London. He is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a Chartered Financial Planner. Paul initially started his career at Norwich Union (Aviva as it is today) in the Administration team. From those early days Paul’s career progressed within the Customer Support function, then into sales, sales management and leadership positions. Paul has been fortunate enough to work for some leading Financial Institutions where he has worked with a variety of customers in many differing roles. This has also allowed him to continually develop his technical abilities by undertaking additional focused qualifications in both the Investment and Estate Planning arena.
Paul is passionate and inquisitive around the industry and constantly looks to keep his knowledge up to speed. Paul’s focus on coaching and developing the teams he leads to create a positive environment for his colleagues to flourish and provide excellent client outcomes is paramount.
Outside of work he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cycling, playing golf and following his beloved Brighton and Hove Albion football team where he has a season ticket.
Alex has over 30 years’ experience working in financial services and has been with Mercer since June 2018. During his time as a Financial Planner, he has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications. He is qualified to advise on all aspects of financial planning.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement planning; Pension consolidation and transfer advice, including defined benefit schemes; Inheritance tax mitigation strategies; Tax efficient investment solutions; Individual protection; Business Protection.
Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with family and likes most sports, especially football, cricket and rugby.
My passion is people, and with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have had the privilege of guiding numerous clients on their financial journeys. Whether it's helping a business owner protect their family and employees in the event of long-term illness or premature death, facilitating intergenerational tax planning for families, or assisting individuals in understanding when they can afford to retire, I am dedicated to providing tailored financial solutions.
As a Chartered Financial Planner, I possess the knowledge and expertise to assist you effectively. My extensive experience in the industry allows me to offer valuable insights and support, ensuring that your financial goals are met with confidence.
I am also a proud member of the Mercer Women at Wealth Group, an initiative that welcomes both men and women while focusing on tailored advice and awareness solutions for individuals and businesses. Our group is committed to helping you understand financial fundamentals, address gender-specific challenges, develop effective investment strategies, and plan for significant life events. Additionally, we provide access to a supportive network of like-minded individuals who share a commitment to financial empowerment.
Let’s work together to navigate your financial future! Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Women and Wealth womenandwealth@mercer.com if you have any questions or would like to discuss your financial goals.
Chris has practised as a Financial Planner since the mid-1980s, advising a range of individuals, corporate clients and trusts. Many of those clients have received holistic advice from Chris for more than 20 years.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning, pensions tax for higher earners and use of tax sheltering schemes); Intergenerational tax planning for families; Personal and business protection; Methods for investing corporate cash which was traditionally viewed as working capital, but which attracts only negligible interest at best.
With over 30 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry, Regina Tan has established herself as a leading expert in holistic financial advice. She has achieved Chartered Financial Planning status and is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, underscoring her commitment to excellence in her field.
Throughout her career, Regina has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, including corporate entities, individuals, and trusts, providing tailored financial solutions that address their unique needs. Her key areas of expertise encompass:
Personal Tax Mitigation: Specialising in inheritance tax planning, pensions tax strategies for high earners, and tax-efficient investment solutions.
Retirement Income Planning: Guiding clients who are approaching or currently in retirement to secure their financial future.
Intergenerational Tax Planning: Assisting families in navigating complex tax considerations to ensure wealth preservation across generations.
Personal Protection and Investment Strategies: Developing comprehensive plans that safeguard assets while optimising investment returns.
A strong advocate for personal development and well-being, Regina believes in the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health. She regularly engages in Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga, and mindfulness practices, which contribute to her holistic approach to life and work. In her leisure time, Regina enjoys reading, dining out, and attending theatre performances, enriching her life with culture and creativity.
neville.khorshidchehr@mercer.com
Neville holds a degree in Economics and Economic History from the University of Warwick (2002) and he is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. He is also a Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Wealth Manager CFP™.
Prior to joining Mercer in 2010, Neville worked for Tilney (formerly Towry Law) and for MLP, a leading German private wealth management company, providing wealth management and pension advice to Senior Executives and NHS consultants.
Neville is a West Ham fan and spends most weekends playing Uber to two energetic boys. He also likes to pretend he can play golf!
