Our Managers

VICTORIA KIMMINGS

Victoria is our General Manager and primarily looks after all the advisers.
She joined the firm in January 2001. She previously worked for ABN Amro Securities in London trading in UK equities for large institutional clients.
Victoria is married with two young children, Emily and James. She enjoys doing different activities with her children, films, music and rugby (watching not playing!).

PAUL NEWTON

Paul has worked in financial services for nearly 20 years, has qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner & has graduated as an Associate from both The Personal Finance Society & from the Compliance Institute.

His role is to provide technical support to all staff, 'quality control' for the advice offered by CFM, product & fund research and ensures adherence to the regulator's rules & legislation.

Paul is married with two cats; consequently, Paul is currently ranked third in his household.

Our Administration Staff

Heather Lamin

Heather joined CFM in July 2004 and has successfully completed FPC1, CF2, CF3, CF4 CF5 and CF9 qualifications and has a full Certificate in Financial Planning.
Since joining the firm she has gained experience as a Pensions Administrator, working with SSAS and SIPP products and is now working closely with Sam Gibson as his Trainee Paraplanner.
Heather lives in Grantham and enjoys listening to live music and eating out.

Sharon Sharp

Sharon joined CFM in April 1996 with 18 years experience in the Financial Services Industry having worked for various life companies. She is qualified to Certificate in Financial Planning level 2.

Sharon has recently been on maternity leave and has returned to work on a part time basis, working in the administration team on client valuations.

Sharon and her family live locally. She enjoys music, Formula One and looking after her four cats.

Melanie Nicholson

Melanie joined the firm in April 2006 as a Para-Planner assisting all of our advisers, bringing with her over 19 years experience of the Financial Services industry. Melanie is full FPC qualified and is currently studying for the Diploma in Financial Planning.

Melanie lives just outside of Grantham with her husband and son and enjoys cycling, swimming, socialising with friends and eating out.

Hedley Davies

Hedley joined CFM in July 2006 as a PA to Russell Kitchen and brought with him over 25 years experience in the banking sector, having worked for TSB and HSBC in various clerical and management roles, including financial planning. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Degree equivalent) and is full FPC qualified.

He is a qualified cricket coach, supporting junior teams at Grantham Cricket Club and at County level as manager/coach of Leicestershire under 9s. Hedley enjoys football, road cycling, country walks and wildlife.

Laura Harris

Laura joined CFM in September 2006 as Head Receptionist having previously gained experience working at Grantham Hospital. Laura is now working as Personal Assistant to Sam Gibson. She has successfully completed examinations CF1 and CF2 and is currently studying towards Certificate in Financial Planning Level 3.

Laura lives in Grantham and enjoys keeping fit and socialising with friends.

Sue Gregory

Sue has worked for CFM for just over 7 years. She helps out in reception and undertakes general admin duties. She has worked for various local companies including a local free newspaper and the local hospital. Her interests include aerobics, dining out, socialising with friends and spending quality time with her children.

Connie Edwards

Connie joined CFM in August 2002 in general admin and is now working as PA for Annie Wright.

She is currently studying for the Financial Administration Certificate.

Connie has always lived in Grantham and spends her spare time socialising, keeping fit and loves listening to live music.

Selina O'Neill

Selina joined CFM in November 2004 as our receptionist and is now working as a PA for Paul Newton. Selina is currently studying for the Certificate in Financial Planning Level 1.

Selina has lived in Grantham for 10 years and spends her spare time singing with a local band and spending time with her little boy and her partner.

Trudy Bowles

Trudy joined in March 2007 as Receptionist. She has a background as secretary/PA within various organisations including commercial and merchant banks, industry and the NHS. She has lived in Grantham for about 10 years with her son and staffy!

Colin Warrener

Colin joined CFM in December 2007 as a Paraplanner and brings with him over 23 years Financial Services experience. He holds the full Financial Planning Certificate together with the CF9 Pensions Simplification qualification.

Colin was born and educated in Kent and he has recently re-located from an IFA brokerage in Oxfordshire. He is married with two young children and in his spare time he enjoys reading, current affairs, basic DIY and spending time with his family.

Melissa Schafer

Melissa joined CFM in October 2009 as an administrator and works closely with Annie Wright, Nick Lawson and Sam Gibson. Before joining CFM, she achieved a DDM for a BTEC National Diploma in Travel and Tourism.

Melissa lives in Grantham an enjoys shopping, going abroad and spending time with her partner.

Georgia Ayre

Georgia joined CFM in October 2009 as an administrator for Russell Kitchen, after gaining A-Levels at Kesteven and Grantham Girls School.

She currently lives in Grantham and enjoys socialising with friends, watching films and gymnastics.

Andrew Palmer

Andrew joined CFM in October 2005 as a GPP Administrator. Andy previously worked as an Employee Benefits Administrator/Account manager for a firm of Employee Benefits Consultants, who specialised in administering benefit packages for companies predominantly in the IT sector.

Since joining CFM in October 2005, Andy has attained the CII's CF2, CF3 & CF4 examinations and is currently working towards attaining CF5

Andy is an avid follower of Nottingham Forest FC (well somebody has to), and spends most weekends watching the Reds home and away. When not watching Forest, he enjoys motorcycling, music and historic aviation.

Paula Fowler

Paula joined CFM in June 2006 as part of our general financial administration team. She then moved to our Pensions Department, working on SIPP and SASS administration to expand her knowledge further and has since become PA for Nick Lawson. Paula has recently graduated from Lincoln University with a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies. She is currently studying for the Certificate in Financial Planning Level 1.

