Meet The Team
We are committed to providing you with a personalised service, which will give you peace of mind that your finances are in very safe hands.
Gareth Elliott
Managing Director
Owner of the business and qualified Financial Planner. I have a strong passion for Retirement Planning and Investments. I strive to deliver the best experience for my clients. I am focused on the development of my team here at Newbridge as I believe that a strong team sets us apart in delivering excellence in client experience. We are the number one rated financial advisory firm in the Belfast area on Vouched for (the online referral tool). We believe that this is due to our outstanding reputation for client services and crucially individual reviews from clients that we have conducted business with.
The benefits of this ethos and focus on our team has been infinitely positive. One of the goals of Newbridge Financial Planning has been to recruit and develop young people in order to provide them with a chance to develop themselves and to have a career within financial services.
In my spare time I am a big fan of the Belfast Giants and heading out on my motorbike when weather permits.
Tracey McIntosh
Practice Manager / Senior Paraplanner
As Practice Manager here at Newbridge, supporting the Managing Director Gareth Elliott, I look after the day to day running of our busy office and am responsible for ensuring our clients are at the heart of everything we do, from recruiting the right people, team development and training and most importantly providing an exceptional service and client experience. I manage, review and closely monitor our bespoke Newbridge Investment Portfolios, to make sure our clients’ funds are working hard for them.
I am also the Senior Paraplanner at Newbridge, supervising our team of experienced and talented paraplanners, giving us the opportunity to use and build on existing experience and knowledge to simplify solutions and deliver peace of mind for our clients.
I have almost 20 years financial services experience and have worked for several financial firms throughout my career. Newbridge stands apart and has demonstrated a level of dedication to our clients, professionalism and team spirit that is unrivalled. I thoroughly enjoy being part of this team, working together to achieve and maintain our clients’ financial goals.
I hold the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Certificate in Life & Pensions, Certificate in Financial Services Operations, and Awards in Financial Services Administration (Life & Pensions). I am currently working towards the Diploma in Financial Planning, specialising in Retirement Planning and Supervision in a Regulatory Environment. I have also recently achieved the ILM Certificate in Leadership and Management through Belfast Metropolitan College. I keen to begin my Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management in the near future.
I am a mother of 16 and 5-year- old boys, so I don’t have much ‘spare time’ between family life and studying. I do enjoy relaxing with a good book, walks by the sea and the good company of friends and family.
Amanda Thompson
Paraplanner
I have worked in Financial Services for a number of years starting as a Personal Banker with Northern Bank a little over 20 years ago. I have always worked closely with all of my clients, they are the most important part of my job.
I am delighted to say that I am now part of the Paraplanning team with Newbridge Financial Planning. I was attracted to Newbridge for many reasons, the professionalism, the talent and expertise of the whole team but what impressed me most was how important their clients are. They are placed at the heart of everything and this is my number one priority too.
As a Paraplanner my role allows me to use the skills I have acquired over many years to research the opportunities available from the whole of the market to ensure we get the best solution for our clients needs, objectives and risk preference.
Having achieved QCF Level 4 Diploma I am hoping to continue to study and achieve chartered status.
Julie Hansen
Mortgage Adviser
I have worked in financial services for 25 years. I started my career in Progressive Building Society and have worked for several financial adviser firms. I also had my own mortgage and insurance business.
I have experience in all financial services products, mortgages, insurances, pension and investments.
I currently work as a mortgage adviser. I can deal with all types of mortgages ie purchases, remortgages, second homes and buy to lets. I have obtained my Certificate in Financial Advice (CEfa), Certificate in Mortgage Advice (CEmap) and my R05 (Diploma in Protection). In my spare time I go to the gym and like to socialise with family and friends.
I enjoy working for Newbridge Financial Planning as it is an independent financial advisory firm which is modern and friendly. It continues to grow and keep up with current trends in the industry which is constantly changing. I feel I can use my knowledge, skills and experience in adding value to the Newbridge Team.
Rebecca Adams
Trainee Mortgage Adviser/Paraplanner
I am currently training to be a mortgage adviser at Newbridge Financial Planning Ltd, and am responsible for ensuring our clients are provided with high levels of customer service throughout the client’s experience.
