About Us
Carbon Financial
We are in business to help people realise the life story they have always dreamed of.
So when you achieve ‘financial success’ in whichever guise it takes, this success will be celebrated not only by you but the whole team at Carbon. It is our purpose to make a meaningful impact in your life.
We love a success story. Our team wants to make a meaningful impact on your life. Expect them to celebrate your success and live and breathe your aspirations, every day, as your financial planners and partners in life.
Our Team
Gordon Wilson
Managing Director
Gordon co-founded Carbon in 2011. He began his career as a graduate trainee with Standard Life in 1992 and went on to own his first business, Thomson Shepherd, in 2000. After 8 years of growth through acquisition and organic growth, the majority stake in the business was sold to Skipton Building Society where Gordon was a managing director.
An average golfer, Gordon enjoys touring the Perthshire countryside on his bike. He also spends a good deal of time trying to catch the increasingly elusive Scottish salmon.
Shireen Fernie
Operations Director
A founding director at Carbon, Shireen began her financial services career as an administrator almost straight from school. Thirty years later she has probably performed every role in the business so brings a wealth of experience and expertise.
Shireen is responsible for everything in the business except delivering advice so is critical to the smooth running of Carbon.
Shireen is a lover of the outdoors, and an avid gardener when she isn’t acting as a taxi service for her daughter, Emma.
Barry O’Neill
Investment Director
A founding director at Carbon, Barry served his apprenticeship at TSB, then spent 12 years at Norwich Union. He is a Chartered Financial Planner, a Certified Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, and a holder of the Investment Management Certificate.
Barry is an investment specialist and plays a key role in leading Carbon’s investment strategy.
A director of Montrose FC, Barry also plays the drums and loves live music and travel. He was once a part-time lighthouse keeper, but finally saw the light.
Mark Christie
Financial Planning Director
A founding director, Mark spent eight years with Standard Life before becoming an independent financial adviser.
A Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner with 30 years experience, Mark specialises in advising business owners and helping them to establish how much money they need to ensure they can have all the fun they want without ever running out of money.
A lover of the great outdoors, Mark enjoys mountain biking and tries hard at golf. His greatest passion though is skiing, particularly off-piste.
Alison Whyte
Client Director
Alison has been with Carbon since our first day of trading. She has 30 years experience of working in financial services and has successfully performed a range of administrative and management roles in her career. Alison now focuses on all things client, making sure Carbon delivers exceptional service and great events.
When she’s not working Alison enjoys walking, travel and spending time with friends and family.
Matt Duncan
Associate Director
Matt holds MSC and MA degrees in finance and investment management from the University of Aberdeen. He is also a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Matt’s clients include business owners, senior executives and partners in law and accountancy practices. With a detailed knowledge of all aspects of financial planning Matt is well placed to advise on complex financial issues.
A keen player and spectator of many sports, Matt is also interested in current affairs and travel. He harbours an ambition to visit every country in the world.
Richard Wadsworth
Director, Glasgow
Richard joined Carbon in 2012 having started his career as a graduate trainee with Standard Life. He went on to work for Douglas Deakin Young in London and Ernst & Young, where he advised the partners. Richard’s qualifications include; Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (FPFS) & Chartered Financial Planner, Affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Registered Life Planner.
While Richard deals with a range of different clients, he works in particular with:
1 - busy individuals and families looking ahead to retirement; and
2 - women going through separation or divorce in Scotland where matrimonial assets amount to over £1m.
Richard took up cycling in his 40s and is now a confirmed MAMIL (middle-aged man in lycra).
Darren Lees
Associate Director
Darren is a Chartered Financial Planner. A law graduate, Darren began his career on Carbon’s graduate training programme. After he qualified he joined an independent financial adviser in London before moving to Coutts Private Bank where he advised entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals.
Darren is charged with growing our London office. His clients include business owners, senior executives and partners in law and accountancy practices. With a detailed knowledge of all aspects of financial planning Darren is well placed to advise on complex financial issues.
When not at work Darren can usually be found on the golf course, at a football or rugby stadium, or glued to the television watching live sport.
John Bell
Technical Director
John graduated with an MA in business and economics. He is a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner.
As technical director, John has detailed understanding of most aspects of financial advice and planning. He also chairs Carbon’s investment team.
A massive film fan, John is a regular at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and once met Kevin Bacon.
Gary Wright
Associate Director
Gary graduated from Heriot-Watt University with an MA (Hons) in accountancy and finance. He is a Chartered Financial Planner, and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. He also has the Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management and is studying for his Chartered Tax Adviser qualification.
Gary’s clients include business owners, senior executives and partners in law and accountancy practices. With a detailed knowledge of all aspects of financial planning Gary is well placed to advise on complex financial issues.
A golf and rugby fan, Gary actively supports several charities. He also enjoys dining in good restaurants.
Iain Harper
Associate Director
Iain graduated with MA (Hons) in business studies and economics from the University of Edinburgh, is a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Iain advises clients from a broad range of backgrounds on pre and post retirement matters and investment.
