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Meet the team

Directors and Investment Team

Phil Simmonds
LL.B(Hons), MBA, FPFS, Chartered MCSI

Chief Executive – Private Office Asset Management

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.

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 works directly for Graham Crawford our Investment Director. 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!

Compliance and Paraplanning

Louise Weir

Client Liaison/Account set up and transitions

A client of Private Office Asset Management since 2006, Louise possesses a keen interest in investment and financial matters. Louise is a successful businesswoman in her own right and last year sold her business “Love Reading”, which she co-founded. Prior to that Louise was Marketing Director for a leading publishing firm for 7 years, where she led a team of 7 staff. Louise is currently studying for the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Diploma (Level 4) in Regulated Financial Planning - on her way to becoming a qualified paraplanner to assist our IFA’s and Investment team in putting together client reports.

Administration

Michelle Simmonds

PA to Phil Simmonds/Head of Administration

Michelle is an Associate Member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS) and is currently studying her exams en-route to becoming a para-planner. Michelle enjoys riding her horses, keeping fit and ballet.

Dunstan Harris, BA(Hons)

Head Of Social Media

Dunstan graduated from Bournemouth University with a Sports Management degree, and joined the Private Office Group of companies 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 both Private Office Asset Management and Simmonds Austin Ryder Solicitors, - 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.