Andy Severn

Managing Director

Andy is Castlegate’s Managing Director. He is also a Director of Castlegate’s parent company, Duncan & Toplis, in charge of their Grantham office where Castlegate is based. Andy is a member of Duncan & Toplis’s management board having joined the firm in December 1983. He specialises in tax advising and planning affecting individuals, settlements and businesses. Andy has particular expertise in advising agricultural estates and on farm diversification projects. Andy lives in the Cotswolds and lists cars, sport, travel and good food as his interests.

Email: andy.severn@casfin.co.uk

Nick Gardner

Director

Nick is a Director of Castlegate and has been assisting the board since the company formation in 1994, currently Managing Director of the InvestAcc Group, Nick has previously worked for a large provincial Accountancy Practice and a national pension provider specialising in the self-invested pension market, in addition to consultancy assignments Nick provides general financial planning advice to a wide portfolio of clients, many of which are second generation. Nick is a Chartered Financial Planner (APFS) and Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), when not in the office Nick is a keen golfer.

Email: nick.gardner@casfin.co.uk

Graeme Hills

Director

Graeme is a Director of Castlegate, as well as a Director of Duncan & Toplis Ltd, and is based at the Grantham office. Graeme is a member of Duncan & Toplis’ Tax Strategy Board, as well as Head of Legal Practice with sister company Duncan & Toplis Probate Services Limited. Graeme lists Corporation Tax, capital allowances and VAT on land & property among his specialisms, as well as having involvement in the tax aspects of Lloyd’s underwriters as part of the Fidentia team. Graeme is driven by a genuine (and some might say unhealthy) enthusiasm for tax work, and providing bespoke tax advice aimed at the specific needs of each client. Outside of the office, Graeme enjoys cooking, gardening, obeying the whims of his cat and is a keen American Football enthusiast.

Email: graeme.hills@casfin.co.uk

Jamie Moore

Office Manager

Jamie is the Office Manager at Castlegate. He joined the firm in 2017, and works closely with the board of Directors to support the adviser, paraplanning and administration functions. Jamie has a background working within the education sector and holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning by the CII, together with the Award in Leadership and Management by the ILM. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys going to the gym, watching the snooker and spending time with friends and family.

Email: jamie.moore@casfin.co.uk

Marie Kerr

Deputy Office Manager

Marie is the Deputy Office Manager at Castlegate. Marie started with the firm in 2013 as administration support, before becoming part of a busy adviser team. With experience as a Financial Services Administrator to an IFA, Marie originally became Deputy Office Manager in March 2016 and Office Manager in 2017 before taking maternity leave the following year. Returning as Deputy, Marie supports the smooth running of the office and loves to get her teeth into new projects. Marie has previous work experience within the Financial Industry. Marie lives in the local area with her partner and young daughter and enjoys baking, gardening, home improvements and of course, the odd cocktail with friends!

Email: marie.kerr@casfin.co.uk

Nicola Brown

Financial planner

Nicola has worked in financial services since graduating from university in 2011 with a degree in Law. She joined Castlegate in 2013, quickly progressing through the firm, spending much of her time working as a technical analyst. Nicola has obtained the Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute and is currently working towards Chartered Financial Planner status, providing advice on all aspects of financial planning; with particular expertise in relation to pensions. Outside of work Nicola enjoys travelling, running and socialising with friends.

Email: nicola.brown@casfin.co.uk

Sam Gibson

Chartered Financial planner

Sam began his career with our sister company, Duncan and Toplis, after graduating from university in 1996. He took up his position with Castlegate in 2000 and has successfully achieved Chartered Financial Planner status.
Sam advises clients upon all areas of financial planning and has particular expertise in pension and investment planning. When Sam is not at work he can be found assisting his wife with the rearing of their two young boys, George and Arthur. On the all too rare occasions that he is able to slip ‘off radar’ from his domestic bliss, Sam will normally be found by a lake, river or on a squash court.

Email: sam.gibson@casfin.co.uk

Heather Hodson

Chartered Financial Planner

Heather has been with the firm since 2004 and during this time has achieved Chartered Financial Planner status. Heather is an Independent Financial Adviser and deals in all aspects of personal and corporate investment and protection, along with pensions and tax planning. Heather lives locally and has a keen interest in baking, and enjoys traveling.

Email: heather.hodson@casfin.co.uk

Nick Lawson

Chartered Financial Planner

Nick has been with the firm since it started in 1994 and has been connected with our sister organisation Duncan & Toplis Chartered Accountants since leaving the Kings School in 1979. Nick has achieved Chartered Financial Planner status and is an Associate of the Personal Finance Society. He has an extensive portfolio of clients specialising in the Investment, Estate Planning and Portfolio Management of the business. Nick is a keen golfer and a qualified football referee. He is chairman of the Duncan & Toplis Charity Golf Day which holds an Annual Golf Day in aid of local charities.

