Agora People
Chris Nicholls - Director
Having graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Economics and Accountancy Chris joined Strauss Turnbull a London stockbroker as a graduate trainee. Initially working in all the administration departments he then moved to the Dealing Desk where his role was to look after International Institutional clients. In the 1980's Chris also worked in the Leisure industry before training with his family PE & JP Nicholls Investment Management, a well established investment firm that had been operating since 1969. In 1986 Chris formed C P Nicholls Investment Management which specialised in providing Discretionary Investment Management for private clients. In 2003 together with Philip Bevan they created Agora Asset Management. In addition to holding the Investment Management Certificate Chris advises clients on, Pensions, Investments and taxation as well as Mortgages and Equity Release products. Chris is responsible for all the investment research, product research and FSA compliance.
Philip Bevan - Director
Philip graduated with a degree in Geology from the University of Southampton in 1994. He joined Scottish Life in September 1994 on their Graduate training scheme. Whilst at Scottish Life he also became involved in their Offshore subsidiary helping make their initial product launch highly successful. In January 1999 Philip was persuaded to join Scottish Equitable in a similar role and in September 2000 joined C P Nicholls Investment Management, launching Agora Asset Management with Chris in 2003.
Philip has taken specialist exams in respect of Investment Management, planning, taxation together with trust planning, complex pension planning and legislation. He holds the Advanced Financial Planning and Investment Management Certificates. Philip advises personal and commercial clients at Agora and is in charge of pension advice and research, also assisting Chris with the Investment Management side of the business.
Jean Nurse
Jean was the office manager for Arden Grange which Agora took over in 2003. She fulfils this role for Agora and is responsible for our client management system and the smooth functioning of our administration. This involves a very wide range of skills which she has developed over a long career in the Financial Services industry. Jean is responsible for the operation of all our SIPPS.
Kathryn Duffield
Kathryn recently joined Agora and provides us with her para-planning skills. She started in the industry in 1996, holds Financial Planning Certificates to reflect her in depth knowledge of financial products. She is responsible for our compliance, TCF and research requirements under the FSA.
Leigh Keywood
Leigh joined us in February 2008, having moved to the area from London, where she worked for Lloyds Private Banking in the Mayfair branch. In addition to her role as PA in our administration team Leigh is responsible for marketing and client liaison and is a qualified Mortgage Advisor.
Keri Beck
Keri joined us in May 2008 as PA to the directors. She has taken responsibility for all our internal projects, accounts and development. Her first project being the Church development and the logistics involved with the building and eventual move in January 2009.
Jonathan Dawson
Jonathan is our most recent addition to the team, bringing his experience of having worked for a reputable pension provider and Gissings who are a national employee benefits consultancy based in the city. Jonathan provides advice on a wide range of areas from financial protection right through to pension portfolio strategies. Throughout the financial planning process he provides bespoke advice which is tailored to every different client's need.
