01392 411159 advice@aquilafm.co.uk

Our Team

Our professional financial advisers offer advice across the wide spectrum of financial services. All our advisers have achieved at least the core Level 4 Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning or equivalent, giving them DipPFS (Personal Finance Society) or DipFA status.

Paul Whitmarsh DipPFS

Paul Whitmarsh DipPFS

Managing Director

Paul joined Aquila Financial Management in 2016, having relocated with his family to Devon from the Midlands.

Paul began in his career in Financial Services with Scottish Widows in Leicester in 1985.   He transferred to the Birmingham office in 1993 and then joined a firm of Financial Advisers in Worcestershire in 1996, where he remained until he and his family decided to move to Exeter.

Paul holds the CII Diploma in Financial Planning and, as Managing Director of the firm, he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business and provides the compliance oversight.

Outside of work, Paul spends time with his family exploring the Devonshire countryside and shores.   He has also become a keen runner since he moved to the area and has a number of half-marathons under his belt, although he has yet to show any inclination to try the longer distance!

Chris May APFS

Chris May APFS

Chartered Financial Planner

Born in Exeter, Chris has been in Financial Services since 1983 and has amassed extensive experience and knowledge over this period whilst working for major industry names such as Friends Provident and AXA. The profession, the legislation and the economic climate have all changed over this period and Chris believes that clients need continuing long term adaptable advice as a consequence. Chris has demonstrated his professionalism throughout his career and has achieved Chartered Financial Planner status which demonstrates achievement beyond benchmark exam standards and the highest standards of professionalism.

Chris joined Aquila in 2011 and now looks after clients with particular needs focusing on pension planning, investment strategies, tax planning, protection needs and Inheritance tax. Chris works closely with accountants and solicitors and is a Designated Pension Transfer Specialist.

Outside of work Chris is married with 3 grown up children, in his spare time he enjoys walking, gardening, running and watching Rugby.

James McSorley-Morgan DipPFS Cert CII

James McSorley-Morgan DipPFS Cert CII

Senior Financial Planner

James has been with Aquila since 2018 and has over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry.  Prior to joining Aquila, James spent 7 years working for one of the country’s largest Financial Advice firms, Skipton Financial Services, and, before that, nearly 10 years with Lloyds Bank’s wealth planning division.  Both positions were based in Exeter and the surrounding area.

James lives on the outskirts of Exeter with his wife and three daughters.  He is a keen sportsman and, although his competitive days are behind him, still plays social rugby for a local side and cricket for his village team. He is also a kayak instructor and leader with the Exeter Sea Scouts.

James Wilcock Dip PFS

James Wilcock Dip PFS

Financial Planner

James has over 11 years of experience in the financial sector and has spent the last 5 years with Aquila, the last 2 years as a Financial Planner.  He has settled into his new role extremely well and has built excellent relationships with the clients he now looks after.

Having grown up in Cornwall, James began his career in London working for one of the largest financial derivatives brokers in the world, before then moving to the banking sector.  With a return to the South West always on the cards, James joined Aquila in September 2018.

He currently holds the Diploma in Financial Planning and is working to achieve his Chartered Status in the not too distant future.

Outside of work, James is a keen CrossFitter, enjoys a morning run, and spends his weekends exploring Devon’s coastline in his newly purchased campervan!

Qualifications

Higher qualifications have also been achieved by individuals, culminating in their use of the following designations:

  • ACIB – Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers
  • APFS – Associate of the Personal Finance Society
  • Cert.PFS – Member by Certificate
  • DipFA – Diploma for Financial Advisers
  • Dip.PFS – Member by Diploma
  • FPFS – Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

We are committed to continuous professional development, under a structured regime monitored by the Financial Conduct Authority, and tailor-made to our specific requirements.