Simon Whitney - Managing Director

Simon began his career in the investment industry in the mid 1980’s where he developed a wealth of knowledge on all financial matters and in 1991 he joined a well-known local Independent Financial Advisory firm where he advised a range of clients including family business’s, entrepreneurs and trustees.

Simon then worked in the City with a leading firm of stockbrokers and subsequently established Montpellier Asset Management in both Cheltenham and London to cater for his clients’ needs. Simon specialises in managing clients’ investments and has many years’ experience in structuring client portfolios in a tax efficient manner.

Mike Riddell - Wealth Manager

Mike started his financial planning career in 2001 and since then he has gained experience in all areas of financial advice. After successful periods with a major Insurance Company and a High Street Bank, he spent a number of years building his own IFA business before joining Montpellier Asset Management in 2017 where he concentrates on Pension Planning and Tax Efficient Investment advice.

Before coming into this profession Mike enjoyed a career as a General Manager in high street retailing which provided him with considerable knowledge and understanding of people, personalities and effective communication.

Richard Turnbull – Wealth Manager

Richard joined Montpellier Asset Management in early 2021 having started his career in mortgage advice in 1996, working for a number of IFAs, including a position in a firm specialising in Financial technology, bringing this experience to Montpellier.

Richard believes in a goal based, ethical approach to investing and prides himself in taking real time to understand his clients’ needs in order to help them plan appropriately for the medium to long term. His knowledge and experience of the mortgage market also enables him to provide sound advice in helping clients’ realise their homeownership aspirations, be it for their own residence, or for property investment.

Richard is a keen walker and cyclist and keeps his mind active via a number of local pub quizzes.

Chris Riddell – Wealth Manager

Chris has worked in financial planning for 12 years. He gained his qualifications and training during his time at a national firm before joining Montpellier Asset Management in 2021.

Prior to his financial planning career, Chris’ experience lay in accountancy, holding an honours degree in Accounting & Finance from University of Dundee. Chris combines his financial planning experience with tax planning expertise to offer tax efficient solutions in the field of pension and investments.

William Gregory – Wealth Manager

Will entered the financial services industry in 2017 through an apprenticeship in financial planning with a Bristol-based firm. Initially training as a mortgage adviser, Will moved to studying towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, completing this in 2020.

Will spent some time at a national property firm utilising his skills as mortgage adviser before joining us as a paraplanner and a mortgage adviser in February 2022, becoming a Wealth Manager in April 2023.

Will is an avid fan of motorsport and is a strong supporter of Arsenal.

Peter Howard - Private Finance Adviser

Peter operates mainly from our Cambridge office and has been in the field of Financial Services for over 30 years, initially in an advisory capacity but more recently as a marketing consultant for the promotion of financial instruments to institutions and wealth managers.

For our London and Home Counties clients Peter is one of the first people that you will meet at Montpellier and he is well versed in all aspects of Mortgage advice and Equity Release. Also he looks after some of our East of England ongoing client relationships as well as meeting new clients and explaining how our service proposition works and importantly how the gathering of client information helps smooth the financial planning process.

James Kinnear - Private Finance Adviser

James is a fully authorised Mortgage Adviser with over 25 years' experience in this field and he can assist with Residential, Investment, Buy to Let and Ex-Patriate Mortgages for both individuals and corporates. Another area where James can also help is in the specialist Equity Release and Lifetime mortgages sector which has seen huge growth over the last few years.

James can also assist with all aspects with commercial finance and personal loans and has access to the whole of market for the most suitable and attractive options.

Will Shuker – Private Finance Adviser

Will Joined Montpellier Asset Management in early April 2023, having spent the previous 7 years working for a well-established High Street Insurance broker, where he gained experience in a wide range of insurances, ranging from Protection to Private Client products.

Prior to joining the Financial Services Industry, he completed a BSc (hons) in Applied Geology, before working first in Civil Engineering and then Telecoms. Will is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.

He is currently working towards Dip PFS status.

Claire Butler – Office Manager and Paraplanner

Claire arrived at Montpellier several years ago after working for a prominent local Wealth Management firm for 16 years. Claire works closely with our advisers providing paraplanning support and office management. She ensures that the office runs smoothly and that our processes are working as efficiently as possible and keeps a sharp eye on the important compliance returns that all Investment firms have to submit to the financial regulator, the FCA.

Abi Scales – Executive Paraplanner

Abi has worked in Financial Services for 9 years, starting at Liverpool Victoria before gaining a role as a paraplanner, attaining Dip PFS status in June 2022. Abi joined Montpellier Asset Management in May 2023, having held a Senior Paraplanning role for another local financial firm for the previous 4 years. Prior to her start in Financial Services Abi earned her BA at Bath Spa University.