Stuart joined Mercer’s personal financial planning team in 2001. He is a consultant with responsibilities for advising new and existing clients on all aspects of their personal financial planning including pensions, investments and protection. Stuart also specialises in business protection solutions such as key person cover, shareholder protection and executive income protection.
Following his BA Honours Degree in Business Studies, Stuart became a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a Chartered Financial Planner. He holds specialist qualifications in pensions, tax and trusts and holistic financial planning.
Outside of work, Stuart captains his local squash team in the Middlesex League, plays occasional golf (when time permits) and he’s kept busy with his two children.
Tim joined Mercer in 1998 having practiced for over 20 years with leading accountancy and pensions firms. Tim is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Key areas of expertise: Providing financial guidance for employees, where there is a change in the way pension benefits are provided; Advising executives on all aspects of their personal financial planning, with a primary focus on pensions, investment and estate planning.
Tim had also previously been the Financial Adviser of the year of the Society of Financial Advisers (SOFA) - now called the Personal Finance Society - in one of a series of high-profile awards introduced by SOFA to promote excellence in personal financial planning.
Joe is a Chartered Financial Planner and holds a first class degree in Financial Services, Planning and Management. He has previously given sophisticated financial advice within financial planning practices, in both the UK and Hong Kong, and a globally recognised European Private Bank.
Joe is passionate about giving authentic holistic financial planning advice to clients of all ages, including businesses, their executives and employees, on all aspects of their financial planning requirements. This includes pensions, investments, protection and inheritance tax planning. Joe also enjoys educating the work place, especially young high earners, on thinking about the 'long term'.
Joe specialises in helping working professionals plan for their future using cash-flow modelling, helping wealthy individuals and their families with inheritance tax planning, that includes passing on wealth to the next generation, and advising business owners.
In his spare time he likes to play golf, add to the countries he has travelled to and watch his beloved football team, Liverpool.
Anthony is a highly experienced adviser with over 20 years of expertise in guiding clients towards their financial goals. As a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, he has built a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Additionally, Anthony is an affiliate member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), further enhancing his ability to assist clients in estate planning and wealth transfer.
Anthony specialises in working with private clients, helping them build wealth through investments, planning for retirement, and efficiently passing on their wealth to the next generation.
Outside of work Anthony likes to cycle, he attempts to compose music and is usually busy ferrying the kids around their various activities.
Alex has 14 years’ experience working in financial services, within a variety of roles, managing teams, advising on group pension schemes and as a Financial Planner working with personal wealth.
Alex likes being able to put his qualifications to good use and help clients to reach their objectives.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning and pensions tax for higher earners); Tax efficient lump sum and regular investments; Personal and business protection.
Away from work, Alex has recently stopped playing football and taken up golf. Alex and his wife enjoy eating out with friends, socialising and having plenty of fun with their children.
Kimberley has 15 years’ experience working in financial services, within a number of roles, with the last 11 years as a Financial Planner. During this time, Kimberley developed her skills and technical knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications. She holds Chartered status and is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning and pensions tax for higher earners); Tax efficient lump sum and regular investments; Cashflow planning; Financial planning around divorce; Personal and business protection.
With over seven years of experience in the Financial Services sector, Oli has built a diverse skill set across various roles. Most recently supporting individuals of large corporations to take control of their financial wellbeing. His passion for the industry drives him to provide exceptional support and advice to his clients.
Oli is dedicated to understanding the unique circumstances of clients of all ages, offering tailored solutions that encompass retirement planning, inheritance tax strategies, investment management, and protection planning. His holistic approach ensures that each client receives personalised advice that aligns with their financial goals.
Outside of work, Oli enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the gym, playing golf and travelling.
Vincenzo is an accomplished financial professional with extensive experience in the financial services sector. Originally from Italy, Vincenzo has dedicated the past seven years to Mercer, where he has progressed from an Administrator to a Financial Planner. Vincenzo possesses in-depth technical expertise across various areas of financial planning, with a strong focus on estate planning, cash flow scenarios, and tax planning.
