About

Michael began his financial services career in 1990 at Lincoln Financial Group (previous known as Laurentian Life), establishing himself as one of the company's leading business writers. In 1997 he formed First Financial Consultants.

Michael holds a Financial Planning Certificate, Mortgage Advice Qualification (MAQ) and is also qualified to advise on Equity Release products. Michael takes a holistic view of financial planning, specialising in providing his clients with mortgage, insurance, investment and pension advice.

Having graduated from the University of Leeds, Robert joined Chase de Vere in 2002 working in the company’s Client Service department based at their head office in Bath. He quickly gained his Financial Planning Certificate and became one of their leading phone-based advisers.

After 12 months, he transferred to the London office where he worked as a Paraplanner (to Anthony Villis). Whilst in this role, he passed the G10 & SV1 exams and was instrumental in growing the net-worth of Anthony’s extensive client base.

In September 2004 he joined First Financial and has been highly successful in developing the company’s assets under management tenfold, from £4m to £45m. Robert specialises in investments, pensions and tax planning solutions.

Simon started his career in financial services as a mortgage broker in 2005, joining the team at First Financial in April 2006. He specialises in new-build mortgages and has an exceptional knowledge of commercial funding lines. Simon has been a key player in arranging finance for residential and commercial developments as well as business acquisitions.

Importantly, Simon has extensive experience in dealing with offshore and non-domicile clients purchasing property in the UK and around the world. This has seen significant growth in recent years and it requires specific knowledge and application.

In 2009, Simon was made a Director of First Financial Intermediaries.

Katie started her career in financial services after obtaining a BA Hons degree in Financial Services in 2003. Since leaving University she worked as a Paraplanner for two firms of Independent Financial Adviser’s.

Katie joined First Financial in October 2010 as a Mortgage and Life Executive. She provides support to Michael Caplan and Simon Ryder by providing a first class service to their clients in processing their applications and dealing with any queries that arise throughout the client relationship.

Katie is qualified to Financial Planning Certificate level and also holds her Mortgage Advice Qualification (MAQ).

Cheryl started her career in financial services in 1988, having worked as a Sales Administration Manager for Scottish Life and a Mortgage Executive for two Independent Financial Adviser firms based in the City. Cheryl joined the team at First Financial in February 2010 as a Senior Mortgage Executive. She has extensive knowledge and experience of the mortgage market, being able to place non-standard and complex mortgages and dealing with high net worth individuals from initial lead to completion of the mortgage.

Cheryl has MAQ and FP1 examinations and works closely with James Caplan to provide a first class service and expertise to his clients.

James started in financial services in 1996 and gained his Financial Planning Certificate whilst working for Lincoln Financial Group. He quickly established himself as a successful business writer and in early 1998 joined, his father, Michael, at First Financial.

James specialises in residential & commercial finance as well as life & critical illness insurance and has been responsible for building the company’s professional introducers, which includes leading local estate agents and national house builders. James is also qualified to provide advice on Equity Release products.

Anthony graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Bath and joined Chase de Vere in 1996, where he spent a total of nine years. Anthony benefited from a corporate buyout to the Bank of Ireland, providing enough funds to allow him to fulfil a lifetime ambition of travelling the world.

On his return to the UK, he joined Target Financial Management responsible for running their London operation, helping to develop assets in excess of £50m within two years.

Anthony is a Certified Financial Planner and holds the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate. He is a strong advocate of financial planning and specialises in complex circumstances, commonly associated with high level earners.

Zoë is qualified to Financial Planning Certificate level and has worked with Robert Caplan as Paraplanner for four years. Zoë gained vast experience working for eight years with two of the largest UK Life & Pensions providers, Aviva and Friends Provident.

Claire is a Chartered Financial Planner who has wide ranging experience gained from working at the Pensions Regulator, Legal and General and Mercer. In the last eight years Claire has worked within the independent financial services sector.

Claire is currently working towards becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and is a technical expert in retirement planning and is strong believer in the merits of high quality financial planning.

Having recently graduated from Kingston University, Tony joined First Wealth in the summer of 2010 as part of an internship initiative. Upon completing the internship he was offered a full time contract, beginning his career in financial services by joining the company as an Administrator.

He is currently taking his first steps towards a diploma in Financial Planning.