Meet The Team

Mel is a certified and chartered financial planner and has worked in the field of compliance since 1995. Mel is Director and founder of CATS. Mel formed CATS in 2005 after realising that Financial Advisers firms had a need for a Compliance Support company that rolled up their sleeves and got involved to take away the stress of managing a business whilst ensuring they were complying with the regulator.

Whilst Mel is one of those strange people who enjoys compliance, in her spare time she enjoys running, general keep fit and the occasional glass of wine and spending time with her family, especially her two Granddaughters.

Martyn has many years of experience within the Finance industry originally as a Financial Adviser with the Woolwich and Friends Provident. Martyn then moved on to forge a career in sales and Marketing before joining Mel as a Director at CATS.

Martyn’s key roles are in operations and business development.

Martyn loves spending time with his family, especially his Granddaughter’s, he also is a keen Martial artist and enjoys running to keep fit as well as Sunday rides out on his motorbike.

Following a career within an estate agency Charlotte joined CATS in 2016 and has put her diploma in Business and Finance to good use. Charlotte’s key roles are in the operations of the business and to support the team and our clients to ensure all runs smoothly.

Outside of work Charlotte enjoys spending time with her two young daughters and family.

James started his career in Financial Services over 20 years ago. During this time James has gained a wealth of experience of Compliance, Paraplanning and advising clients.

James became a Director in 2022 to help Mel and Martyn in developing the business and the team. James is a member of the CII and is a Chartered Financial Planner.

Gemma has worked in the Financial Services profession for over 20 years. She began her career at NatWest Bank as customer service advisor until being promoted to Branch Manager with a team of over 20 at the age of 24. Gemma has been with CATS since 2013 and is now one of our Managers assisting Mel and Martyn in the development of the business and the team.

Gemma has attained the Diploma qualification and is working towards Chartered.

Most of Gemma’s spare time is taken up with her two young daughters enjoying the delights of the South West.

Sarah has been in Financial Services for over 20 years and began her career with Aviva, progressing through the company in sales and team management roles. Sarah has also worked as a financial adviser within a Building Society and prior to joining CATS in 2016, she was a Complaint’s Account Manager working for HSBC, where she gained extensive compliance knowledge. Sarah has attained the Diploma qualification and is working towards attaining Chartered status.

Outside of work Sarah enjoys keeping active by running, cycling, weight training and doing yoga. Sarah lives on the Norfolk Broads and also enjoys being on the river paddle boarding, kayaking or swimming.

Carole joined CATS in 2018 and has over 40 years’ experience working in the IFA sector, where she has gained a wealth of experience including administration, paraplanning, advising clients, operations and business management and holding the compliance officer function for 10 years.

Carole is diploma qualified and joined CATS in 2018. With over 40 years’ experience working in the IFA sector, she has gained a wealth of experience including administration, paraplanning, advising clients, operations and business management and holding the compliance officer function for 10 years.

Phil joined CATS in January 2017 having previously worked in advice roles for 15 years.

Phil loves Making a Difference for his firm clients and embraces the CATS positive approach to compliance.

He is qualified to Level 4 Diploma, holds mortgage and Long Term Care qualifications and hopes to achieve Chartered status before retirement!

In his spare time, Phil collects and plays a range of musical instruments having previously been a semi-professional musician. He is a member of MENSA and the Wine Society and follows Crystal Palace FC.

Fraser is 30 years+ veteran of the life, mortgage and pensions industry, with extensive experience of management, independent advisory and compliance consultancy roles. He joined CATS in 2017 and is ACII, Dip PFS qualified, with G60 & CF9 and is a Chartered Insurance Practitioner, specialising in

pensions matters. Fraser is very comfortable working with individual advisers or at firm level with directors, taking a keen interest in getting to know them and their business, in order to provide the best tailored outcomes.

Simon joined CATS in April 2018. He has had a varied career in financial services spanning 40 years working for high street banks, building societies and wealth management firms. Simon is Diploma qualified and has worked in the risk and compliance field for the last 20 years.

Prior to that, Simon was a Financial Adviser for seven years. When not working, Simon loves to spend time playing golf, walking his two dogs and following his favourite football team, Liverpool.

Over 18 years’ experience within Financial services starting back in 2005 as a trader before becoming an investment adviser and later taking the role of paraplanner with a number of firms. In 2013 Kim moved into the field of Compliance gaining a wealth of experience in Investment, Pension and mortgage business.

When not working Kim enjoys painting, tango dancing, trying to outsmart the weeds in her allotment and the odd glass of wine. Kim has attained the Diploma qualification.

Andy joined CATS in November 2019, having commenced his financial services career at Friends Provident in November 2000. Since then, Andy has held various compliance and technical roles in a range of organisations, from single IFA practices to bancassurance, including as T&C Supervisor responsible for a nationwide team of 10 financial advisers.

Away from work, Andy is a keen sportsman and artist and enjoys spending time in the Devon countryside with his family and dog.

As well as being Diploma qualified Andy also holds Certificates in Pension Transfer Advice, Mortgage Advice and Equity Release.

Stuart joined CATS in June 2020. Stuart joined the world of Financial Services in 2001 when he started working at Lloyds TSB. Since 2001 Stuart has worked a Team Leader, Sales Support and in 2012 he became a Paraplanner working for an IFA firm close to where lives, after two years of this he became the Compliance Officer where he remained until the firm was acquired. Stuart has experience with T&C, MiFID, Client Money and Assets and the full plethora of Compliance.

Stuart is Diploma qualified.

Outside of work Stuart enjoys gardening, walking and planning his next holiday to Cornwall.

Ian joined CATS in 2021. He started in financial services in 2000, working for Aviva for 10 years in various roles. From 2010, he worked for both small and large IFA firms as Compliance Manager and T&C Supervisor.

Ian has achieved the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is Mortgage Advice qualified, as well as holding the certificates for Equity Release and Long-Term Care. In his spare time, he enjoys watching football and Formula 1, as well as eating out at local restaurants with family and friends.

Lloyd joined CATS in April 2022. He has been working in Financial Services since 1997 doing various roles both employed and as a self employed consultant. Originally working in compliance at Prudential, Lloyd has worked with IFAs, insurance companies and banks supporting them with compliance and business reviews mainly in pensions and investments.

Lloyd is Diploma qualified.

Lloyd enjoys going for long walks in his spare time. His favourite football teams are Glasgow Rangers and Reading and he occasionally goes to watch Reading play

Jo has for over 25 years Financial Services experience. She has a wealth of experience both in front of the client and behind the scenes. Jo’s career includes Business Assurance, T&C, Sales & Marketing, Product design and delivery, and Process improvement, both for Financial Adviser firms and Product Providers.

When not working Jo loves to spend time with her young family as well as getting out in the fresh air for a run and then putting her feet up with a glass of wine.

Jo is a Chartered Financial Planner.

In 2023, Gosia joined us as our first trainee compliance consultant. Working together with CATS and Skills Edge on a Compliance Apprenticeship, Gosia will study to achieve her diploma status while benefiting from on-the-job training with the CATS team. We are delighted to have her with us.

Gosia enjoys walks with Mia, her Labrador puppy, and general fitness & self-defense. When Gosia is not out walking or studying for exams, she enjoys going out with family and friends.