RORY ST JOHNSTON

Rory-St-Johnston

Rory has been associated with the financial services industry since 1986, initially working for LSD Software which specialised in providing portfolio management software to Financial Advisers and Stockbrokers.

Rory is the founder of McLaren Capital and oversees the running of the business as well as the investment process. Rory is also the principal relationship manager and liaison between many clients and the team at McLaren. Prior to forming the company Rory was Managing Director of Truestone Asset Management, a private client and corporate financial services company based in the city of London.

Throughout his 15 year tenure at Truestone he designed their strategic investment process and systems, built the foundation of the employee benefits division and managed many key client relationships.

Combined with his technical knowledge and fierce sense of honesty and transparency Rory provides a formidable combination of skills for his clients at McLaren Capital.

SIMON STODART

Simon-Stodart

Simon Stodart joined the team with over 25 years’ experience in financial planning and investment management. Simon brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to McLaren team, complementing and enhancing the research, investment and financial planning areas of the business.

In his spare time Simon coaches junior and youth rugby at club, County and Academy levels and enjoys fighting a losing battle with his garden.

ANGUS BRANFIELD

Angus Branfield joined the team with 30 years’ experience in financial planning and investment management gained mostly at firms based in the City of London, including 5 years previously working with Rory. Angus was impressed by the expert knowledge already in the McLaren team, the well-established planning process and an investment track record of excellence, which puts clients first. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

In his spare time he manages his younger son’s team at a local rugby club and keeps rare breed chickens.

GEORGIE STEWART

Georgie-Froggatt

Georgie is our Practice Manager, who joined McLaren Capital in August 2008 with eleven years experience in financial services, gained working with providers and in a financial planning environment.

During her time in the sector Georgie has developed a substantial working knowledge of products, from employee benefits through to mortgages. An essential part of that experience is how to communicate to clients in a comprehensive, professional and transparent manner and being the key to liaising with providers and the adviser to make administration and support absolute and seamless.

Georgie currently holds FP1 and both the CFA qualifications for Life and Pension business.

Georgie has an impressive shoe collection and admits to spending rather too much time cultivating it. Other favourite pursuits include nurturing her garden, nosing around National Trust properties and cooking up a storm.

RICHARD BEGGS

Richard joined the McLaren Capital team as a member of the investment committee in June, 2023. He has been in the investment industry since the late 1980s, most recently as CIO of Edmond de Rothschild (EdR), Private Merchant Banking in the UK. He joined EdR in 2013 and was appointed CIO of both the UK business and the Global Private Bank in 2015, a role in which he remained until 2020

Before EdR, Richard was Head of Investments for JP Morgan Private Bank in London between 2006 and 2012. Richard started his investment career as a research analyst at Cazenove in 1988 and moved into institutional fund management at Invesco in 1995, where he became a Partner in 1998 and was responsible for a number of fund management awards in that year.

Away from work, he is passionate about water sports, spending much of his spare time sailing, windsurfing and fishing. Richard is married and lives with his wife and three children in Surrey, England.

 

ADAM PICKETT

Adam works as an Independent Financial Adviser at McLaren. Based in Surrey, he works with clients across the South-East and London.

He has completed his Diploma in Financial Planning and gained specialist qualifications in Business Financial Planning. Using these, he can help busy professionals and business owners establish goals and build financial plans for themselves and their families.

Adam values helping people find simple solutions to their complex problems, the background to which comes from his time reading Physics at university. In a financial world that continues to get harder to navigate, he places an emphasis on making sure that the solutions he recommends can be understood by the client.

In his spare time, Adam can be found on the rugby pitch or playing board games with his friends.

JESSICA BEST

Jess joined us having gained several years in the financial services industry. Having achieved her Diploma in Financial Planning and on her way to Chartered status, she uses her knowledge from various leading national firms in the industry to ensure every client receives the unique experience they deserve, helping them achieve a financial plan for life. As an Independent Financial Planner, Jess also sits on our Investment Management Committee and supports Rory’s team.

With both a Master’s of Science and Bachelor of Science from Cardiff University, she has a passion for the charity sector, as demonstrated by her time spent researching and volunteering in Latin America, and now more locally with homeless communities across Surrey and Hampshire. Outside of work you will also find her attending local classes in ballet and Pilates as well as spending time with her family.

PAUL TOMPSETT

Paul Tompsett png 2 small.png

Paul is our Client Investment Manager and joins us with significant experience in the Financial Services sector. He has worked in the asset management industry for over twenty years, primarily in investment management roles for several companies including Aberdeen Asset Management Limited, SWIP, and Lloyds Private Banking. Paul has managed and advised on client investment strategies ranging from HNW discretionary portfolio clients, trustee, fund of funds, and institutional accounts. Paul’s competencies in fund and investment research have led to many successful client allocations into greater diversified portfolios and to the development of better investment selection. He has also previously worked in fund administration and equity capital raising roles.

Paul currently holds the ACIB qualification and continues to build on his investment knowledge.

Paul likes to travel and appreciate foreign cuisines. His other leisure pursuits include doing home improvement, swimming, going to air shows, and collecting books for an ever expanding library.

WILLIAM LAWTON

Prior to joining Mclaren as advisor, Will was Global Head of QUO, the digital wealth solution from TradingScreen Inc. Will is an experienced financial services leader in wealth management, private banking and fintech, holding several leading positions across London, New York, Zurich and Singapore.

Will’s experience includes strategy formulation and its implementation, sales and business development leadership, development and delivery of propositions, marketing function leadership and mobilising fintech wealth business transformation programmes. Will has extensive executive Board committee experience.