Paula lives in Grantham, enjoys socialising, jewellery making, shopping and horse riding.

Penny Harding

Penny has worked in the industry since she graduated with a degree in Business Economics and Finance in 2000 and joined CFM in April 2004.

Penny has achieved both the Financial Planning Certificate and the Diploma in Financial Planning and is studying towards Chartered status. She works as a Paraplanner.

Penny is originally from Yorkshire. She enjoys keeping fit by swimming, walking and cycling and is an active member of her local swimming team. She also enjoys contemporary music, eating out, socialising and spending time with her baby daughter.

Our Advisers

ANNIE WRIGHT

Annie has been in the Financial Services industry since 1988 and joined Castlegate in April 2004 after moving to the area.

Annie offers an holistic approach to financial planning for the Sleaford, Spalding and Oakham clients of Duncan & Toplis. She is fully qualified to advise in all areas offered by Castlegate and holds the Diploma in Financial Planning, Annie is currently undertaking further study to obtain the Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning and is eventually hoping to obtain Chartered Financial Planner status.

Annie lives locally with her teenage son. She enjoys listening to rock music, totally addicted to Ceroc dancing (jive) and loves being a mum. She would like to enjoy more hobbies but does not have the time!!

NICK LAWSON

Nick was born and bred in Grantham and has been connected with our sister organisation Duncan & Toplis since leaving the Kings School. Nick has been with the Company since it started in 1994 and is responsible for advising clients of the Newark and Melton offices'. He has an extensive portfolio of clients specialising in the Investment, Estate Planning and Fund Management of the business. Nick holds the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate.

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.

SAM GIBSON

Sam has been with the firm since 2000, having previously trained as an accountant within Duncan and Toplis. He was born and bred in Lincolnshire and has a strong knowledge of the local business environment, particularly the farming sector.

Sam has achieved both the Certificate and the Diploma in Financial Planning and is now progressing towards Chartered status. He also sits upon the Duncan and Toplis tax committee. Sam's wife, Katy, is employed by Duncan and Toplis which means that he is closely monitored both at work and at home. On the rare occasions that Sam is able to go 'off radar' he will often be found either shooting or fishing.

RUSSELL KITCHEN

Russell joined Castlegate in June 2004, bringing with him the experience of 23 years in the financial services industry, of which 18 of those years were as an Independent Financial Advisor dealing in all aspects of personal and corporate investment and protection, along with pensions and tax planning. He was granted one of the very first Royal Charters for Financial Planners awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

As well as holding the 'Chartered Financial Planner' designation, Russell is also an Associate of both the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) and the Personal Finance Society (APFS), not to mention (some years ago of course) a Graduate of Trent Business School in Nottingham. Returning in 2001 from a long career in the London area, Russell resettled in his native Lincolnshire with partner, Karen, and two teenage children. He says, 'It's good to be back!' In his spare time, if there is any, he is a keen gardener, a keen but untalented golfer, and enjoys continental travel.

MORTON WEIR

Morton was born in Glasgow and has been involved in the financial services arena for over 18 years. He has spent 10 years working in London before relocating to Lincolnshire shortly after getting married.

He has a wide experience of dealing with both corporate and personal clients and can offer a holistic financial planning approach. He is responsible for advising clients in the Lincoln, Skegness & Louth offices.

Morton is currently progressing towards the Diploma in Financial Planning.

In his spare time, he enjoys golf and motorcycling.

Our Pensions Administrators

RITA HILL

Rita joined CFM in February 2001, initially as a Group Pensions Administrator. She has over nineteen years experience in the Financial Services Industry and is Certificate in Financial Planning level 2 qualified, has gained the Pensions Simplification CF9 examination and has obtained the Certificate in Financial Administration. Rita has diversified her skills within CFM and has expanded her expertise within SSAS and SIPP administration. She continues to support the business in this area.

Walking, playing tennis and being an avid football supporter are some of the interests that Rita has.

JENNY GOODGE

Jenny joined CFM in August 2003, having worked previously in a local accountancy practice and in industry as an assistant accountant. She has AAT membership and The CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accountancy. She initially worked in the SIPP and SSAS department but has now expanded her expertise by taking the role of Group Pensions Administrator.

She lives locally and enjoys looking after her home, garden and three cats. Her interests include health and fitness and she is also a member of her local Pub Quiz Team. Recently Jenny was the Quizmaster for the CFM and Duncan & Toplis inter office quiz. Jenny is an avid patchwork quilt maker. She is a member of the Quilters Guild and two local Patchwork and Quilting groups and has had her work published in a national quilting magazine. Her quilt making skills have come into much use over recent years as she has made quilts for her work colleagues who have had babies.

Louise Naylor

Louise joined CFM in April 2006 and is based in our Pensions Department.

Since completing her degree in Business and Accounting in 2001 she has worked in the pensions field and is currently studying for the CF1 exam.

Louise enjoys reading, cycling and following a recent move to Lincoln with her partner is currently renovating her house and garden.

Heather Wiltshire

Heather joined CFM in September 2005 working as PA before moving to the Pensions Department and now undertakes the administration of SSAS/SIPP pensions.

Since 2005 Heather has completed both the Certificate in Financial Administration (Life) and Certificate in Financial Administration (Pensions) and is close to completing the CII Certificate in Life & Pensions, following this she will commence studying with the Pensions Management Institute.

Heather lives locally and is married with two sons; one serving with the Royal Artillery in Germany and the other in Year 10 at The Kings School and enjoys baking cakes for her CFM colleagues and growing veggies at home.