Meet The Team

Digby began his working life in a bank becoming a branch manager, before realising that the only way to offer financial advice was to be outside the constraints of these traditional institutions. He became a financial adviser 24 years ago and established Digby Associates in 2007, with a desire to provide clients with a bespoke and impartial service.

Digby is proud of the way the company has grown to boast one of the youngest team of advisers in the country - an important consideration for clients looking forward to receiving continuity in advice for the next 30 years.

His family, sailing, squash and watching the Bristol Bears rugby team are Digby's other passions outside of work.

Paul joined Digby Associates four years ago in a part-time role and is also a member of the management team where he draws on the experience gained from a 41-year career spent with Barclays Bank. Paul, who has always lived in the Bristol area, has built a reputation for establishing trusting relationships, providing lasting solutions and contributing to client growth and development.

When not at his desk, he enjoys cycling, playing golf and squash along with the occasional game of five-a-side football. Paul is also a proud blood platelet donor and last year joined a very exclusive club when he passed the 250-donation landmark.

Gary, who joined us in 2018, has been working in the financial services industry for 30 years. He is a member of the senior management team and works closely with our advisers as well as a portfolio of clients.

Gary is also heavily involved with business acquisition as Digby Associates continues to go from strength to strength. He feels a responsibility “to make sure the client does not pay more tax than they legitimately need to do, and that they do not run out of money.”

When not working, avid Arsenal supporter Gary enjoys martial arts and travelling.

Graham joined Digby Associates in April 2019 after spending more than 25 years in the financial services industry with a range of national companies. Thanks to his experience in sales-focused activities and a life-long interest in planning and investment, he brings a real commercial focus to our determination to ensure value for clients as well as the business itself.

Graham, who lives in Clevedon with his wife and youngest daughter, enjoys walking Jasper, the family’s Cockapoo, as well as reading historical fiction and biographies. Graham is also a devoted follower of the Exeter Chiefs rugby team, ensuring lively conversations with the many Bristol Bears fans in the office.

James worked for several national life and pension providers before joining Digby Associates in 2014 and moving into advising. Over his 20 years in the industry, he developed a particular interest in final salary pensions and making sure clients could look forward to their best possible retirement.

James has now taken on the role of Business Development Manager and is responsible for establishing and growing strong relationships between Digby Associates and our providers and introducers.

Outside work he enjoys spending time with his two young children and following a range of different sports, as well as maintaining his fitness levels by cycling around Bristol and beyond.

Imogen’s journey in the financial services industry began in 2015 when she joined Digby Associates as an administrator, soon progressing to becoming a qualified Financial Planner.

She has since undertaken further studies to become a Chartered Financial Planner. Imogen, who believes strongly in ‘treating people the way you would like to be treated yourself’, enjoys meeting clients and helping them make plans to reach their goals, from providing for their families to being able to take dream holidays in retirement.

She is a keen traveller, both in the UK and abroad, enjoys playing football and once skydived over the Great Barrier Reef.

Tom joined us as an administrator in 2013 after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a degree in economics. He progressed through paraplanning to become a qualified adviser three years later and now works on all areas of personal finance, and is also a qualified pension transfer specialist allowing him to offer a full advice service for clients with Defined Benefit or Final Salary pensions.

Here, he enjoys establishing the aims and priorities of clients, allowing him to develop long-term relationships. Tom, who used to play the trumpet in a ska-punk band, is looking to build upon his Diploma in Financial Planning by working towards his Advanced Diploma.

Away from the office, he enjoys watching and playing rugby for his village club, board games and listening to new music.

Lewis is our longest-serving member of staff having joined us straight from school as an office junior. He progressed from taking care of basic administration for meetings to becoming a paraplanner ahead of studying to become a qualified adviser in 2018.

Lewis, who is married with two young children, is now keen to push on again and become a chartered adviser. He enjoys getting to know clients, understanding their long-term aspirations and plans for retirement.

In his remaining spare time, Lewis relaxes by watching the Marvel films and Game of Thrones, and he is also an avid fan of West Ham United.