Email: nick.lawson@casfin.co.uk

Tom Munday

Financial Planner

Tom’s background as a solicitor provides him with a unique perspective on holistic financial planning. As an affiliate member of STEP, and with expertise in long-term care insurance, Tom specialises in estate planning and family wealth preservation with a particular focus on IHT mitigation. When not at work, Tom can be found on the golf course, eating his fiancée’s baking or enjoying a long walk in the countryside, but never at the gym!

Email: tom.munday@casfin.co.uk

Peter Normington

Financial Planner

Peter has been in the Financial Services industry since 1988 and joined Castlegate in 2012 having had over 25 years in the banking sector as an Independent Financial Adviser. Peter holds the Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute and is working towards Chartered status. Peter deals in all aspects of financial planning with both personal and corporate clients. In his spare time Peter enjoys walking, cooking, weekends away without the children and socialising with friends.

Email: peter.normington@casfin.co.uk

Lisa Shepherd

Financial Planner

Lisa has worked in the financial services sector since leaving university in 1996. She started her career with a high street bank and moved over to the IFA world shortly after. Lisa has worked in Lincolnshire for the past 12 years and previous to joining Castlegate she worked for NFU Mutual, so understands the counties varied industrial sectors and worked very closely with both farming families and business clients. Lisa provides advice to both individuals and business clients on all aspects of financial planning. She holds the Diploma in Financial Advice and is studying towards the Chartered Financial Planner status. Outside of work Lisa enjoys horse riding, boating and spending time with family and friends.

Email: lisa.shepherd@casfin.co.uk

Adam Thompson

Financial Planner

Adam has worked in the financial services sector since graduating from university in 2015. Starting out as an Administrator, Adam quickly moved into a Technical Analyst role and is now a qualified Financial Planner. Adam has obtained the Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute and is currently working towards Chartered Financial Planner status. When Adam is not catching up on the sporting news or playing cricket for the village team in Welby, he will more than likely be found at the gym.

Email: adam.thompson@casfin.co.uk

Ben Addlesee

Ben joined Castlegate in 2019 after completing his degree in finance and economics, and now holds the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Ben currently provides administrative support to the firm’s longest serving adviser. Ben enjoys walks in the countryside with his partner and spaniel scout, taking advantage of local restaurants and supporting Leicester Tigers.

Charlotte Hall

Charlotte joined the Castlegate team in 2015 and provides support to an Adviser managing a growing number of clients. Charlotte has a history of working in debt management, and outside of work enjoys going to the gym, travelling and spending time with family and friends. Charlotte is currently studying towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

Lauren Hanson

Lauren joined the firm in 2016 and provides administrative support in a long-standing team. Lauren started at Castlegate shortly after finishing Sixth Form, and is currently working towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, long country walks with her Rottweiler and attending pilates and fitness classes (together with the odd cocktail or two!).

Simon Hayes

Simon joined the Castlegate team in 2016 and works closely with the firm’s advisers and administrators. Prior to joining the firm, Simon worked in quality and training for the insurance industry. Outside of work, Simon is a football fanatic and an avid supporter of his local team, Grantham Town. Simon runs on a regular basis and proudly coaches the Gonerby U8s, a team one of his sons plays for.

Louise Naylor

Louise joined the team in 2006 and supports many of Castlegate’s self-administered pension schemes. Outside of the office, Louise enjoys cooking, baking, gardening and going to the gym, together with ferrying her son around between his various activities!

Leanne Pretlove

Leanne joined Castlegate in 2016, originally as a member of the receptionist team. Leanne has since progressed into administration and has provided support to a number of Advisers and a range of clients. Leanne has a background in finance, and is currently working towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. Outside of the office, Leanne enjoys trying new restaurants and travelling to new places with her son.

Kathryn Rowe

Kathryn joined the Castlegate team in 2018, with experience of working as a Senior Administrator in the distribution sector. Outside of the office, Kathryn is a member of her local netball and darts teams, and enjoys socialising and meals out with family and friends. Kathryn is studying towards the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

Andrew Thorbjorn

Andrew currently leads the Castlegate Pension Administration team and has worked in the financial services industry since 2006. Andrew holds the Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute and specialises in both small self-administered pension schemes and self-invested personal pensions. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys the theatre, travelling, tennis and football.

Email: andrew.thorbjorn@casfin.co.uk

Karen Wragg

After joining Castlegate as a Receptionist in 2014, Karen progressed into administration and has supported several Advisers within the firm. Karen has built strong relationships with many of Castlegate’s clients. Outside of work, Karen enjoys swimming, pilates, long walks and spending time with friends and family.

Connie Young

Connie joined the Castlegate team in 2002 and brings her experience of working within busy adviser teams to SSAS administration. In her free time, Connie enjoys gardening, keeping fit, sewing classes and baking.