Tony Wellby

Tony Wellby, Chartered Financial Planner

I co-founded Heronsgate Capital after 25 years in the industry. Most recently I was in a client-facing role with managerial responsibilities where I advised clients and developed the business advisers. As Board Director, I followed my interest in technology to progress the firm’s innovation.

I started my career at a bank before moving into my specialism as a financial adviser. After a stint in China, I came back to the UK where I’ve remained ever since.

I enjoy understanding clients plans, motivations and aspirations – adding challenge where necessary to ensure clients achieve their core objectives.

I am a Chartered Financial Planner, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics, Maths, Statistics and Computing.

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Christopher Sexton

Christopher Sexton

After 32 years in investment management in various roles, the decision to co-found Heronsgate Capital was a natural next step.  My responsibilities have encompassed, to varying degrees, investment strategy, asset allocation, fund management and equity research.  First and foremost, however, I consider myself an economist, interpreting macro- and microeconomic developments to gain insights used in portfolio construction and security selection.

My career began at a life company, before spending 14 years as a fund manager and equity analyst at a major UK pension fund. Immediately prior to co-founding Heronsgate, I was an investment director at a UK wealth manager where I generated consistently strong returns for clients, most notably in the lead up and aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis.

My experience is supported by my CFA UK qualification and a first-class degree in economics.

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Sarah Evans

Sarah Evans

I am an experienced NED having worked across several different sectors, each with an outstanding record of customer service. I advise Heronsgate Capital on strategic and propositional development and help ensure the team always works in the best interests of its clients.

Currently, I am also Chairman of the Wine Society and a Trustee of East Anglican Air Ambulance, having formerly been a Partner at EY and Chairman of Ipswich Building Society.

I advise from my home on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border where I also compete in a local netball league and pursue my keen interest in horse riding.

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Gareth Parsons

Gareth Parsons, Chartered Financial Planner

Before joining Heronsgate Capital in March 2021, I spent 18 years working with high-net-worth clients across a range of industries. Most recently, I was a Director and Executive Committee Member at a major UK wealth manager where I gained a reputation for building trusted relationships, providing expert counsel and peace of mind.

I am particularly passionate about financial wellbeing, aligning clients’ wealth with their values and creating long-term intergenerational plans for families.

I am a member of the Heronsgate Capital Investment Committee, a Chartered Financial Planner and graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Biochemistry.

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Rachael Ott

I’ve spent over 20 years supporting businesses to achieve optimal commercial outcomes whilst achieving compliance best practice, in senior legal and commercial roles across a range of industries.

Prior to joining Heronsgate at its inception, I was General Counsel with responsibility for commercial oversight at ESPA International. I’ve also held senior legal positions at Bravura Solutions, a financial services technology provider and SITA, a provider of technology solutions to the airline industry. As a Solicitor, I worked in private practice for leading US law firms in London, Washington and Shanghai, as well as the OECD in Paris. I hold an LLB from Leeds University and an LLM from UCL SOAS.

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John Watson, Chartered Accountant

I’ve held multiple Directorships and FCA-controlled functions in my 20 years in financial services, most recently as UK Group Finance Director at IFG Group plc where my direct reports included the heads of Risk, Compliance, IT, Platform and HR.

I’ve also overseen various M&A transactions including the acquisitions of James Hay from Santander, Saunderson House by IFG and the sale of Delta Financial Systems to Bravura.

I am CEO of CFO & More, a provider of financial, risk and governance oversight to the financial services, fintech and property sectors. CFO & More also specializes in leading M&A transactions. I’m also a NED of Sandringham Financial Partners Ltd, and a Director of Verve Group Limited.

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I was admitted to ICAS in 1991. Any free time I have is spent following Scotland in their football endeavours, which is far less depressing than it sounds!

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Colin Gellatly, Chartered Financial Analyst

I began my City career in 2005 as a graduate under the watchful eye of Chris Sexton, so joining the investment team at Heronsgate Capital has been an obvious and pleasingly neat return to my roots.

Prior to joining the partnership, I spent close to a decade at the investment arm of one of the UK’s largest financial advice networks, latterly as Deputy Chief Investment Officer and then Chief Investment Strategist. I focused on adding value to discretionary portfolios, developing and implementing the tactical asset allocation approach – an approach underpinned by wide-ranging economic and market research. Alongside this, I was heavily involved in fund manager selection and the evolution of the investment proposition.

I earned an MA(Hons) in economic history at the University of Edinburgh and followed up by qualifying as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

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Ashley Pontiggia

Ashley Pontiggia, Chartered Financial Planner

I’ve been managing the wealth of high-net-worth clients since 2011, advising them on pensions, tax and investments. Before I joined Heronsgate Capital, I was at a major UK wealth manager where I worked collegiately with a clients’ range of advisers and played a pivotal role in overseeing their risk controls, financial metrics and workflow management.

Simplicity is key, in my opinion, and I try to streamline my clients’ financial affairs as much as I can. By working closely together, we can build the right financial plan to suit every life stage.

I am a Chartered Financial Planner and graduated from the University of Oxford with a first-class master’s degree in Chemistry. In my spare time, I like to explore European cities (particularly in Italy) and enjoy trying (and most often failing) to emulate fine-dining cuisine at home.

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Kate Burton

Kate Burton, Chartered Financial Planner

After seven years at a major UK wealth manager prior to joining Heronsgate Capital in 2020, I’ve developed a passion for building strong relationships with my clients. I use this insight to build and implement targeted wealth and investment plans for my clients at Heronsgate Capital.

I’m a Chartered Financial Planner and hold a degree in Economics from the University of Birmingham.

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Dan Mackenzie

Dan Mackenzie, Chartered Financial Planner

At Heronsgate Capital, I work closely with our clients to construct strategic financial plans, underpinned by my technical expertise in taxation and investments, to help realise their financial goals throughout various life stages.

I am a Chartered Financial Planner with over 10 years of experience working with high-net-worth clients across a range of professions.  I most enjoy building trusted relationships with clients and providing them with peace of mind by bringing confidence and simplicity to their financial affairs.

At the weekend, I generally try to offset my love of food with playing and watching golf and football.

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