MON - FRI: 9.00AM - 5.30PM
MEET THE TEAM
Providing the best service & ongoing support
At the Financial Options Group, our emphasis is firmly on offering straight talking and practical advice, which guides our clients through the complex financial landscape.
Christian J Pepper
Christian is the founder of the Financial Options Group and possesses more than 25 years’ experience in financial services. He has worked with numerous individuals and companies to create bespoke strategies for building significant wealth, helping them to achieve their financial goals and aspirations. Also a prolific investor in local property, Christian has built a number of multi-million pound property portfolios. In 2018, Christian set up the Financial Options Charitable Foundation with the aim of making a lasting difference to the lives of local people in need. Through the Foundation, Christian and his team provide ongoing support for many local charities and organisations.
An avid golfer, Christian also enjoys hiking and connecting with friends and family.
GROUP CEO
Sarah Kendell
Sarah plays an instrumental role in business strategy and management of the firm while providing expert advice to individual and corporate clients. Sarah’s leadership approach is underpinned by her commitment to ensuring the firm’s values of client care and community are embodied throughout the business. Sarah takes the lead on event organisation and fundraising for the Financial Options Group Charitable Foundation. She holds Chartered Status, an Advanced Diploma in Financial Advice and Later Life Adviser Accreditation.
Spending time with her son Toby, long walks and socialising and dining out with friends are Sarah’s favourite pastimes.
CHARTERED FINANCIAL ADVISER &
HEAD OF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Charlotte Banks
Charlotte joined our firm in 2012 and has over 17 years' experience in the financial services industry. She plays a key role heading up our management team. Her day-to-day duties include overseeing workflow, facilitating training and managing our advisers and client services executives to ensure our team works together to deliver great service to our clients.
In addition to handling our in-house HR, payroll and recruitment functions, Charlotte deals with regulation and compliance matters and liaises with stakeholders and providers to build strong, ongoing relationships for the future.
Away from work, Charlotte enjoys going on holidays with her fiancé Tom and catching up with family, friends and the latest TV.
HEAD OF PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT
Paul Breaks
Paul joined the firm after a spell in partnership and an extensive career with two major insurers. He is passionate about giving his clients greater control over their lives by helping them make better financial decisions and credits a healthy dose of enthusiasm as the secret to his success. Paul is also Chair of the Accrington-based charity Ynot Aspire.
Paul enjoys playing squash, spending time with family and supporting the world-renowned ‘reds’. That’s right, Accrington Stanley!
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Jenny Loftus
With more than 17 years' experience in financial planning and strategic wealth management, Jenny acts as a key point of contact for high-net-worth clients as she spearheads our Family Office service. Having originally joined the Financial Options Group team in 2013 as a personal assistant before progressing to become a paraplanner and later a financial adviser, Jenny attained the Level 4 Diploma and Certificate in Mortgage and Advice Practice in 2018. A member of our Board since 2021, she achieved Chartered status in 2023.
When she’s not in the office, Jenny loves to travel. She is married and her pastimes include photography, dining out and long walks with her husband Martin and Shihpoo, Eric.
CHARTERED FINANCIAL ADVISER
Lauren Bailey
Lauren joined the Financial Options Group back in 2015 and has many years' experience in financial advice. In 2018 she gained her Diploma for Financial Advisers and her Certificate in Mortgage and Advice Practice. Lauren is passionate about helping to create and implement bespoke financial planning which works to optimise the financial prospects of individuals, families and businesses. She is a great believer in the importance of relationship-building and takes an empathetic and professional approach to meeting her clients’ financial planning needs. In a dual role, Lauren also works alongside Financial Options Group CEO Christian Pepper as a key contact for high net-worth clients.
Lauren enjoys traveling, socialising with friends and taking long walks with her husband Grant.
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Brian Sandiford
With more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Brian is a specialist in all areas of protection and mortgage advice. Having gained expertise over seven years at ethical finance society Friends Life, Brian joined the Financial Options Group in 2018. Brian is committed to helping first-time buyers to find suitable mortgages, and helping those who already have a mortgage save more money. He has a passion for Buy to Let investment and enjoys working with clients to build their portfolios in line with their objectives.
Brian enjoys spending time with his young daughter, family meals out and walks in the park.
MORTGAGE & PROTECTION ADVISER
Melissa Goodwill
Having joined the firm in 2018, Melissa works as an assistant to our Group CEO, Christian Pepper. She benefits from wide-ranging experience, which she has garnered through administrative roles in diverse industries. With a creative eye and excellent attention to detail, Melissa also handles property management and interior design for property companies which are based in Stoneholme and owned solely or in partnership by Christian.
In addition to spending time with her daughter and partner, Melissa has several pastimes including baking, photography and going on scenic walks.
PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO GROUP CEO
Christian Jackson
Chris joined the Financial Options Group in 2018. His previous financial services roles include eight years spent in Client Support at a major financial advice firm. Having completed the Diploma for Financial Advisers and the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice in 2020, Chris demonstrates energy, commitment and attention to detail as he works with clients to create individualised financial plans built around their specific needs, financial circumstances and lifestyle aspirations.