Dave has worked in financial services since leaving the University of Southampton with a degree in philosophy. He became a financial adviser in 2013, and is a qualified pension transfer specialist allowing him to offer a full advice service for clients with Defined Benefit or Final Salary pensions.

Dave, who joined Digby Associates in 2018 and has two young children, is a strong advocate of protection advice, believing everyone benefits from having a conversation with an experienced financial adviser, even if it is to double check that everything is the way it should be.

He drives rally cars as a hobby and holds a City & Guilds qualification in MIG Welding which is useful when he needs to work on his Subaru Impreza.

Matt joined Digby Associates in 2018 after holding a range of technical and compliance positions with national companies.

After initially providing support to our Defined Benefit advisers, Matt is now enjoying a new role that allows him to make the most of his 30 years’ experience in investments, inheritance tax and pensions. He fully understands the importance of developing strong relationships and providing practical solutions to clients, ensuring we build on a desire to deliver bespoke and practical services.

Bristolian Matt is married with two children, and is a qualified FA coach with a particular love of Liverpool and Bristol Rovers as well as being a keen cyclist.

Joe joined Digby Associates in March 2018 as an administrator before studying for his Diploma in Financial Planning and progressing to his current role.

He is passionate about ethical investments, enjoying researching the credentials of new funds in this fast-evolving sector, and is preparing to start working towards becoming a chartered adviser.

Joe, who used to work in customer service, enjoys travelling with New Zealand one of his favourite countries visited. Lockdown provided some extra time for him to resume playing the guitar, both electric and acoustic, while Joe also describes himself as a bookworm with a particular interest in military history and detective stories from the 1940s and 50s.

Hannah joined Digby Associates in October 2018 after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in English Literature.

She completed Quilter Financial Adviser School in April 2021 and will be a qualified Financial Adviser in 2022. Hannah has a keen interest in Environmental Social Governance (ESG) Funds and is working towards her CFA Certificate in ESG Investing Qualification.

In her spare time, Hannah enjoys cycling, baking sweet treats and she also volunteers for a local helpline.

Donna began her career in the financial services industry as an administrator in Yeovil 23 years ago, and has since gained a lot of experience.

She then moved to Bath, working for several mortgage brokers and IFAs, before joining Digby Associates in 2017. After a year she was promoted to her current role and now looks after a team of five advisers and the administration staff.

Donna is focused on ensuring that mortgage applications are processed efficiently from start to finish. She enjoys exercising and her hobbies include an interest in health and nutrition along with spending time with family and friends.

Jack joined Digby Associates in 2015. He brings a tremendous amount of experience to the team after beginning his mortgage career in 1990, helping brokers with specialist placing advice.

It was his next role, as Business Development Manager for a French bank, that introduced Jack to mortgage packaging. He went on to spend 18 years with a Bristol company, and was part of the senior management team that saw it become one of the largest packagers in the UK, helping brokers and their clients navigate the changing mortgage regulation landscape, and providing back-office processing and underwriting capabilities.

Away from work, Jack enjoys cycling, cooking and country walks with his four dogs.

Jason worked in the mortgage business for 16 years before becoming a member of the team at Digby Associates in early 2020.

He has established a base of loyal clients around the country and is proud that most of his work is from referrals and personal recommendation. Jason, who has a particular interest in the buy to let sector, understands the value of attention to detail in his work with clients and enjoys reacting to changes and shifts in the market.

When not working, Jason enjoys practising fingerpicking on his acoustic guitar and listening to the music of Bob Dylan. He is also looking forward to the day when he can once again go scuba diving.

Patty joined Digby Associates in early 2019. She has more than five years’ experience as a mortgage and protection adviser and also qualified as an equity release adviser in 2019.

Patty, who studied for a degree in social sciences at the University of Bath, has vast estate agency experience which has proved extremely useful in her current role. She offers a comprehensive service ensuring clients have a full understanding of the buying or remortgaging process in the UK, and prides herself on being able to assist members of the Polish community thanks to the fact that it was her first language.

