Meet the Financial Planners and team behind Vesta Wealth.

Nick established Vesta Wealth in 1992 and is Managing Director of the InvestAcc Group, having previously worked for a large provincial accountancy practice and a national pension provider specialising in the self-invested pension market.

On the rare occasion when not in the office, Nick is a keen golfer.

Julia began employment with an accountancy practice in West Cumbria where she helped develop their financial services division before joining InvestAcc Group in 1998.

Specialising in Self Invested Schemes, she was instrumental in us gaining HMRC Pensioneer Trustee status, the establishment of our Pensions Department and the launch of our own SIPP. In 2002 she became Director and Company Secretary and now devotes most of her time to the daily management and running of the Company.

Outside of work she likes to travel, is a huge Formula 1 fan and a bad golfer!

Gary Mirfin is a Director based at our Tees Valley office and has over 30 years of industry experience.

He joined the company in 2005 having previously worked for two major life offices specialising in pensions, where his roles encompassed both sales management and pension trustee duties. He is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), the Personal Finance Society (APFS), and a Chartered Financial Planner.

In his spare time Gary enjoys playing golf, travelling, and any live entertainment.

Matt joined Vesta Wealth in 2016 after completing a degree in Economics and Finance. He is a Chartered Financial planner, holding the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning from the CII. He also holds the Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management and the Certificate in Pension Transfer Advice. His main roles in the company are acting as an Independent Financial Adviser, while also working as the lead investment manager for our Passive portfolios which form part of our model portfolio service.

Outside of work, Matt is a keen sports fan and film buff.

Gary has over 20 years’ experience in finance covering portfolio management and investment analysis, working for national businesses such as Barclays Wealth and Brewin Dolphin. After leaving Brewin Dolphin he helped establish Vertem Asset Management back in 2010.

He holds the CISI Diploma and Certificate of Investment Management. Gary received a national award for the completion of his diploma. Holding a BA (Hons) Politics & Economics with the Open University and an MSc Finance with the University of Leicester, Gary also worked as an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria University and helped students develop their finance careers.

Outside of work he enjoys keeping fit, photography, history, travel, literature and supporting Shrewsbury Town FC.

Catherine was welcomed to the Vesta Wealth team in 2015 and has achieved her Diploma in Financial Planning. She is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

Prior to joining Vesta Wealth, Catherine worked for two large insurance companies in the North of England. Preferring to deal directly with clients, she moved up to Carlisle from Manchester and worked with a local IFA practice to assist them initially with their auto enrolment proposition.

She has two dogs which keep her busy, and when not entertaining them she enjoys the gym, socialising with friends and family and a bit of salsa dancing.

Steve Jolly joined Vesta Wealth in 2015 as a Diploma qualified financial adviser based at our Tees Valley Office.

With over 25 years experience in financial services and a member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), Steve has a wealth of experience in dealing with clients from all walks of life, from young families taking their first steps on the financial ladder to company directors needing more complex advice.

He is a strong believer in providing full financial advice to clients, providing guidance on all aspects of their finances by undertaking in depth reviews of their current situation, pointing out areas of strengths and weaknesses in their financial arrangements.

Away from work, Steve is married with one daughter, he enjoys spending time in the gym keeping fit and is also a keen runner and a longstanding supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Kevin joined Vesta Wealth in 2013 as a qualified Consultant with over 30 years’ experience within financial services.

The holder of the Diploma in Financial Planning (Dip PFS) and a qualified Retirement and Transfer Specialist, Kevin is also fully RDR compliant and the holder of the ‘Statement of Professional Standing’ (SPS).

Being fully independent, Kevin is able to provide advice and guidance in most areas, and therefore able to cater for all needs and requirements whether for personal or corporate needs.

Outside of work and family commitments, Kevin’s interests are far removed from everyday life in that he is a very keen motorcycle enthusiast and follower of Real Road Racing both here, the Isle of Man and Ireland. His combined enthusiasm for motorcycle racing and photography has developed into charity funding and the production of an annual calendar and yearly photographic exhibition on the Isle of Man during the TT festival. Other interests include gardening, DIY and joinery.

Graeme Cross joined Vesta Wealth in 2012, having previously been advising clients for over 25 years with various companies.

