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Meet the team

Directors and Investment Team

Phil Simmonds
LL.B(Hons), MBA, FPFS, CHARTERED MCSI
SOLICITOR-ADVOCATE (NON PRACTISING)

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Phil founded Private Office Asset Management in 2006 and is also the founder and significant shareholder of Simmonds Private Office (Hong Kong) - trading in Hong Kong since 1996.

Phil is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and is a qualified CISI Chartered Wealth Manager. He is also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society as is a qualified Chartered Financial Planner. Phil has worked both on the corporate side & private client side of the investment industry, specialising in bespoke strategies.

Phil spent 3 years working as an investment consultant at Close Brothers Group, – the UK merchant bank, – 2 years as a Director at Brewin Dolphin Securities, and for 6 years was Head of UK Intermediary Business Development and the Charities Division at the global financial services group Collins Stewart Hawkpoint Plc, which was taken over by Canaccord Financial Inc.

Phil worked for 2 years as a consultant for R&H Fund Services (Jersey) Limited, and has appeared regularly on television as the expert on BBC’s It’s Your Money and Sky Digital’s Simply Money program.

Email: phil.simmonds@private-office.co.uk

DAVID CORE

INVESTMENT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

David’s working relationship with Phil Simmonds dates all the way back to January 1985, when David joined Phil’s team of financial advisers at a national firm of independent financial & wealth managers in Phil’s Bournemouth office.

After 10 years working with Phil, David was recruited into the senior role of Regional Director at Inter-Alliance where he worked for 10 years from 1995 to 2005, both advising HNW clients, and running a large team of advisers and paraplanners to provide advice for introduced business from affiliated accountant firms and Law practices.

From 20015 to 2012, David set up and successfully ran his own wealth management firm “Core Financial Connections” where he continued his established relationships with lawyers and accountants.

In 2012 David joined PWS Group and worked out of Dubai, before moving back to the UK with the firm where he continued to provide investment and financial planning advice to his clients. From PWS Group, David joined Blacktower Financial Management in 2019 where he specialised in providing investment portfolio management services, corporate business services, and financial advice for overseas clients.

Having worked together on and off for 35 years, both Phil and David are delighted to be working closely together again at Private Office Asset Management, - where David will be a significant contributor to our investment committee, and he will also be responsible for heading up the business development effort of the firm with accountants, lawyers and trustees.

David will be based in our new satellite office in Bournemouth as we seek to grow the business in Bournemouth, Poole, Sandbanks, Lymington, New Milton, Christchurch and the surrounding areas

Email: david.core@private-office.co.uk

Sebastian Simmonds
BSc.(Hons)

Assistant Investment Manager & Analyst

Sebastian graduated from Kingston University with BSc.(Hons) in Business management with Business Experience, - achieving a 2.1. Having joined the firm part time in 2015, Sebastian took up his position of Assistant Investment Manager in March 2019, where he reports directly to Peter Cousins, our Chief Investment Officer. Sebastian is currently studying for the Chartered Institute for Investment & Securities Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma (Securities).

Sebastian enjoys classic cars, and regular drives his 1964 Triumph TR4 to classic car shows. He also enjoys rock music, - and in particular his annual trek to Donnington Park for the Download Rock Festival. But most of all he loves investments and research!

Email: sebastian.simmonds@private-office.co.uk

JAMIE SCARAMANGA

TRAINEE INVESTMENT ASSISTANT AND RESEARCH ANALYST

Jamie joined the firm straight from education where he majored in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, and following a very successful work experience trial with us.

Jamie is an affiliate of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (CISI) and is studying towards gaining his Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma (Securities).

Jamie reports directly to Phil Simmonds in the investment team, and also to Peter Cousins and alongside Sebastian to make up our specialist investment team of 4. Jamie’s progress to date has been quite remarkable and he is already establishing himself as a key member of the team.

Jamie is a fitness fanatic and is extremely competitive in all walks of life. He successfully achieved the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award at a young age and is a qualified gymnastics coach. In his spare time, Jamie teaches and coaches gymnastics to students ranging from 4 years old to 30 years old. (too late for most of us here sadly!). He is good at most sports and particularly enjoys the extreme sport of “parkour” which is freestyle street gymnastics involving perpendicular walls and high buildings.

Email: jamie.scaramanaga@private-office.co.uk

Paraplanning & Platform | Client Liaison

SHANNON READ

ASSISTANT PARAPLANNER
HEAD OF PLATFORM BUSINESS & CLIENT LIAISON

Shannon is an Assistant Paraplanner to the advisers and is also Head of Platform Business & Client Liaison.

Prior to joining Private Office Asset Management, Shannon had previously worked for 6 years within the financial services industry. She started at Barclays Bank, and then moved on to Benchmark Capital where she worked in their private client services department, and latterly she enjoyed 2 years at Fusion Wealth.

A Student Member of the Personal Finance Society, Shannon is currently studying her Core exams to qualify as a Paraplanner.

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys listening to rock music and spending time with her family and friends, whilst also being busy planning her wedding for next Spring.

Email: shannon.read@private-office.co.uk

Compliance & Administration

Michelle Simmonds

PRACTICE MANAGER | HEAD OF ADMINISTRATION

Michelle is Practice Manager & Head of Administration for the business. Her role is to keep 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 compliance team in Huddersfield, and organising our quarterly 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, keeping fit and aerobics. She is also a talented artist.

Email: michelle.simmonds@private-office.co.uk

Social Media & Business Development

Dunstan Harris, BA(Hons)

Head Of Social Media

Dunstan graduated from Bournemouth University with a Sports Management degree, and joined the Private Office Asset Management in July 2020, - as Relationship Manager for our Intermediary Partners & Corporate Services.

As a post-graduate and prior to joining us, Dunstan gained valuable experience in marketing and Events Management, which included successful spells developing luxury packaging ranges for clients in high end cosmetics companies, entertainment and hospitality. Dunstan has also been a key figure within a very successful marketing team that have created and developed strategies for global campaigns for brands including Nissan, Redbull and MTV.

Dunstan is naturally well organised with exceptional attention to detail, and as we continue on our own growth strategy he will be continuing our efforts to forge new relationships with professional services firms for Private Office Asset Management, - as well as assisting in the smooth running of our existing relationships. Dunstan is also responsible for our Social Media platforms.

Away from work, Dunstan is a keen and very able sportsman, - and is a keen Chelsea FC Supporter. Dunstan is also an accomplished photographer, and enjoys spending time with his young family.