Michelle Simmonds
Director & Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Initially trained as a Detail Draughtsperson, which she practiced for many years including coming up with and drawing nationally recognised logos for national firms, Michelle is our much valued but often understated Chief Operations Officer. Her many roles within her title includes Compliance Oversight, where she liaises with the FCA and our outsourced Compliance team in relation to all matters “Compliance”.
Michelle’s excellent attention to detail in her role ensures that as the business evolves and grows, all budgets are kept to, all revenues match precisely expectations, and all invoices are settled in a timely manner. Michelle deals with the annual PII insurance quotes and payments, she thoroughly checks all Corporation tax bills and settles them on time, and she oversees the accuracy and timely payment of the FCA’s annual fees which includes the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Levy, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) levy.
Michelle organises the company’s staff annual appraisals, salary negotiations, and pension contributions, and oversees the company’s staff private medical insurance scheme, and she also organises our client summer garden parties.
On top of everything else, Michelle keeps everybody in order, from the Directors, advisers and staff to the third party services providers, associated firms, introducers and liaising on compliance matters with our outsourced compliance and organising our bi-annual compliance visits and external file checks.
Michelle in essence ensures the smooth running of the business and commands everybody’s respect!
In her spare time, Michelle enjoys horse riding, skiing, tennis and keeping fit with regular pilates and aerobics. She is also a very talented artist, which is clearly where Imogen and Tristan get their artistic talent from.