Meet Our Team
At MPA Financial Management, our team combines experienced financial advisers with a dedicated group of qualified support staff, all committed to providing a first-class service. Whether you’re looking for a quick chat or a full financial review, we’re just a phone call or click away.
We believe that knowledge and expertise are essential to delivering the highest standards of advice. That’s why we actively support the ongoing development of every team member, helping them achieve professional qualifications and continually build their skills.
By investing in our people, we ensure that everyone at MPA is equipped to “Inform, Educate, and Inspire” our clients – giving you complete confidence in our ability to help you achieve your financial goals.
Meet the MPA team below:
Directors

Phil McGovern FPFS
Chartered Financial Planner
Managing Director
Phil joined MPA in 1996 and was appointed Managing Director in 2010. Since then the Company has grown rapidly from a small firm managing £40M to the firm it is today with excess of £850M funds under management. Phil plays a key managerial role in the company in shaping the future, ensuring standards are maintained as well as advising clients. He has amassed a vast amount of experience in complex pension and investment issues and specialises in pension transfers, income drawdown and investment planning. He is a Fellow of the PFS. He has been married to Emma for over 25 years, has 2 children, 1 granddaughter, 1 grandson and enjoys cricket, golf and rugby.

Joe McGovern DipPFS
Head of Operations & Strategy
Joe has been with MPA Financial Management since 2017 and plays a key role as Head of Operations & Strategy. Responsible for overseeing the firm’s internal processes, systems, and long-term business planning, Joe ensures MPA continues to deliver an efficient, client-focused service while growing sustainably.
With a background in financial services operations and leadership, Joe works closely with the advice, paraplanning, compliance, and client services teams. His focus is on improving workflow efficiency, maintaining high service standards, and driving forward strategic initiatives that support both clients and colleagues.
Joe is passionate about creating a forward-thinking, supportive culture within MPA, ensuring the business remains adaptable and ready for future opportunities.
Outside of work, Joe enjoys time with his family, exploring new food experiences, and staying active.
To learn more about Joe, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.
Management Team

Jenny Nicholls DipPFS
Head of Paraplanning
Jenny joined MPA Financial Management in 2014 as part of the PFS Aspire Apprenticeship Scheme. Through hard work and determination, she achieved her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in July 2020 and officially became a qualified paraplanner shortly after.
In June 2021, Jenny joined the Paraplanning team and was promoted to Head of Paraplanning in 2022. In her role, she oversees the paraplanning function across MPA, ensuring the team delivers clear, compliant, and client-friendly financial reports. Jenny is known for her attention to detail, technical knowledge, and supportive leadership style.
Outside of work, Jenny lives in Warwick with her partner and young son, Louis. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, making the most of her new home and the local area.
To learn more about Jenny, read her latest story here.

Fiona Thom
Executive Assistant to the Directors
Fiona joined MPA Financial Management as Executive Assistant to the Directors, bringing over nine years’ experience supporting senior executives across finance, media, and luxury retail. Highly organised and approachable, Fiona is key to keeping MPA’s leadership team running smoothly – managing diaries, coordinating projects, and ensuring day-to-day operations stay on track.
Alongside her professional background in executive support, Fiona has a strong interest in health and wellbeing. She spent several years running two boutique fitness studios in London, working as a yoga and Pilates instructor, and collaborating with global brands such as Gymshark and Lululemon. This combination of business experience and personal passion brings a calm, solutions-focused energy to her role at MPA.
Outside of work, Fiona enjoys travelling, teaching yoga, and spending time with family and friends.
Advisers

Chris Pedel DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Chris joined MPA in December 2023 and has over 30 years’ experience working for product providers and since 2012 as a financial adviser in the Northampton area. He has a wide breadth of experience in the financial services industry specialising in Estate Planning, Pensions, and Lifetime Mortgages.
Chris is married with three children and captains a league cricket team introducing younger players into adult cricket. Chris is also a keen cyclist and golfer. To learn more about Chris, please visit his Adviser Insights story here.

Chris Wheeler FPFS
Chartered Financial Planner
Chris is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Financial Society. He advises on all aspects of financial planning and has in-depth knowledge of pensions and SIPPs. Chris has 12 years experience in Financial Services and is another divorce specialist. In his spare time, Chris tries to train/bribe his Beagle to behave and can usually be found retrieving dog toys around Henley.
To learn more about Chris, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.

