Who we are
Nicola Watts – Director and Certified Financial Planner
Nicola has achieved various additional qualifications covering areas including taxation and trusts and personal investment planning. However, her main achievement to date has been attaining the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Licence – an international benchmark for competence as a financial planner. By meeting rigorous international competency, ethical and professional practice standards, a CFP professional is qualified to deliver financial solutions that allow you to take control of your finances and achieve your life goals. The best Financial Planning results come from working with a CFP professional. In the UK the number of CFP licensees is growing. However, with still under 1000, this demonstrates the level of competency required to attain and maintain this designation.
Nicola joined the family business in 2000, following a brief career in recruitment having graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in politics in 1997. She qualified to provide advice in 2001 and has been a director of the business since 2006.
Jane Smith – Director and Certified Financial Planner
Working within the Financial Services industry since 1988, and providing advice for nearly twenty years, Jane has also attained the Certified Financial Planner Licence and holds various additional qualifications.
Having previously worked for another financial adviser, in 1994 Jane set up her own practice, Jane Smith Independent Financial Services. In 2002, the company evolved to become Jane Smith Financial Planning Limited, commencing the focus on planning as opposed to transactional advice. Jane now takes more of a back seat, leaving the everyday running of the business to daughters Nicola and Emma.
Emma Grounds – Director
Emma joined Jane Smith Financial Planning Limited immediately following her graduation from Brunel University in 2002, and has been a director since 2006. Emma, with the assistance of Melanie and Jodie, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the office.
Melanie Christie
Following completion of her Business and Accountancy degree, Melanie joined as Nicola’s PA in July 2005. She acts as main point of contact for many of Nicola’s clients, and is responsible for the preparation of client appointments, client administration and research. Melanie is currently working towards completion of her Certificate in Financial Planning.
Debra Davis
Having previously worked in a variety of roles, Debbie has been with us since July 2003 and holds all accounts and finance responsibilities.
