About us
As financial advisers, our mission is to help you organise, plan and secure your financial future and to free up your time so you can get on with your life.
Piercefield Asset Management was set up in 1998 following a management buy-out. We wanted to offer truly independent financial advice – we didn’t feel we could do that if we were paid commission every time we recommended a product. We also wanted to get beyond simply suggesting products to satisfy clients’ immediate needs. Instead we wanted to make sure our clients were set for the future, whatever life threw at them.
In 2003, nine years before it became a regulatory requirement, we became completely fee based and have offered holistic independent financial services ever since. Stephen Willis, our principal adviser, joined the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP) and attained higher levels of qualification than those required of ordinary financial advisers. By adhering to the IFP Code of Ethics, this puts us on the same professional footing as your solicitor or accountant.
How will we work with you? We will agree a fee with you based on the advice you need and your review requirements. Our fees can be fixed, an hourly rate or a combination of the two.
Stephen Willis, Managing Director & Principal Planner
Stephen, has been in the financial services sector since 1990, having worked for large corporates before setting up Piercefield Asset Management. He is a Chartered Associate of IFS School of Finance. He qualified as a Certified Financial Planner in 2003, and is currently one of only 947 in the UK. On a personal note, when not running ‘Dad’s Taxi Service’ at the weekend for his three daughters, Stephen enjoys sailing and golf (the word ‘enjoy’ can be loosely applied here).
Chris Dunkerley, Financial Planner
Chris has worked extensively as an investment and private banker in the financial services sector since graduating in 1973. He ran his own fee-based financial planning practice for 10 years until 2011, when he rolled his business into Piercefield Asset Management. He qualified as a Certified Financial Planner in 2000 and as a Chartered Financial Planner in 2011. He is a business investor and enjoys golf and ocean racing.
Sue Wilson, Technical Paraplanner
Sue joined Piercefield Asset Management in 2011 as a Technical Paraplanner. She has worked in financial services since 1994 and has attained the Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in 2009. She works with Stephen and Chris to provide technical support to clients’ planning arrangements. Away from work Sue likes to spend as much time as possible staying by the coast in her VW campervan. When it is too cold for ice-cream, she consoles herself with chocolate cake.
Louise Aldridge, Senior Administrator
Louise joined the firm in 2005 as a financial administrator. She attained the Certificate in Financial Planning in 2008 and the Diploma in Financial Advice in 2010. She is generally the first point of contact for all clients. Out of the office she enjoys reading, interior design and Latin/ballroom dancing.
Accredited Financial Planning Firm
In October 2011, independent financial advisers Piercefield Asset Management were awarded Accredited Financial Planning Firm status by the Institute of Financial Planning (IFP). Piercefield satisfied all requirements for accreditation by meeting the IFP’s rigorous ethics, experience, competence and professional practice standards to deliver effective Financial Planning services to the members of the public.
Investors In People
In 2010 Piercefield Asset Management were awarded the Investors In People standard. This standard helps organisations transform their business performance and ensures continuous business improvement. Piercefield believe that getting the business strategy right, enhancing employee engagement and improving management effectiveness reflect directly on the quality of service their clients receive.
Financial authorities
Piercefield Asset Management are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Institute of Financial Planning
The IFP is the exclusive licensing authority for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner), which is an internationally recognised certification awarded to individuals who fulfil its stringent requirements and who have been appropriately tested. Stephen has been a dedicated member since 2003.
Our Fee Structure
We will agree a fee with you based on your advice and review needs. Our fees can be for a fixed fee or an hourly rate or a combination of the two.