Away from work, Patty enjoys spending time with her two young daughters and husband.

Jo has a strong background in mortgages and insurance having worked initially as a paraplanner ahead of moving into advising 13 years ago.

She is now one of our most experienced advisers in both the mortgage and protection market, and remains as passionate about providing the best level of service she can as the day she qualified. Jo is focused on helping clients achieve their property dreams, from buying their first home, investing or taking on a self-build, ensuring they are properly advised and protected at every stage of the process.

She enjoys cycling and swimming but can mostly be found on Salisbury Plain walking her two dogs, enjoying the fresh air and countryside.

Lucy joined Digby Associates in 2020 after completing her Diploma in Financial Planning and CeMAP Qualification, whilst working for a Financial Planning company.

She had previously studied for a degree in Sociology at the University of York and is also qualified Personal Trainer. Lucy combined this interest with her studies at the Quilter Financial Adviser School. She works closely with our Advisers as a Paraplanner with the aim of developing her skills to become an Adviser.

Lucy is an avid cyclist, enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her Grandparents, and has a love for Highland Cows!

Jade, who is originally from Bath, arrived at Digby Associates in mid 2022 when she returned to financial services after five years working in the beauty industry.

Jade, who spends much of her time on valuation reports, relishes being a member of a vibrant team and is also interested in market fluctuations.

She and her husband enjoy attending Comic Con, an annual comic book convention, while they are also kept busy by their six-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.
In the past, Jade has supported the charity, Look Good Feel Better, which helps women combat the visible side effects of their cancer treatment. And she is now using her beauty background to volunteer on a word-of-mouth basis to further support people living with cancer.

Sarah, who joined Digby Associates in mid 2022, has one of the most varied and interesting working backgrounds of all our employees.

Previous jobs include being a vet’s assistant, managing a cheque centre and working as a Post Officer cashier as well as running a school’s breakfast club and canteen. Since arriving at Digby Associates, Sarah has been enjoying learning new skills while also drawing on her many years experience in customer service to ensure that our clients’ needs are put first.

She enjoys busy days in the office while time at home is just as hectic thanks to the fact that she has 11 grandchildren!
Sarah’s favourite holiday hot spot is Cyprus while she dreams of one day seeing the Northern Lights.

Dulcie, who grew up in London, completed a degree in English Literature at the University of Bristol ahead of joining Digby Associates in mid 2022.

She enjoys the varied and busy nature of her work as an administrator as well as being part of a young and energetic team. Dulcie is interested in exploring the possibilities of becoming a paraplanner as she develops her skills and knowledge.

When not at work, Dulcie relaxes by cooking and trying new recipes as well as sampling Bristol's vibrant restaurant scene. She is also a keen traveller. Favourite country visited to date is Vietnam while Dulcie would also like to explore Central and South America in the future.

Jasmine is one of our newest employees after joining Digby Associates straight from completing her GCSEs at Chew Valley School.

She is currently combining working with the mortgage team and spending time at college, and will soon be spending time with our wealth management advisers.
Jasmine is keen to develop the skills and knowledge that will help her achieve her ambition of becoming a paraplanner and possibly even an adviser further down the line.

Jasmine enjoyed cheerleading when she was at school, and likes to travel. Her favourite countries are Thailand and the United States, and she would like to visit Dubai.
She also likes to stay fit by running and visiting the gym.

Elyse completed a degree in primary school education at the University of the West of England, and taught for three years, before joining Digby Associates in 2022.

Communication and organisational skills honed in the classroom have proved to be valuable in her role as Digby’s personal assistant, and she enjoys the extremely varied nature of her work with no two days ever being the same.

Away from the office, Elyse likes to keep active by going to the gym, running and playing social hockey on a Saturday. Alongside this, Elyse likes to attend music festivals, particularly Glastonbury when she is lucky enough to secure a prized ticket. Elyse watches a lot of sport, including the Bristol Bears rugby team, and also enjoys walking and visiting new destinations.