Craig Watterson
Chartered Financial Planner/Director
I spent my early years qualifying and studying to be a Mechanical Design Engineer. However, in my early twenties I decided that engineering was not for me and I wanted to follow a career in financial services.
I learned the ropes at a number of blue chip insurance/financial services companies before progressing to become a successful mortgage broker.
In 2001, I then went on to join forces with my brother George as a financial planner in his Wealth Management business based in Knutsford, Cheshire.
As an integral part of the team, I helped to propel the business to great success which eventually led to the acquisition of the business by AXA/Bluefin in 2008.
I spent a further six years at Bluefin as a Chartered Financial Planner before they were acquired by Towry, and I decided to leave at that point to take my career in a different direction.
In 2016, given my years of experience in dealing with professional and high net worth clients, I decided to establish my own business, Watterson Financial Planning Ltd.
I am in the very fortunate position that my excellent support team who have worked with me for many years have decided to join me in this new venture along with my brother George.
Away from the office, I like to spend time with my family and study Chen style tai chi, as well as enjoying the occasional ride on my motorbike.
George Watterson
Operations & Business Development
I began my career as a Chartered Accountant with international accountants PWC, working both in the UK and the US. I then moved into the financial planning world, working for one of the UK’s leading life and investment companies before founding my own business, Watterson Wealth Management Ltd. I successfully built the company over a number of years, leading to its eventual sale to the AXA group in 2008. Following this, I continued to manage the company, albeit as part of a much larger group, until deciding to take early retirement from business in 2014.
When my brother Craig decided to establish Watterson Financial Planning Ltd (WFP), he asked if I would be interested in getting involved so that WFP could utilise the many years of experience I had in operating and growing a financial planning business. Having worked closely with Craig and the other members of staff for many years previously, it was not a difficult decision to make, and I was delighted to get involved.
Although I am both a Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Accountant, I am no longer providing individual financial planning advice, instead leaving that to the experienced financial planning team. I concentrate solely on the operational and business development side of the business.
Outside of work, I enjoy the frustrations of trying to improve my golf game and the challenge of playing different courses. I like travelling with my wife, exploring new areas both in the UK and abroad, and continue to embrace the never-ending quest to maintain my fitness levels.
Laura Peel
Financial
Planner
Following my graduation from UMIST in 2001 where I studied Chemistry and Management, my interest in finance and numbers led me into a career in Financial Planning.
I joined an Adviser Graduate Scheme in Bath with the national firm, Chase de Vere, before relocating to Cheshire in 2005 to join the team at Watterson Wealth Management. The business was subsequently sold to Bluefin (a subsidiary of AXA) in 2008 and then to Towry in 2013.
Having worked in both a smaller, independent financial planning business and a larger corporate one, my opinion is that clients only really receive a fully individual, tailored financial planning service within the former, therefore this was the type of business that I wanted to join when I decided to return to work after a short break.
I am therefore delighted to be working again with Craig and George Watterson, together with a highly experienced support team, to offer high net worth clients a truly personal and bespoke financial planning service.
Outside of work, I have two young sons who certainly keep me on my toes. I love playing netball when time allows, and you can often find me on the allotment on a Sunday morning, fighting with the weeds!
Alison Paget
Office Manager
I started working in financial services 14 years ago with Watterson Wealth Management, and that is where I first met and worked with Craig.
During this time, I have obtained numerous industry qualifications and a wealth of knowledge and experience within the sector.
I was the Office Manager for Watterson Wealth Management and responsible for 24 members of staff until its acquisition in 2008. I continued in that role until recently, both for Bluefin and Towry.
However, I could not pass up the opportunity to join Watterson Financial Planning. Throughout my career within financial services, I have enjoyed the varied challenges and responsibilities it brings.
I enjoy ‘some me time’ by sailing on my narrow boat, walking and reading.
Aileen Martin
Senior Paraplanner
After graduating from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in business studies, I have spent my entire working life in financial services. I started out as an investment manager in the City of London before moving to Manchester.
A brief spell of commuting over to Sheffield convinced me that a change in career path was necessary to allow me to work closer to home. This brought me into the world of Paraplanning, where I have worked for the past twelve years. I was the Senior member of the Paraplanning team for Watterson Wealth Management and continued in that role until recently with both Bluefin and Towry.
I have endeavoured to increase my knowledge base over the years and have achieved numerous advanced industry qualifications. In my spare time, I enjoy walking, cycling (slowly) and gardening.
Claire Kivlin
Senior Administrator
Following my graduation from Edge Hill University with a Degree in History and Sports Studies, I have spent my working life in financial services, starting out in the Life Assurance business with Aviva and then a small Life Insurance broker.
In 2007, following the completion of several industry qualifications, I was delighted to get the opportunity to join the administration team at Watterson Wealth Management.
I have since built up a wealth of knowledge and experience within that role and continued this until recently with both Bluefin and Towry.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter, cycling, running, tending to my vegetable patch, and reading.