My background is focused mainly within customer services, and I have now been working within the financial services sector for almost three years, building up my technical knowledge and utilising my existing customer relationship management skills.
I am keen to develop my technical knowledge and am currently on the journey to obtaining my Certificate in Mortgage advice. Newbridge Financial Planning Ltd is supporting me through my knowledge and career development, and I have recently passed my CF6 exam and I am preparing for my final exam to become qualified. I am delighted to be part of a team that places such a focus on development and training for the benefit of their clients.
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym and focusing my time on my studies.
Tammy McAlpine
PA to Managing Director
As PA to the Managing Director, I am the first point of contact; from initial meeting through the ongoing relationship, managing Gareth’s diary – ensuring our clients are at the heart of everything we do.
In addition to my main role, I work alongside the Newbridge Team to manage our social media presence as well as promotion via publications and public events. I enjoy working with organisations and charities to further Newbridge’s Corporate Responsibility profile, as well as with fellow business in support of local SMEs.
My career to date has focused strongly on administrative and client support, including the development and coordination of projects and training as well as social, academic and professional events.
Outside of work, I am active in the small business community; attending various artisan markets throughout the year. I am also part of a voluntary committee for my home town’s local community group; a registered charity who’s aim is to develop and support a spirit of community as well as create a sense of pride in the town which participants live and work. In my spare time, I enjoy being at home with my husband, grown son and three dogs. I am an avid reader of literary fiction and a music enthusiast, with a life-long interest in equestrian activities.
Zara Davis
Financial Planner
I started in Financial Services over ten years ago after completing a degree in Business Studies. I went on to obtain a Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice and Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.
Newbridge Financial Planning recognise the importance of further studies and are currently supporting me on my journey to becoming chartered.
I am passionate about delivering a high quality service and was delighted to have the opportunity to join Newbridge Financial Planning. From the outset I could see the clients are at the heart of the business, to be part of this team means a commitment to a professional, transparent and efficient service that helps clients meet their life goals, dreams and ambitions.
In my spare time I enjoy being at home with my husband, young child and our family dog. I also enjoy CrossFit.
Jan Calwell
Financial Services Administrator
As a financial services administrator, my main role is to provide administrative support to the practice manager as well as to the wider Newbridge team.
My duties include but are not limited to; the management of Newbridge Financial Planning’s client tracking system, along with liaising with our various pension, protection and investment providers. This ensures that our wide client base is kept up to date with any changes to their ongoing business and are kept informed as their cases progress.
Alongside my main duties, I offer support to the protection Advisers; carrying out research for the preparation of personal and corporate cases.
I have been working in the financial services industry for over 4 years. In this time, I have gained experience within Pensions and investments. I look forward to expanding my knowledge and progressing through the variety of training offered alongside the Newbridge team.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing Tag rugby and spending time with my friends and family.
Suzanne Robb
Paraplanner
As a Paraplanner, my main duties include liaising with companies, regarding their current product offering and suitability for our clients; working alongside our team of advisers to identify suitable solutions, to meet client need.
My role allows me to work alongside the whole Newbridge team; from carrying out research for advisers through to support for the administrative team, as well as liaising directly with our clients.
My career in financial services began in 2003, after achieving my Financial Planning Certificates and MAQ exam. I gained extensive experience within an advisory firm, before specialising in mortgage and insurance products. As my knowledge and experience increased, I began focusing on investment and pensions, which led to my becoming a paraplanner in 2011.
I very much look forward to expanding my knowledge further with Newbridge.
When I’m not working I enjoy going to the gym, walking my dogs and spending time with my family.
Odhran Burke
Trainee Paraplanner
I am a trainee paraplanner at Newbridge Financial Planning Ltd and am responsible for assisting with the paraplanning duties that are carried out for our clients.
My background is focused mainly within a client relationship building capacity, and I have now been working within the financial services sector for almost a year, building up my technical knowledge and utilising my existing customer relationship management skills.
I am keen to develop my technical knowledge and am currently on the journey to obtaining my Certificate in Financial Services. Newbridge Financial Planning Ltd is supporting me through my knowledge and career development and I am delighted to be part of a team that places such a focus on development and training for the benefit of their clients.
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, watching sport and I am getting married next summer.