Chris is an avid Manchester United fan who enjoys travelling and going out for meals.
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Amy Whitehouse
A high achiever driven to deliver outstanding results, Amy joined the FOG team in 2019 and has many years' experience in the financial services industry. Having previously worked for a Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) pension provider, she holds a BA (Hons) in International Business Management and has also completed the Diploma for Financial Advisers and Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice at Quilter’s Financial Adviser School. Amy takes a client-focussed approach, seeing every client individually and putting their needs first.
In her free time, Amy likes going to the gym and walking her dog.
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Lauren Chatterley
Lauren plays a vital role as the firm’s client services lead and brings more than 15 years' financial services experience. A member of our team since 2017, she is responsible for workflow, training and ensuring the highest standards of client care are met across the business. Her day-to-day duties also include organising client events, marketing and keeping up-to-date with compliance and regulatory changes.
At the weekends, Lauren enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her husband and her dog Frankie.
HEAD OF CLIENT SERVICES
Natalie Jaques
With 15+ years’ sector experience, Natalie takes a holistic approach to financial planning and works across multiple financial advice disciplines such as investments, pensions, protection and tax & estate planning. Having joined our firm in 2023, she is passionate about making financial advice easy to access and understand as she delivers clear, jargon-free advice to all clients. Natalie earned the Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (QCF) in 2015, is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and has passed the CF8 exam in long-term care. She is currently working towards Chartered status.
On a typical Saturday, Natalie will be spending time with her fiancé Zac and son Alfie, playing football or netball, or doing some baking.
FINANCIAL ADVISER
Danielle Hanbridge
Danielle first joined the sector in 2017 as a Financial Planning Administrator before joining the Financial Options Group at the start of 2020. She benefits from excellent people skills and the ability to think on her feet – skills which she honed as a Cash Office Manager in the tourism industry. Danielle is passionate about delivering five-star service at each point of contact with clients, exemplifying the high value placed on client relationships across the firm.
Danielle loves spending time with family, her partner Nathan and dog Waffle. You can find her supporting the Salford Red Devils on a typical Saturday afternoon.
CLIENT SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Ashleigh Lynch
Ashleigh joined our team in 2021. With a law degree from UCLan and experience in the financial services industry spanning more than six years, she is committed to delivering the highest standard of client care as she addresses each client's individual needs swiftly and effectively. Along with great financial acumen, Ashleigh’s analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to make clients feel at ease when discussing personal financial matters make her a great fit for the Financial Options Group team.
Whether relaxing at home or on a night out, Ashleigh makes the most of her free time. She enjoys doting on her two dogs.
CLIENT SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Sophie Spencer
With a varied skillset which includes fluency in Spanish, and the ability to work to strict time constraints in a high-pressure environment, Sophie possesses professional experience in diverse sectors such as childcare and retail. She joined our team in 2021, having previously worked for a wealth and pension scheme management firm, where she developed in-depth knowledge of workplace pensions and automatic enrolment.
In her free time, Sophie enjoys yoga, cooking, watching films and taking city breaks.
CLIENT SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Bradley Fielding
Bringing significant experience in pension administration and adviser support across retirement planning and investment sectors, Bradley previously worked for two large pension providers as a "first port of call" for enquiries, before joining us as a Client Services Executive in 2022. Bradley is both diligent and quick-thinking, with strong social and analytical skills. In 2023, he successfully graduated from Quilter's Financial Adviser School (QFAS) with the Diploma in Financial Advice (DipFA). His next step is to transition to the role of financial adviser within one to two years.
In his free time, Bradley enjoys playing cricket, watching Aston Villa and going out for meals.
CLIENT SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Gaynor Stanley
Joining the Financial Options Group team in 2024, Gaynor’s previous roles include 10+ years as an office manager at a solicitors’ firm, overseeing its activities across three branches. With expertise spanning 35 years in the legal field – 20 of those in management – Gaynor applies her eclectic skill set to deliver the highest standard of client care here at the Financial Options Group. Articulate, personable and professional, she helps clients and staff alike feel valued and at ease.
When not in the office, Gaynor loves holidays/travel, reading, drinking coffee and eating cake.
CLIENT SERVICES EXECUTIVE &
OFFICE CO-ORDINATOR
Kirstie Woods
Joining us in the summer of 2024, Kirstie’s previous sector experience includes five years in administration and adviser support, over which she acquired wide-ranging competencies from account handling to data entry to training delivery. Today, her skills set includes confident navigation across numerous provider platforms, proficient communication and much more. With her competencies, skills and willingness to lend a helping hand with any project or task, Kirstie makes a valuable contribution to the Financial Options Group team.
On weekends, Kirstie enjoys curling up with a good book, spending time with her partner Lewis and taking her daughter on playdates.