He is happy that Vesta Wealth allows him to bring additional expertise, investment processes and efficiencies to add additional value in his provision of financial advice to help protect, build and enhance his clients’ future financial security towards and through retirement.

Graeme has obtained the Diploma in Financial Planning and is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and whilst he specifically enjoys providing advice within investment and retirement planning, he also has a young family ensuring that clients are aware of the financial protection they should have in place to help maintain their standard of living should the worst occur.

During his spare time, Graeme enjoys all sports and in the winter months coaches his son’s local football team and also provides after school coaching to all year groups in the local village primary school. In the summertime Graeme’s main passion is cricket, again coaching youngsters but also now playing in the Eden valley cricket league for Rockcliffe CC after being persuaded out of retirement having previously played for Workington CC for 28 years in the North Lancashire League. He would also like to get his golf handicap reduced but playing regularly at present is proving to be quite difficult.

Nigel joined us in 2011, he is a Chartered Financial Planner.

When not at work, Nigel enjoys his family, travelling, walking, music, photography and motor sports.

Jon Targett joined the team in 2010 and is our Compliance Manager. Jon entered the financial services industry in 1991 and gained sales and managerial experience in various roles prior to joining us.

Jon is a ‘enthusiastic amateur’ at clay pigeon shooting, a fan of all motorsports and can sometimes be seen somewhere in the Lake District on a Sunday morning riding his motorcycle.

Stephen joined Vesta Wealth in 2021 to provide paraplanning support to our team of advisers based in our Carlisle Office.

Stephen lives in Brampton and outside of work can be found walking the fells in the Lake District and surrounding areas.

Ben joined the Tees Valley Branch of Vesta Wealth in 2022.

Initially joining to provide Paraplanner support to our team of advisors in the North East, Ben has taken strides towards becoming a fully qualified Financial Adviser having completed his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys playing rugby, supporting the Newcastle Falcons, photographing the Lake District, and is a keen member of a local pub quiz team.

Tom joined Vesta Wealth in 2021; he is based in the Tees Valley Branch in Stockton on Tees.

Whilst working on his current Financial Services apprenticeship, Tom supports the administrative functions in the office on a daily basis.

Outside of work, Tom enjoys performing live gigs around the North East with his band, playing football and attending his local gym.

Tom joined Vesta Wealth in 2021 having previously worked in a number of industries including a local estate agents and a national pension provider.

Tom primarily provides paraplanning support to the team of advisers in the Carlisle office and is also a qualified mortgage adviser

Outside of work Tom enjoys spending time with his young daughter, following Carlisle United and playing Football Manager. His greatest achievement in the game being taking Carlisle United to the Champions League.

Joanne joined Vesta Wealth initially as an Administrator in 2012 and has over 13 years experience in financial services.

She lives in Carlisle with her family and is a big Formula One fan. On the rare occasions she gets peace from her children she enjoys reading and a glass of wine.

Laura joined Vesta Wealth in 2006 after completing an NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration at Carlisle College. She deals with all new business and adviser support for Nick Gardner, Graeme Cross, Kevin Collier and Gary Mirfin.

Laura lives in Carlisle but outside of work you would most likely find her walking in the Lake District and is currently working her way through completing all 214 Wainwrights which coincides with her passion for photography.

Charlotte joined Vesta Wealth in July 2024.

She has a background in Medical Sciences and is looking to begin an apprenticeship in financial advice.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her dog and swimming in the lakes. She has also learned to DJ at home, and frequently travels the country to see her favourite DJs and producers.

Sarah joined Vesta Wealth in 2022 and is based in the Tees Valley Branch in Stockton. She has over 30 years experience working in an administration role, and 10 years within financial services.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys keeping fit, spending time with family and friends ,and doing a little crafting when time allows!

Pam joined Vesta Wealth in 2002 as an administrator with 20 years secretarial/administration experience in the insurance industry and deals with collection of our fees.

Pam lives in the nearby town of Wigton with her husband and enjoys music, eating out, yoga, fellwalking, and spending time, in the Lake District and abroad, in their camper van and is also a fan of Moto GP.

Ross joined Vesta Wealth in 2015; he helps keep our systems, IT and telecoms equipment working and as such is a very important and popular member of the team.