Vincenzo is highly qualified, holding the Certified Financial Planner Professional Statement and the Chartered Wealth Manager designation from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending quality time with his young family and friends. He is a sports enthusiast, Vincenzo loves watching rugby and is a devoted supporter of his favourite football team, Napoli.
Barry has 15 years’ experience working in financial services, including several years both as an Investment Consultant and Technical Paraplanner. He brings a wealth of experience to his clients across pensions, investments, personal protection, and wider planning for tax-efficiency.
He particularly enjoys working with clients to map out future cash flow scenarios, and wherever possible, to improve their financial knowledge and confidence.
Barry holds a degree in Economics and is a CFA Charterholder. Away from work he enjoys spending time with his young family, and travelling the world by train.
Claire considers herself to be a people person; she loves meeting new clients and finding out what they really want in life and helping them achieve their goals. Claire is a holistic adviser who is able to consider all areas of financial planning to meet people’s specific needs.
Claire has more than 18 years’ experience working in financial services, in roles ranging from Pensions Administration through to Financial Planner. During that time, she has gained a wealth of experience and technical knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications. Claire is a member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and Diploma qualified.
Key areas of expertise: Pensions and retirement planning; Defined benefit (final salary) pension analysis; Investment review and advice; Retirement Forecasting.
Outside of work, Claire enjoys spending time with family, taking long walks with her dog, running and socialising with friends.
Carl is a Chartered Wealth Manager, Chartered Financial Planner, Certified Financial Planner and Fellow of The Personal Finance Society, with over 30 years’ experience in financial services.
Carl is a member of The Personal Finance Society (PFS) and The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). As a member of these professional bodies, Carl is required to undertake continuous professional development. This demonstrates an ongoing commitment to professionalism and the highest standards of knowledge, skills, competence and behaviour.
Carl’s role is to support clients to manage, enhance and protect their wealth. He works across all client areas.
Key areas of expertise: Investment and pre-retirement planning; Near and post retirement planning; Inheritance tax; Individual protection; Business protection (including key person cover and business succession planning).
Outside work, Carl enjoys relaxing with family and watching football.
James has more than 18 years’ experience working in financial services, in roles ranging from an Administrator, a Paraplanner and now a Financial Planner. During that time, James has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications. James is qualified to advise individuals on all aspects of financial planning.
Key areas of expertise: Investment and pre-retirement planning, including cash flow forecasting, annual allowance and lifetime allowance planning advice; Post retirement planning including retirement options advice; Ongoing investment management advice for investment and pension wrappers; Inheritance tax planning, including the use of Trust’s and Business Property Relief solutions; Personal and business protection, including key person cover, shareholder protection and relevant life policies.
Outside of work, James enjoys playing golf and spending time with family and friends.
Mike has 13 years’ experience working in financial services, with roles ranging from Pensions Consultant where he’d advised companies on their pension arrangements, to his current role as a Financial Planner with Mercer Private Wealth. During this time, Mike developed his skills and technical knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement planning for individuals and couples; Lump sum / regular investments; Personal tax planning (including inheritance tax and pensions tax allowances); Personal protection policies (life assurance, critical illness, income protection); Business protection (key person cover, relevant life policies).
Away from work, Mike enjoys running and playing tennis, and is also a keen amateur chef and loves to travel.
Stuart has 14 years’ experience working in financial services, with roles ranging from Pension Consultant where he’d advise companies on their group pension arrangements, to his current role as a Chartered Financial Planner with Mercer. During this time, Stuart developed his skills and technical knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning and pensions tax for higher earners); Tax efficient lump sum and regular investments; Personal and business protection.
Away from work, Stuart enjoys spending time with his young family, hill climbing in the Scottish highlands with his dog (all weather permitting) and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.
Rob has over 15 years’ experience working in financial services, within a variety of roles, managing teams, Para-planning as a Pension Transfer Specialist and as a Financial Planner working with personal wealth. Rob has attained Chartered status and likes being able to put his qualifications to good use and help clients to reach their objectives.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning and pensions tax for higher earners); Tax efficient lump sum and regular investments; Personal protection.
Away from work, Rob enjoys playing five a side and spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys going to watch Liverpool FC and is a season ticket holder.
