Meet The Active Financial Team

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Glyn Pemberton
glyn.pemberton@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Glyn's career began in 1974 with the Co-operative Insurance Service. He remained with CIS until 1986 when he joined Allied Financial in Guisborough in the very same office that is today home to Active Financial Services. Eventually a director of Allied, Glyn was instrumental in developing its mortgage, life insurance, pensions and investment portfolios, and firmly establishing the company in the Tees Valley area. When Allied closed in 2000, Glyn stepped forward to establish Active Financial Services and to continue serving many of Allied's customers. Since then, he has helped steer the business through steady growth and development.

What's important

"Do not over-promise or under-deliver. There are lots of Financial Advisers in the marketplace, but I'd like to think that what sets us apart from the rest is how we treat our customers. It is not just simply a matter of treating everyone equally and fairly, how can you when everyone's needs are different?, but of ensuring that we always endeavour to deliver what each customer needs relative to their circumstances."

On a personal note

Glyn lives with his wife in Ingleby Barwick and has two grown-up sons, Karl, an independent financial adviser, and Mark, an accountant. His hobbies include walking and music, but, above all, likes spending time with his family.

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Karl Pemberton
karl.pemberton@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Karl spent ten years at Yorkshire Bank, latterly as a private banking manager, follwed by two years at RBS, as an investment banking manager. Always based in the North-East, his "patch" took him from Alnwick to Humberside. He advises customers across the full spectrum of IFA services but thanks to his extensive background in the higher net worth market, he specialises in bespoke lending to personal individuals, commercial finance, and also personal investments. "The banking profession provides excellent grounding for a Company Director, as you gain a unique insight into company structure, processes and management," he says.

What's important

"I believe that if you can instill your customer with confidence and then deliver what you promise, he or she will be a customer for life. Having a nice personal touch is important, but more important is making sure your processes, procedures and administration are first-class."

On a personal note

Karl lives with his partner Becky and his two young children in Ingleby Barwick. Not surprisingly, Karl's busy family life dominates his spare time, but Karl likes to find time to play football and indulge his passion for motorcars.

 

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Paul Gibson
paul.gibson@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Paul has joined Active Financial Services having spent 19 years at Yorkshire Bank, the last 8 years a Senior Financial Planner specialising in the high net worth private and corporate market.  Paul benefits from holding advanced qualifications which allow him to provide advice in more complex need areas.  Advising clients since 1996, Paul has a great reputation in the North East for his in depth knowledge of the market.  Paul’s 19 years in banking makes him the ideal individual to be Active’s Director of Operations.

Whats important

In regards to Active Financial Services as a company I believe that our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by consistently putting clients at the centre of our business.

From a personal view it is important that in an ever changing market I always continue to develop my knowledge.  I have found that the more exams I have passed the more confident I have been with clients.  I am also a great believer in treating clients as I would expect to be treated myself.   I would like to think that I have built my client relationships over the years on service, delivering what I say I will, when I will to ensure that all expectations are met.

On a Personal Note

Paul is married with 2 children and lives in Acklam, Middlesbrough.  He is a season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC and also plays football regularly to keep fit.  Paul also enjoys a round of golf when the diary permits.  

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Colin Burke
colin.burke@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Colin began his career in finance with Prudential, with which he was a general financial adviser for ten years until 1997. That year he joined London and Manchester, which became part of Friends Provident in 1999, and then, in 2001, the division of Friends Provident he worked for was transferred to Royal Liver. Colin fulfilled his ambition of becoming self-employed in 2003 when he began working with Glyn Pemberton under the umbrella of Active Financial Services. "Working for the Pru all those years, a well-liked and trusted organisation, was a valuable experience. I recognised during that period the value of seeing customers in their environment and still prefer to see people in their own homes, where they are most comfortable to discuss matter of personal importance."

What's important

"Keeping customers updated at all times. I like to review their circumstances on a regular basis so we ensure that the plans we laid down at the outset continue to meet their needs. On that basis, you can build long-term relationships with customers."

On a personal note

Colin is married with three sons, aged 17, 21 and 23, and lives in Normanby. A Middlesbrough season ticket holder, watching sport dominates Colin's leisure time. When he's not at the Riverside, he's supporting his sons playing either football or cricket.

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Mark Dobing
mark.dobing@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Mark began his career in finance in 1993. During his career, he spent five years at the Co-operative Bank and two years with Yorkshire Bank. He has been a fully qualified IFA since 1998 and holds the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate. Mark joined the ranks of Active Financial Services in December 2005 and today advises customers across the full spectrum of investments, pensions, mortgages, life insurance and savings.

What's important

"Trust is everything. Getting financial advice is not a one-stop shop. It takes one or two meetings to fully understand a person's circumstances and needs. I take great pride in that I still have customers who first came to me in 1993 and that's because we have built a relationship based on trust. It is also important to approach your work as a financial adviser as ethically as possible, ensuring you keep fully up to date with the market place, changing legislation and technical advances."

On a personal note

Mark lives with his partner in Middlesbrough and he has four children. A keen follower of sport, he supports Middlesbrough, plays five-a-side regularly, fitness permitting, and also enjoys a round of golf.

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Ian Layton
ian.layton@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Ian has worked as a financial advisor for nearly a quarter of a century, spending six years at Prudential, a brief spell at Lloyds Bank and 14 years with Yorkshire Bank. However, his is a lifelong interest in finance and he began building his own portfolio of stocks and shares at a young age. "I've always been fascinated by the trials and tribulations of the stock market," he says. In his role at Active Financial Services, Ian uses his experience to advise customers, a lot of them of many years standing, on investments, taxation and trusts, as well as Self-Invested Personal Pensions and Drawdown Pensions.