Will has over 30 years of experience in the financial and commodity markets globally, of which 15 years have been spent in Asia. Will's most recent Banking role was as Head of Investment Group for HSBC Private Bank in Singapore managing all discretionary, advisory and product services (including Corporate Finance)

Will was with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group for 15 years. From 2005 to 2009 he was the Chief investment Officer for the Private Bank (RBS Coutts) based in Zurich and was a member of the Executive Committee. During Will's tenure as CIO, he also served as a Board Director of numerous RBS asset management funds registered in Cayman Islands. Prior roles at RBS included Head of Financial Markets, Singapore; Treasurer of RBS USA and Global Head of Futures and Options based in London. Will moved back to Singapore in 2009 with Standard Chartered as Group Head of Advisory and Solutions for the consumer bank division. Will started his career in London as a commodities trader.

 

ALAN SIPPETTS

Alan’s background is active multi-asset investment management and he provides investment research, strategy, governance and oversight to investment funds, managers, and advisors. He is independent NED at Close Asset Management (UK) Ltd., Principal Investment Manager at Eden Park Investment Management, and Chair of London-listed specialist UK property company Alternative Income REIT plc.

Alan was Investment Director, Head of Research at Heartwood - Handelsbanken (2007-16) and oversaw investment across collectives, trusts and REITs at Lloyds Private Bank (2001-06). Previously he was Head of UK Smaller Companies at Legal & General IM and started his investment career in 1987 at Hermes.

Alan holds a BSc in Management Sciences-Economics from Lancaster University, where today he is a teaching fellow at the Management School. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

AMELIA CASTLE

Amelia joined McLaren Capital in April 2022 with over 15 years of industry experience. She is working closely with Simon and Angus as their technical support. She is a Chartered Financial Planner and is currently working towards the Certified Financial Planner qualification.

 

Outside of work, Amelia enjoys being active including running and walking her dog with her two young children and husband.

NIKI COVINGTON

Niki has several years of experience in the Financial Services industry in both Compliance and Paraplanning, supporting advisers at various IFA firms focusing on Wealth Management.

Niki has gained the certificate in Financial Planning.

She is keen to support the local community through volunteering at food banks and supporting individuals and families that find themselves in tough situations.

Outside of work she spends her spare time with her two children, husband, and dog.

Niki enjoys hot and sunny holidays abroad and exploring the UK in her motorhome.

JAYDEN VAGHELA

Jayden joined the McLaren team as Investment Administrator in July 2022 having recently graduated from the University of Surrey with his Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics.    

The role is multifaceted with involvement in both investment administration and also involvement and support for the Investment Management Commitee (IMC). Jayden has begun working towards his IMC qualification which dovetails in well.

Jayden is our skydiving hero. 

JOANNE LEE

Jo is our Head of Administration and came to McLaren with over 20 years experience in financial services gained working with providers and IFA’s.   During this time she has gained a wealth of knowledge in a variety of sectors in financial services which she uses liaising between the client, advisers and providers, to support and provide a professional working relationship with our clients.

At home Jo enjoys trying out new recipes, entertaining her friends as well as reading and walking her dog to relax.

EMMA INGALL

Emma-Ingall

We are delighted to have Emma onboard. She carries out the essential task of providing regular valuations for our customers as well as keeping our online valuations system up to speed.

Emma has become a central member of our team and is also the brightest member of staff by a long shot...but would never admit it! She now assists Georgie in our administration needs as well as being a full time Mum.

LUCY WARD

Lucy has joined McLaren Capital as an Administrator having worked in the industry for the past six years. She has great experience in the administration side of the industry and is keen to develop her knowledge further in financial planning and management and hopes to eventually work towards gaining her qualifications to become a Paraplanner.

At home Lucy is kept very busy with her two young children and loves spending time at home with her family. She also often enjoys trips to the theatre and meals out with friends.

ANNA BARTLE

Anna joined McLaren Capital having worked as an Administrator for an Investment Management firm in New Zealand for the past 10 years. With over 20 years of administration experience, Anna is looking forward to putting that experience to good use and getting to know the UK side of the industry.

Outside of work Anna enjoys quilting, baking and long walks with her dog.  Travel is another passion of Anna’s and she will happily talk to you endlessly about any trips you have taken.

WENDY COOK

Wendy joined McLaren in March 2018 and is now Executive Assistant to Rory and the Management Team, returning to work after a career in asset/software finance and raising her family.

During this latter time Wendy worked voluntarily for SANDS, the stillbirth & neonatal death charity, coordinating a project to raise £50,000 to create a bereavement suite at Royal Surrey County Hospital. She also supported bereaved parents by training healthcare professionals and acting as a Befriender both individually and by hosting support groups.

Outside McLaren Wendy is now a Bereavement Counsellor in private practice and works voluntarily for a leading bereavement charity.

Other interests include theatre, news and current affairs and walks with friends where at least one cup of tea is involved!



MARK DENNISON

Mark-Dennison

Mark Dennison heads up 'The Compliance Department', our external risk assessor and regulatory auditor. As protecting your interests is such an integral part of McLaren's business, Mark's role is to guide us on all things regulation and to test our processes to ensure our clients are always fully informed and the advice we deliver is insightful and robust.

Mark is an auditor by profession, having served with Ernst & Young and KMPG in his early career. As is the case with McLaren Capital, The Compliance Department's ethos is personal service tailored to a firm's particular needs and that's exactly what they provide, to the benefit of all our clients.

Alex Oattes

Alex joined the McLaren team in 2023 as our Senior Investment Administrator. His responsibilities include dealing and supporting the Investment Management Committee (IMC). He previously worked in the financial services industry as a Stockbroker, providing advisory services on UK Equities.

Alex is an associate member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments, holding level 4 qualifications in Financial Planning & Advice, Paraplanning and Securities.

In his spare time Alex enjoys rock climbing with his children, photography and playing board games with friends.