Dave McGovern DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
David joined MPA in 2013 and has extensive experience in developing all-encompassing financial plans for companies and high net worth clients.
He specialises in tax and trust planning in the following areas
- Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning
- Pension planning under the new flexible pension rules for directors and individuals (whether you are a private or public sector worker).
- Investment for existing Trusts
- Companies Directors who are looking to secure the future for themselves, family and their employees.
To learn more about Dave, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.

Gerard McVeigh DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Gerard joined MPA in January 2025 after completing the M&G Wealth Academy, where he earned his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning before running his own Warwickshire-based Appointed Representative business.
Prior to this, Gerard previously founded and managed a recruitment technology business for nearly a decade where he worked with key regional and global leaders within the Commercial Real Estate industry. Gerard has become adept at advising clients on navigating volatility and managing their emotions—skills honed from years of supporting Aston Villa.

Jack Burton DipPFS
Trainee Independent Financial Adviser
Jack joined MPA in February 2025 after completing his Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in October 2024. He has been in the industry since 2023 gaining vital experience in similar roles and has joined MPA with the goal to become a fully qualified Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) over the next 12-18 months. He is also currently working towards Chartered Status.
When he is not at work, Jack is a keen sportsman, playing football and golf. He also enjoys spending time with his partner and family.

Jared Jones DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Jared joined MPA in 2021 and takes a holistic financial planning approach to all his clients. Prior to joining the financial services industry, Jared worked in medical device sales for various companies in the UK and Australia for over 25 years. He has a passion for racket sports and regularly plays both racketball and tennis. He is also a music lover and particularly enjoys taking his university aged children to see various gigs around the country. Sometimes they even let him stand close to them…!
To learn more about Jared, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.

Jenny Hall DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Jenny joined MPA in 2016 as a graduate trainee after studying Biomedical Science at Bangor University. She spends her free time attempting Pilates and horse-riding.
To learn more about Jenny, read her latest Adviser Insights story here.

John McCreadie DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
John Joined MPA in April 2018 and has over 30 years’ experience working for advisers and product providers, specialising in pensions and investments for both companies and individuals. He is married with 2 daughters and in the limited spare time that leaves him, he is interested in most sports and still pretends to play football regularly but in reality, spends most of the time admiring the game go on around him.
To learn more about John, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.

Maria Britton DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Maria joined MPA in July 2024 after 15 years in the Private and Corporate Banking sector, looking after the holistic financial needs of individuals and companies in an advisory and managerial capacity.
Maria is married with a young family, and when she is not out for a run in the forest with children and/or dogs, she bakes cakes for various school events and tries out new recipes on the MPA office team – much to their delight.

Neil Parker FPFS
Chartered Financial Planner
Neil is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Fellow of the Personal Financial Society and joined MPA in 2022. He has been in the Financial Services Industry for over 30 years working with some of the largest financial institutions and investment companies. Neil has an extensive knowledge of pensions, investments, Trusts and estate planning. Outside of work, Neil is keen on cycling and is a black belt in karate.
To learn more about Neil, read his latest story here.

Ross Bennett DipPFS
Independent Financial Adviser
Ross joined MPA in 2020 and has been a financial adviser since 1994. He has gained experience advising both companies and individuals and adopts a holistic approach to financial planning. He is married and when he is not in the garden he enjoys travelling and hill walking.
To learn more about Ross, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.

Robert Chapman DipFA MLIBF
Independent Financial Adviser
Rob has been in the industry for over 30 years, specialising in Mortgages and Wealth Management, and joined MPA in 2020. In his spare time, when he has any, you will find Rob on the golf course at every opportunity – he also enjoys walking his Golden Retriever, Bear and DIY. He is married to Maxine and has two daughters Victoria and Lauren.
To learn more about Rob, read his latest Adviser Insights story here.
Support Staff

Anna McGovern
Client Services Associate
Anna joined MPA in September 2024 as she starts her career in Financial Services, bringing with her over 9 years of customer service experience. In her spare time Anna enjoys being surrounded by family, going on holidays, going out for meals and spending quality time with her niece. Anna has also recently moved into her first home with her boyfriend, which is taking up most of her time outside of work.

