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 and is chairman of Bishopsgate Corporate Finance Ltd, another sister company of the Duncan & Toplis group of companies. 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 Grantham area and lists cars, sport, travel and good food as his interests.

Email: andy.severn@casfin.co.uk

Nick Gardner

Non-executive Director

Nick is a non-executive Director of CFM 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

Marie Kerr

Office Manager

Marie is the Office Manager at Castlegate. Marie started with the firm in 2013 as administration support, quickly becoming part of a busy adviser team. With three years’ experience as a Financial Services Administrator to an IFA, Marie became Deputy Office Manager in March 2016. She progressed her career and became Office Manager in 2018, now ensuring the Office runs smoothly, taking an active lead on data processes and procedures within the firm and adhering to regulations from external sources. Marie 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 enjoys cooking, gardening and of course, the odd cocktail with friends!

Email: marie.kerr@casfin.co.uk

Paul Newton

Advice Manager

Paul is the firm’s Advice Manager ensuring the quality of financial advice is of the highest standard. He is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, qualified as an investment manager, stock broker and an affiliate of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners with nearly 30 years of experience. His primary role is to provide oversight and support to CFM’s advisers and technical specialists. Paul is married with three cats and is consequently ranked fifth in his household.

Email: paul.newton@casfin.co.uk

Sarah Coulson

Chartered Financial Planner

Sarah has been in the financial services industry since beginning her career with Sun Life in 1989 based in Bristol. Since then Sarah has worked in banking and also within the corporate employee benefits sector dealing with many London based firms. Sarah holds the specialist pension exam and currently advises on Small Self Administered Pension Schemes (SSAS), Self Invested Pension Plans (SIPP), Auto-enrolment and all aspects of employee benefits. Sarah holds her Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning with the CII and is a Chartered Financial Planner.

When not at work Sarah’s life revolves around her three children, horses and chickens – not to mention squeezing in a little amateur dramatics.

Email: sarah.coulson@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

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