What's important

"With investments, it is important to know when to be bold and when to be cautious. I can be quite aggressive with my own portfolio, but with clients my strategy is always to protect their wealth first and foremost, and to help that wealth grow in a correct and responsible manner. It is essential they are fully aware of all the potential upsides and downsides from the outset, so they can have complete confidence in the advice they are given."

On a personal note

Ian lives in Guisborough with his wife. They have a son and a daughter, a police officer and a teacher respectively. He plays squash and also enjoys fly-fishing and walking his Labrador.

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Chris Leighton
chris.leighton@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

While gaining a 2:1 BSc degree in information technology at Teesside University, Chris enjoyed a successful placement at Huntsman Tioxide, in Billingham, and looked set to embark on an IT career with the company until a "gap job" with Barclaycard whet his appetite for the financial sector. He joined Active in February 2005, as an administrator, and gained his Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice within nine months. Chris now looks after the majority of Active's mortgage clients.

What's important

"It's vital that the advice you give is accurate, suitable and genuine, most importantly from the point of view of the client, but also in respect of the position of Active Financial Services as a provider of independent financial advice."

On a personal note

Chris is single and lives in Ingleby Barwick. Football plays a big part of his life and he is a Middlesbrough season ticket holder and continues to play "sociable" football, mainly five-a-side. His other hobbies are music and socialising.

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Ian Parminter
ian.parminter@activefinancialservices.co.uk

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Mark Reid
mark.reid@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Mark has joined Active Financial Services having spent 15 years at Yorkshire Bank with the last several years in Business Banking. Mark was a Relationship Manager of a complex and diverse portfolio of clients tailoring financial solutions to trading and property businesses. He has built a great reputation in the West Yorkshire area with an extensive network of professional contacts. In addition to his Commercial background Mark has worked in the Branch Network, Credit and Private Banking roles and is fully mortgage qualified.

Whats important

The lifeblood of any business is its people, they are central to the success of it coupled with the framework of advice and service given by professionals. I have built many relationships over the years on delivering an excellent service and by placing the client at the centre of this thought process.

On a Personal Note

Mark lives in Rothwell, Leeds.  He is a season ticket holder at Leeds Rhinos and follows them around the country; Mark is a keen footballer, a League Official of his local Football League and manages a Local and Representative XI football team.  

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James Robertson
james.robertson@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

After gaining his degree in 1987, James began his career in Financial Services by joining Clerical Medical as a Broker Consultant.  After three successful years, James bacame an IFA and along with establishing his own firm, James also managed the Financial Services Department in a law firm. James joins the Team at Active following a period working with Lamb & Associates, Newcastle. James has advanced qualifications in Taxation and Trusts, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning and Investment Portfolio Planning.  He is also a member of the College of Teachers, a committee member of the Sunderland & Noth Durham Royal Society for the Blind and he also works with the University of Tampere and Kesamaki International School in Finland.

What’s important

 

On a personal note

James is married with one son.  Although originally from South Yorkshire, James now spends most of his time in the North East whilst working, or in Finland with his family.

 

 

 

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Denise Wherrett
denise.wherrett@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career profile

Following a varied business life with wide experience, Denise started her career as a financial adviser 16 years ago with an investment company in the Middlesbrough area. Having worked as an adviser with Norwich Union, Sun life and AXA, Denise then became an independent adviser.  Although based in the North East, Denise also has customers from further afield, mainly as referrals from satisfied customers.  Denise advises across the fell spectrum of IFA services and believes in demystifying finances and tailoring advice.

Whats important

People are important and advice based on trust and respect leads to long term relationships. Keeping up to date with investments ands opportunities is very important.

On a Personal note

Denise has three grown up children and a handful of grand children. With an active interest in life Denise enjoys many interests including, cycling, quizzes and gardening and is a judge for Yorkshire in Bloom.

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Rachel McCulloch
rachel.mcculloch@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Rachel had previously worked for the Yorkshire Bank for 18 years before joining the Active team in February 2009.  Her roles included many face-to-face positions, including Private Partner, managing a portfolio of High Net Worth Private Banking Clients at their Tees Valley offices.  Rachel has therefore significant experience in dealing with clients financial needs and this will give her a significant advantage in her role as Client Relations Manager.

Whats Important

I believe that first class customer service is the key.  From the first initial contact with a customer, I want them to know they are benefiting from a professional service from an experienced person that they can trust. This is priceless in the modern world.

Personal Note

Rachel is married and has a young son called Joseph and a Labrador called Bolo, named after the former Middlesbrough player Bolo Zenden!  Rachel lives in Ingleby Barwick and enjoys walking with the family.

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Andrew Gilmore
andrew.gilmore@activefinancialservices.co.uk

Career Profile

Andrew joined Active as an Administrator in 2007 following a succesful placement by the North East Chamber of Commerce training programme, aged just 18.  Andrew quickly expressed his desire for progression and began studying for his CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice) qualification, a qualification that Andrew now holds.  In 2010, Andrew was promoted to Senior Administrator, a role with which Andrew oversees all Administrative duties including junior Administrative staff. 

Whats Important

Personal Note

Andrew lives just a stone's throw from our offices in Guisborough.  He is keen footballer, however, he does support Leeds United!

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Laura Richmond
laura.richmond@activefinancialservices.co.uk