Outside of work, Iain’s main interests are rugby, golf, hillwalking and cycling.
Liam Kerr
Director, Aberdeen
With a BA in International Business and Spanish, Liam is a Chartered Financial Planner.
Liam works in our Aberdeen office and advises clients from a wide range of backgrounds on pre and post retirement issues and investment.
Liam loves to play and watch most sports. He may be at his happiest when walking his dog Ted in the beautiful countryside of the North East.
Polly Reaves
Financial Planner
Polly graduated from the University of Glasgow with a BSc (Hons) in Physiology and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland. Polly is working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner.
Away from the office, Polly enjoys playing hockey for Heriot’s and is the club’s Treasurer. Polly also enjoys skiing and has recently taken up cycling.
Jonathan Young
Financial Planner
Jonathan Young is a Financial Planner with Carbon. This is actually his second stint with Carbon, having originally worked in the business a few years ago. He explored opportunities with another wealth management business but ultimately came back as he preferred the culture here and trusts the senior management in their vision for the company and his career. Jonathan had a slightly unusual journey into financial planning as his degree from Strathclyde University was in English. When leaving University, the careers for that degree were driven towards teaching which was something he wasn’t interested in. Instead, he went to work for a pensions provider and worked his way into becoming a technical expert in pensions. He then decided to move into financial planning in 2016 for more diversity which has been the area he has remained in ever since.
Zoë Malpas
Financial Planner
Zoë’s career in Financial Services began studying Finance & Business at Abertay University. Zoë is working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. Zoë has experience of advising on a range of financial situations which might include complex pensions or more conventional investment solutions.
Zoë’s passion for her clients and their families allows them to benefit from a personal and unique experience.
Out of working hours Zoë can be found in the hills with the dog, socialising with her friends and family or annoying her loved ones with motivational/inspirational quotes!
Michael Wilson
Financial Planner
Michael graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Studies from Heriot Watt University. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
Michael joined Carbon as a Graduate Trainee and has performed a variety of roles throughout the business, most recently transitioning into the role of Financial Planner.
Away from work, Michael is heavily involved in his local church and enjoys playing football, going to the gym and travelling.
Felicity Morris
Financial Planner
Felicity began her career in Financial Services in Chester, before relocating to Bristol, and finally Edinburgh in order to progress through various roles. Felicity is working towards Chartered Financial Planner status and enjoys developing her experience and knowledge of the Financial Services industry. Felicity understands that ensuring your financial “health” is top notch allows you to relax and enjoy the rest of your life.
Outside of work, Felicity is a keen climber and looks forward to bagging 282 Munros, in addition to Kitesurfing along beautiful stretches of the Scottish coastline. Of course, to fuel those hobbies, Felicity spends plenty of time baking and cooking.
> Connect with Felicity on LinkedIn
Dean McFarlane
Financial Planner
Dean graduated with a BA(Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Robert Gordon University. He holds the CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is working towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. Dean joined Carbon during the Covid-19 pandemic as a Graduate Trainee and recently transitioned into the Trainee Financial Planner role. Outside of work, Dean enjoys spending time with family, watching live sport and going to the gym. He has competed in Powerlifting competitions at a national level.
George Sampson
Financial Planner
Trainee Planner George studied at the University of Edinburgh and holds an MA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance. George joined Carbon back in 2018 and is currently working towards becoming a chartered financial planner. He assists the planning team within all aspects of financial planning and plans to become a financial planner himself in the not so distant future. When not at work George is a very keen golfer, likes to keep fit, and watch live sporting events with his friends.
LIFE
The LIFE acronym describes what you can expect from our planning team:
L – Listening:
We will actively listen to you, so we understand what is most important to you.
I – Invested:
We will be deeply committed to helping you realise the life you want to live.
F – Friendly:
We care about what we do and we care about our clients. We are approachable and there to help you.
E – Empathetic:
We understand the challenges money brings, both too much of it and too little of it. We also understand how difficult it can be to talk about money. We get it.
Friendly and place customer first. They take the stress away from financial planning and provide clear and easy to understand advice
Carbon client testimonial
Our Values
We will always be the best we can be, going the extra mile for our clients and providing the best quality advice and service. We invest heavily in training and personal development so each member of our team is supported to reach their potential.
We will always do the right thing for our clients, our team and our communities. The advice our clients receive will be no different from the advice we would give to ourselves or members of our own family.
We are free to be different, as an independent company owned by its employees, Carbon can go its own way, free from the constraints of being a large corporate or the traditions of the financial services industry. We are no ordinary financial advice business.
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We have offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth and London. You can contact us at any of our offices, or by email.
Carbon Financial Partners Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The guidance and/or advice contained in this website is subject to UK regulatory regime and is therefore restricted to consumers based in the UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of tax advice.
Registered in Scotland #SC386400.
Registered Office: 61 Manor Place, Edinburgh EH3 7EG, Scotland.
© Carbon Financial Partners 2023
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