Michael has close to 25 years’ experience in working within financial services. During that time, Michael has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as attaining professional qualifications. Michael works across all client areas.
Key areas of expertise: Pre and post retirement planning; Investment advice; Inheritance tax planning; Pension legislation and taxation; Pension transfer analysis work.
Outside of work, Michael enjoys playing and watching many sports. His sporting highlights are running the London Marathon in 2015 having raised money for Cancer Research UK and in his role as football manager for his son’s team, becoming League Champions in 2016.
Andrew has been working in the financial services industry since 2005, following the completion of his degree from Bournemouth University. A significant portion his career was spent with a major life company, where he honed his expertise in pensions and inheritance tax solutions. It was during this time that Andrew realised his passion for working directly with clients and helping them achieve their financial goals, which ultimately led him to become a financial planner.
Throughout the years, his experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of various financial areas that are crucial for clients, including investments, pensions, protection and inheritance tax mitigation. This knowledge enables him to offer tailored advice and guidance, empowering clients to make informed decisions about their financial future.
Outside of work, Andrew is happily married and together they have three children. They love to spend their free time exploring the New Forest and discovering new walks in the local area. Staying active is important to Andrew and when time allows, he enjoys cycling and running.
Emma’s passion is meeting new clients and building long term business relationships with them. Emma prides herself with having an exceptional skill for understanding client needs and objectives whatever their stage in life and guiding them through the required advice for their needs and circumstances.
Emma has more than 20 years’ experience working in financial services, and has been a fully qualified Financial Planner for the last 16 years.
Key areas of expertise: Cash flow modelling and financial plans; Pensions and retirement planning- both accumulation and decumulation phases; Defined benefit (final salary) pension analysis and advice; Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning.
Outside of work, Emma is a happily married mother of two. As a family, they are passionate about sports and being outdoors in their spare time.
Martin has now been in the financial services industry for over 34 years, learning his trade with some of the top UK insurance companies. In 2000, Martin joined a top 10 Global accountancy firm to provide bespoke financial advice to their clients, both individual and Corporate. This provided Martin with a really good grounding in tax planning.
Key areas of expertise: Maximising income leading up to and at retirement using tax breaks including pensions, investments, VCT’s EIS’s and AIM; Inheritance Tax Planning; How Directors can make the most out of Company profits; Helping clients to get the best out of their capital.
Outside of work, Martin likes to keep fit by walking the dog, circuit training and cycling. He also enjoys sailing, cruiser racing from his local club, taking holidays in hot sunny climes and skiing.
James has 23 years’ experience working in financial services, with roles ranging from a Pension Consultant where he advised companies on their group pension arrangements and helping employees around retirement decisions, to his current role as a Financial Planner with Mercer. During this time, James developed his skills and technical knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement income planning for those approaching and at retirement; Pension Transfers ; Personal tax mitigation (including inheritance tax planning and pensions tax for higher earners); Tax efficient lump sum and regular investments; Personal and business protection.
Away from work, James enjoys spending time with family, travelling to explore new places, walking, cooking, playing golf and watching most sports. He can also speak French relatively well having lived in Normandy for a year.
Neil is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society with over 20 years experience in the industry. Neil’s aim is to always offer a first class experience to clients to suit their needs, to help them succeed financially and achieve their dreams & aspirations.
Key areas of expertise: Investment and pre-retirement planning; Post retirement planning; Inheritance tax planning; Individual protection planning; Business Protection planning.
Outside of work Neil is a very keen fisherman, a keen amateur cook, enjoys exercise & sport and travel with his wife and 3 dogs.
Ken has more than 28 years’ experience working in financial services, in roles ranging from corporate employee benefits, including managing workplace pension schemes, to providing financial advice to individuals. During that time, Ken gained a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as attaining professional qualifications.
Ken is qualified to advise clients on all aspects of financial planning however does have a number of areas in which he specialises.
Key areas of expertise: Retirement planning; Pension consolidation and transfer advice, including Defined Benefit schemes; Inheritance tax mitigation strategies; Tax efficient investment solutions; Individual protection.
Outside of work, Ken enjoys spending time with his family, long walks and keeping fit.
