You want a trusted partner who offers a personal, approachable service to help you make better financial decisions and avoid financial mistakes
Meet your team:
James de Lisle Wells
Chartered Financial Planner
Sarah Sillars
Practice Manager
James’ career as a financial planner started in 2008 and is one of a small number of Independent Financial Advisers who is both a Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner professional.
James is passionate about financial planning and seeing the benefit it provides. You will find James friendly, understanding, knowledgeable, straight talking with an ability to simplify the complex and an innate desire to help.
He has specific expertise in helping individuals and business owners plan for the future and is a self-confessed pensions geek.
James is married to the lovely Lisa and proud father to his two young children, Thomas and Poppy.
Outside of work James describes himself as an occasional runner, distinctly average golfer, avid reader, armchair sports fan, tortured Gloucester rugby supporter and a keen walker - ably supported by his loyal companion, Quincy.
Likes:
The English Countryside, a good book, a long lunch, Gloucester Rugby, stoicism.
Sarah’s whole career has always been focused on delivering the highest levels of client satisfaction and has worked in Financial Services since 2008.
Whether arranging client meetings, processing new business or handling general queries or concerns Sarah is always at hand to help as required.
Sarah has completed exams for Protection, Ethics and Regulations and Investments and is currently working towards a Diploma in Financial Planning.
Sarah has two daughters, one aged 24 who is a keen traveller and one aged 18 who has just finished her A-levels and loves to play hockey .
When not standing on the sidelines cheering, she can be found at the gym, walking her cocker spaniel or eating good food!
Likes:
Laughing with friends, fresh air, exercise, golf, drinking a chilled glass of rose.
Dislikes:
Queuing, bad manners, rice pudding.
Dislikes:
Social media, horror movies, shaving.
Lizzie York
Client & Operations Coordinator
Kat Mock
Paraplanner
With a friendly and approachable manner, Lizzie ensures that every client feels supported and valued throughout their journey with de Lisle Financial Planning. Drawing on her background in client service, recruitment, and running her own business, she has a natural ability to organise and streamline processes, making things easier for both clients and the team.
Lizzie is passionate about building strong relationships, managing the details behind the scenes, and creating a positive, stress-free experience for clients. Whether it’s coordinating schedules, handling communications, or problem-solving, she brings enthusiasm and care to everything she does.
Lizzie has two young daughters Evie and Eleanor, loves yoga, riding, cold-water swimming, and going on outdoor adventures with her family and their dog, Charlie.
Likes:
Being by the sea where she grew up in Wales, a glass of merlot by a roaring pub fire, anything outdoors!
Dislikes:
Snakes, caving, sushi.
Kat has worked in the financial services industry since 2003 and worked alongside financial planners in various roles. In her role as paraplanner Kat helps with all things all things technical including research, calculations, report writing, problem solving and generally helping client find most appropriate solutions for their needs.
Since becoming a paraplanner in 2010, Kat has become a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and was very proud to be awarded Paraplanner of the Year 2017 by the Professional Paraplanner magazine and Paraplanner of the Year 2019 by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Kat prides herself in providing a personal, incredibly detailed and bespoke support. Always keen to learn, Kat will never rest on her laurels and is always looking for ways to improve both her own knowledge and that of those around her.
Likes:
My two rescue dogs, listening to a good audiobook, gardening (badly, but I try), spending time with family and friends, attempting to get and stay fit.
Dislikes:
Seafood, spiders, the cat that deliberately winds up my dogs.
Karen Malin
Compliance
Quincy
Office Manager
Karen has been in the industry since 1980, formerly a Registered Insurance Broker, currently a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and Chartered Insurance Practitioner with additional qualifications in customer care, financial planning and long hours of CPD plus financial services compliance experience.
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Karen helps us to ensure that our processes are compliant with regulations and that we are carrying out a financial planning service that is suitable and valuable for our clients.
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Outside work, Karen loves sports, travelling, and the great outdoors. She used to play Rugby Union but now plays tag, cycling and skiing – “clearly I just enjoy falling over spectacularly!”. She also speaks Greek.
Eager to please and always alert, Quincy is responsible for office morale and internal security.
Likes:
Tai Chi, Rugby, Real ale, Builders’ tea
Dislikes:
Rubbish coffee
Our qualifications:
James
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Level 6 Diploma in Financial Planning (CISI)
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Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning (CII)
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Diploma in Financial Planning (CII)
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Certificate in Financial Planning (CII)
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Certificate in Life and Pensions (CII)
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Award in Long Term Care Insurance (CII)
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BSc (Hons) Transport & Logistics Management
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Coaching and Mentoring for Leaders (EQA & EMCC)
Sarah
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R01 Financial Services, Regulation & Ethics (CII)
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R02 Investment Principles & Risk (CII)
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R05 Financial Protection (CII)
Kat
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Fellowship
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Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
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Diploma in Financial Planning
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Certificate in Financial Planning
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Certificate in Equity Release
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Award in Pensions Update
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Certificate in Mortgage Advice
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Certificate in Life & Pensions
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Award in Long Term Care Insurance
Karen
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Chartered Insurance Practitioner
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Certificate in Regulated Customer Care
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Fellowship of the Chartered Insurance Institute
