About us

Francis Jackson

I assumed the role of CEO* at Ascot Lloyd in September 2024. With nearly three decades of experience in financial services, my career has spanned senior management and client-facing roles at several global institutions.Before joining Ascot Lloyd, I served as CEO of RBC Investor Services at the Royal Bank of Canada for nearly five years, where I was responsible for developing and executing growth strategies for the business, leading a team of 5,000 employees across 17 countries. Preceding this, I held positions such as Global Head of Client Coverage for Investor & Treasury Services, and Head of Investor Services Sales at JPMorgan. Additionally, at SEI Investments, I managed a team that developed an innovative Investment Processing Platform.I hold a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics & Politics from the University of Salford, Manchester.  
*subject to FCA approval

Cath McVey

I became Group HR Director at Ascot Lloyd in August 2017 following the Ascot Lloyd and Bellpenny merger.  Previous to Ascot Lloyd I was the European HR Director for the Warranty Group, and the Group European HR Director for Aon underwriting companies.

I was responsible for taking charge of the strategic direction of the people agenda and all senior level decision making for day to day tactical, operational HR and learning and development. I also bring significant transactional experience from my time at The Warranty Group and at Aon Underwriting Group where I was also a European HR Manager, overseeing due diligence on numerous major acquisitions.

Gary Stirrup

Gary Stirrup joins us from Brooks Macdonald where he was Director, Head of UK Distribution for the last 5 years leading the successful sales effort, especially in terms of their MPS and bespoke MPS propositions.

Gary has spent more than 30 years in financial services working with advisers across investment management and platforms, including Quilter and Fidelity, with a deep understanding of these sectors. Gary has a BA in Business Studies and a BSc in Sports Science and has taken part in several leadership programmes, including The INSEAD Business School.

Steve Lloyd

I joined Ascot Lloyd as it merged with Bellpenny in 2017. As Investment Director, I ensure that all Ascot Lloyd IFAs have the investment tools to provide clients with diverse range of suitable, and robust investment solutions.

My career in Financial Services started in 2003, and after joining Bellpenny in 2012 as Head of paraplanning, I went on to specialise in investments, and built Bellpenny’s centralised investment proposition, and became Investment Director of Ascot Lloyd in 2017.

Gordon Kerr

I joined Ascot Lloyd in 2020 to take us through the next rapid phase of acquisition growth.  I am responsible for the identification, execution and integration of like-minded IFA firms looking to sell and secure the future for their business. 

I began my career at Deloitte audit in Edinburgh, where in my 12 years there I gained diverse experience across a number of service offerings, in particular audit, consulting and corporate finance.  I have since built my experience across financial services from nascent fintechs to established wealth management firms and FTSE100 banks.  I moved to corporate finance in 2015 in London gaining significant M&A expertise working on multi-million/billion pound transactions.

I am a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS).

Jessica Brescia

I joined Ascot Lloyd in 2020 and am responsible for the risk and compliance functions within the business.  I have spent most of my career in the wealth and asset management industry and prior to Ascot Lloyd, I was the Chief Risk Officer of Merian Global Investors (previously Old Mutual Global Investors).  I help support businesses by devising risk management and compliance frameworks to support the delivery of business strategy. 

I started my career as a lawyer in the financial services group at Dechert LLP, specialising in the establishment, listing and marketing of investment funds.  I am a member of the New York State Bar, New Jersey State Bar and admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales. 

Felice Rea

I joined Ascot Lloyd in 2017. I have over 15 years’ experience in financial services with prior roles as Group Finance Director, Head of Compliance and Board member of the Torquil Clark group and member of Skipton Building Society Conduct and Operational Risk committee.

I have extensive experience of managing finance functions, enhancing processes, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence processes and integrating teams within financial services.

I am a chartered accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and Member of the Institute of Taxation.

Simon Vella

I joined Ascot Lloyd in 2022 as Chief Marketing Officer and have 20+ years in marketing roles, having had several leadership roles in B2C start-ups and scale-ups in the UK, Europe, Middle East and South America.

With a very data driven approach I have broad experience across the full marketing mix, including digital, demand generation, proposition and brand within the Wealth and Insurance industry.

I hold a BA (Hons) in European Business Economics alongside additional executive education at Asbridge Business School, and more recently Kellog Northwester University, studying Product Strategy.

Jaco Cebula

I joined Ascot Lloyd in September 2023, and have over 20 years’ experience working in leadership roles in financial services technology, including 8 years as CTO/COO at Multrees Investor Services and 7 years as IT Development Manager at AEGON Asset Management.

I have a track record of delivering technology solutions that fix real world business problems, and enjoy articulating the benefits of new technology, and particular the adoption of digitalisation, AI, and cloud modernisation in the context of wealth management.

I hold several Technology and Architecture certifications across both Microsoft and Amazon cloud platforms.

Christian Burgess

I joined Ascot Lloyd in 2023 to head up both the Finance & Operations functions. I have over 25 years’ experience in financial services, prior to joining Ascot Lloyd I was Group CFO & MD of Developing Markets at Cabot Credit Management, responsible for the business in both the UK and continental Europe.

Previously I have worked at Deutsche Bank as a Managing Director in roles within both Finance and Operations focusing on portfolio companies and legacy assets.

I am a chartered accountant with both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CA).