Directors

Chris Knight Non-executive Chairman Chris Knight (65) has been a non-executive director of Brooks Macdonald Group since 2002; he was appointed Chairman in 2005. A chartered accountant, Chris was an investment banker for nearly 30 years, for much of that time with Morgan Grenfell and, following its takeover, with Deutsche Bank. He has extensive corporate finance experience gained during his banking career in London, New York and Hong Kong. He is a non-executive director of Intertek Group plc and of Powerflute Oyj.
Chris Macdonald Chief Executive As Chief Executive Officer Chris (50) provides strategy and direction for the Brooks Macdonald Group. He is a qualified fund manager and was a founding director of the company in 1991, driven by the desire to fill a void whereby fund management and financial services worked together in the clients' best interests. He has worked in investment management and financial services since the start of his career in 1982 and has won several investment management awards. Chris is also the non-executive director of the Invesco AiM VCT and an associate of the Institute of Continuing Professional Development. As well as having board responsibility for the day-to-day management of the company Chris is also responsible for compliance.
Jonathan Gumpel Director Jonathan (45) was a founder director of the company in 1991, having worked in the industry since 1986. During his career, he has won a number of investment management awards and sits on both the Asset Management and Group boards. Jonathan is one of the investment directors responsible for overseeing investment management strategy and asset allocation for Brooks Macdonald Asset Management Ltd.
Colin Harris Non-executive Director Colin (56) became a non-executive director of the Group in 2010. Now retired from full time employment Colin's career culminated in a number of senior management roles at Newton Investment Management which included Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman. He is a qualified solicitor and before joining Newton's was the senior legal counsel at international insurance brokers Alexander & Alexander Inc (now part of Aon). Colin also has a non-executive director role at Longbow Capital LLP.
Nick Holmes Director Nick (41) is joint managing director of Brooks Macdonald Asset Management (BMAM) and is responsible for the day-to-day management. He is a member of the Group board and chairs the Asset Management board. Nick was the first trainee fund manager in the company when he joined in 1996 and has a total of 13 years investment management experience.
Simon Jackson Finance Director Simon (52) is responsible for the Group's management accounts. In addition to the finance function, Simon has Board responsibility for the back office functions of the Group with the managers of IT, Human Resources and Personal Development and Training reporting to him. He is a Chartered Accountant and joined the Group in 2000 having worked for a number of both public and private companies at director level.
Nicholas Lawes Director Nicholas (49) joined Brooks Macdonald Financial Consulting in 2003 and was appointed Managing Director in 2004. He has 20 years experience developing wealth management strategies for high net worth individuals and families. He advises on a broad range of financial matters, including sophisticated tax planning, pensions and retirement and inheritance tax mitigation. His longstanding relationships with members of the legal, accountancy and banking professions enable him to work closely with other advisers in the management of their mutual clients' financial affairs. Nicholas has responsibility for the financial consulting business on the group board, he is a non-executive director of William Reed Holdings Ltd.
Diane Seymour-Williams Non-executive Director Diane (53) joined the board of Brooks Macdonald Group plc in 2011. She has spent her entire career in the fund management industry, both managing portfolios and businesses. Diane spent 23 years at Morgan Grenfell/Deutsche Asset Management in a variety of roles, including Head of the Asian Equities team, CEO & CIO Asia, and Head of the Global Equity Product. Her past Directorships include The China Fund (1993-2005), Pakistan Fund (1993-6), Batavia Fund (1993-6) and was Chairman of the Greater Korea Trust (1993-7). Diane is currently an executive director of Lloyd George Management and is also a non-executive director of Calculus Capital Limited and Witan Pacific Investment Trust PLC.
Andrew Shepherd Director Andrew (38) joined Brooks Macdonald Asset Management (BMAM) in 2002 as an investment manager. Since then he has been promoted to the role of investment director and then to joint managing director. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of BMAM and sits on both this board and that of the Brooks Macdonald Group.
Richard Spencer Director Richard (48) is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Brooks Macdonald Asset Management where he is responsible for overseeing the investment management strategy and asset allocation. He is also a founder director of the company and a member of the Group Board. Richard joined the company in 1991 as a founder director, having worked in the industry since 1985.
Simon Wombwell Director Simon (50) has spent his entire career in the financial services industry, primarily involved in the development, sales and marketing of investment products and has been a non-executive director of the Brooks Macdonald Group since 2002. He was appointed as an executive director in a full time capacity in 2011. Simon joined Newton Fund Managers in 1994 where he performed a number of roles before being appointed Managing Director of Newton Fund Managers in 1998. Following the acquisition of Newton by Mellon Bank he was also appointed head of UK Distribution for Mellon Global Investments. He left Newton Fund Managers and Mellon Global Investments in 2004.