Elaine Williams
Accounts
Elaine joined MPA in 2020 with over 28 years of experience in Accounts, within the Financial Services sector. Elaine enjoys gardening, walking and holidays in Italy.

Katerina Hazikyriakos-Fry
Client Services – Team Leader
Katerina joined MPA in 2018 after having worked for 5 years in financial services. She currently supports Neil Parker, Chris Wheeler and Joe McGovern. She is also a qualified BACPR Specialist Exercise Instructor (Level 4) in Cardiac Rehabilitation.
To learn more about Kat, read her latest story here.

Katie Cox
Client Services Associate
Katie joined MPA in September 2024 bringing with her a wealth of experience having worked within the Financial Services industry for over 9 years. In her spare time Katie likes spending time with friends and family, as well as taking her dog Rocky for walks.

Lauren Cassidy
Client Services Associate
Lauren joined MPA in May 2025, having worked in the Financial Services industry for over 10 years. She started her career in corporate benefits before moving into the world of personal wealth in early 2021. Outside of work, she has her hands full with a very dramatic tuxedo cat and takes any opportunity to spend time with her 3 nieces and 6 nephews before they grow up too much and find her wildly uncool. Lauren is also a huge Taylor Swift fan, having attended her Eras Tour three times in 2024.

Lily Chandler-Hussain
Client Services Associate
Lily joined MPA Financial Management in July 2025 as a Client Associate, bringing with her a solid grounding in business administration and a passion for client service. She holds a BA (Hons) in Business & Management from Leeds Beckett University and began her financial planning career as a Graduate Trainee at Berry & Oak in July 2021.
In her role at MPA, Lily supports our advisers and paraplanners, helping to coordinate client meetings, manage documentation, and ensure an outstanding experience for every client. She’s known for her attention to detail, warm manner, and eagerness to learn.
Beyond the office, Lily is a keen sports enthusiast – she played hockey at the county level-and has a love for adventure. Her top life highlights include completing all three levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, skydiving, and seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Lily also dreams of a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon and eventually owning her own home.

Liz Allan
Receptionist
Liz joined MPA in 2010 and has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She covers our reception as well as making sure that our office runs efficiently. Liz is a member of a local choir and is an avid reader.

Louise King
Client Services – Team Leader
Louise joined MPA in April 2021 with over 17 years experience in the Financial Services sector. She provides Administration support to John McCreadie and Maria Britton. Louise has two grown up sons and in her spare time she enjoys keeping fit and loves to travel.

Mike Stevenson
Paraplanner
Mike joined MPA in 2018 bringing a wealth of experience spanning 40 years, having worked in the Financial Services sector since 1978. In his spare time he enjoys listening to music, particularly at live events, and plays golf at his local club in the heart of Leicestershire, also taking the opportunity to play as many different courses as he can.

Samantha Davies
Compliance Officer
Sam joined MPA Financial Management in April 2018, bringing with her nearly 24 years of experience in the financial services sector. Since joining, she has taken the decision to move into Compliance full time and has now successfully completed her CII Compliance Apprenticeship ahead of schedule, alongside holding her Certificate in Financial Planning.
In her role as Compliance Officer, Sam plays a key part in ensuring MPA maintains the highest regulatory and ethical standards, supporting both advisers and clients alike.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys live music, travelling, spending time with her grandson, and has recently taken up playing the ukulele.

Timon White DipPFS
Paraplanner
Timon joined MPA in 2021 with a degree in Agricultural Management. He has recently obtained his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. When not trying to learn the ropes of financial services Timon enjoys watching sports especially rugby, where he puts himself through the torture of being a WASPs supporter. As well as being a spectator, he plays for his local team Shipston as a second row forward. Timon is not completely rugby mad as he also participates in the likes of squash, badminton and country sports.
To learn more about Timon, read his latest story here.

Viviana Martire DipPFS
Client Services Associate
Viviana joined MPA in November 2024. She is originally from Naples, where she earned her Economics degree before moving to England over 10 years ago with an aim to study English for 12 months before returning she Naples – she never left! She has previously worked as an Accountant for a manufacturing company and obtained her Diploma in Financial Services alongside her Accountancy position. Viviana has a daughter, who keeps her busy and in any spare time that she has, she enjoys being an “extra” in some of her husband’s TV dramas.