Asset Managers

Charlie Simkins - Asset Manager

Charlie joined Ashcourt Asset Management from Gerrard Limited (formally Greig Middleton) where he served on the Global Asset Allocation Committee. As a Director he was primarily responsible for managing investment portfolios and servicing the requirements of a broad spectrum of charity and pension fund clients. From 1986 to 1993 he was a Director of Henderson Pension Fund Management Ltd and Head of the North American investment desk.

Over his career Charlie has acquired specialist experience in all the major world investment markets. This, combined with his knowledge of clients needs in an increasingly complex regulatory and investment environment further enhances Ashcourt’s ability to deliver a high quality service. Charlie manages portfolios for charities, individuals, trusts and self invested personal pensions.

Martin Adkins - Asset Manager

Martin joined Ashcourt in November 2002 following the acquisition of DMH by Ashcourt Asset Management. Martin had been with DMH since 1994 where he has worked alongside Rod Gentry, providing investment advice to private clients and trustees and assisting with the management of portfolios. Martin was previously an investment adviser at Leeds Permanent Financial Planning and London Life. He holds the full FPC and G10 (Tax & Trusts)qualifications and is currently studying for the Investment Management Certificate.

Michael Scruby - Asset Manager

Michael joined Ashcourt in November 2002 following the acquisition of DMH by Ashcourt Asset Management. Previously, Michael had joined DMH as an investment adviser in 1996. Prior to joining DMH, Michael was a Senior Consultant at Johnson Fry where he advised high net worth private and corporate clients. Michael holds the full FPC and has had 29 years experience of the financial services industry, having worked for a number of other significant businesses including Julian Gibbs, Hammond House Investments and Hambro Life.

Amanda Patch - Asset Manager

Amanda started her career in 1987 when she joined Royal Life Insurance. Following a move to the Basingstoke office, initially as a PA to a broker consultant, Amanda then took up a position at the Southampton office, initially researching and advising on mortgage products, before developing the support team for Independent Financial Advisors. A promotion to broker consultant followed, where her responsibilities included development of relationships between the company, and both tied and Independent Financial Advisors.

In 1992 Amanda joined Midland Bank to work on the company’s development team for the Stock Exchange based TAURUS system. Following conclusion of the project in 1993, she moved to Wilsons Solicitors to jointly assist in the setting up of the Investment and Financial Services Department. Initially assisting the Head of Life and Pensions, Amanda moved across to investment management following the appointment of an Asset Manager in 1994, taking responsibility for running the Investment Administration Department. Amanda then became an Assistant Asset Manager, and following a company merger to form Ashcourt Asset Management, was appointed Asset Manager for the Salisbury office in September 2001.

Michael Johnstone - Asset Manager

Michael Johnstone started on the floor of the London Stock Exchange in 1976 with jobbers Ackroyd & Smithers before moving to work on Wall Street in 1978. His experience on the institutional trading desk with Smith Barney and E F Hutton covered the US markets and Foreign arbitrage including the use of derivatives. In 1984 he returned to the UK during ‘Big Bang’ joining Schroder Securities to set up their ADR desk. Headhunted to join Greenwells, part of Midland Bank to instigate their ADR and European market-making function he latterly joined BZW and SGST Securities in a similar capacity as assistant director. IN 1991 he left the City to set up his own stock-broking company in Sussex with offices in Hereford and Hertford, which benefited from the demutualisation of the Stock Exchange. He reversed his client base into Ashcourt in March 2003.

Philip Yarrow - Asset Manager

Philip started his career in 1984 when he joined Grieveson Grant, at the time the largest UK private client stockbrokers, where he was responsible for managing portfolios of individuals, trusts and charities. Philip joined NatWest Stockbrokers in 1988 before joining the Kent-based solicitors Cripps Harries Hall, who were pioneers in setting up an investment management division within a legal practice.

In 1998 Philip joined Westminster-based solicitors, Bircham & Co, as part of the investment management team, which was closely aligned to the Private Client department. Philip was responsible for the investment process, managing portfolios and working closely with the solicitors on the legal requirements for each client.

In March 2003 Philip joined Ashcourt Asset Management as an Asset Manager with responsibility for managing client portfolios for individuals, trusts and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).

Clare Harvey - Asset Manager

Clare joined Ashcourt in November 2000 having graduated from the University of Greenwich. She began her career with Ashcourt as administration Assistant to Lisa Felstead and was responsible for corporate actions and assisting Lisa with the administration of the Maidstone advisory clients.

In July 2001 Clare was offered the role of Trainee Asset Manager and in December 2001 successfully acquired the Investment Management Certificate (IMC). Clare was now able to focus solely on the management of the Maidstone advisory clients, in particular the trust portfolios, and has established a strong working relationship with Brachers Solicitors Trust Department.

In November 2002 Clare was appointed Assistant Asset Manager, having been given direct responsibility for a large number of the trust portfolios and various advisory and discretionary clients. Clare has developed a successful probate and execution only service and in May 2004 was appointed Asset Manager.

Adrian Everton - Asset Manager

Adrian Everton was educated in North London and on leaving school entered the legal profession. His first firm was in London where he spent 13 years in the Probate Department ending up as Probate Manager. Having always had a keen interest in finance and the stockmarket, he gradually began advising clients on managing their investments and finances. He joined Hawkins Russell Jones, solicitors, in 1972 as the Probate Manager, but he continued to manage clients' investments, advising on their general finances & Tax affairs and started to enlarge his client base. He set up their Financial Services Department which transferred to Ashcourt Asset Management in 2003. Now, he manages around £20,000,000 on behalf of clients and Trusts. He is authorised by the Financial Services Authority and is a Member of the Securities Institute. He is a past Chairman of Henlow Parish Council - in which village he lives - & a former Clerk to two Hitchin educational charities. He was also Chairman of the Hitchin branch of a Hertfordshire Disabled charity and of Henlow Middle School PTA, Treasurer of Henlow Lower School PTA & a School Governor. He is a Trustee of a Henlow charity & is married with three grown up daughters & two grandchildren. Any spare time is spent with his grandchildren, gardening, holidaying abroad, playing whist and general socialising.

Ashcourt Asset Management Limited

Registered Office: 11 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4UN. Registered in England and Wales with company number 3691998