Experts in wealth management transformation
Our leadership team have worked across wealth management throughout their individual careers, and collectively they offer a unique understanding to IFA business owners here at Verso. Their decades of wealth management expertise are committed and focused on your acquisition and future growth with us.
Our acquisitions team
Simon Redgrove
Managing Director of Verso
Simon has 30+ years sector experience, starting his career as a financial advisor before co-founding Cavanagh Group. He jointly led the acquisition and transformation of 3 businesses during his time at Cavanagh and served as Head of Advice for 3 years at Close Brothers Asset Management after they acquired Cavanagh and its encompassing businesses. Simon was the Chairman of MedPharm for 2 years, leading to the sale to Ampersand in March 2018. As the MD of Verso Group, he is responsible for delivering the transformation strategy and ensuring the effective integration and growth of acquired targets.
Frankie Mendoza
Group Chief Operating Officer
Frankie has 25+ years’ sector experience. He has worked as Operations Director for Legal & General’s self-directed platform, building the business to £5.5bn AUM in 18 months. He became part of the senior team that acquired Suffolk Life before joining Close Brothers Asset Management as Head of Strategic Relationships in 2012 and Munnypot thereafter in 2015. As Chief Operating Officer of the Verso Group Frankie is responsible for the integration of acquired businesses and unlocking value from the implementation of interventions.
Samantha Norbury
Assistant to Group Chief Executive Officer & Group Managing Director
Samantha has 25+ years’ experience as an Executive Assistant at C-Suite/Board level, with 20 years in the Financial Services and Insurance industries. She worked for many years with Andrew and Simon at the Cavanagh Group, supporting them during Cavanagh’s’ acquisition and transformation period and thereafter at Close Brothers Asset Management. Following a 7-year period at Marsh & McLennan, she is delighted to be back working closely with Andrew and Simon at Verso Wealth Management, supporting them in delivering the acquisition and transformation strategy.
Miles Joseph
Group Head of Transformation & Change
Miles has been leading strategy and executing transformational change in the wealth and investment management sector for over 25 years. His career has spanned director roles in global firms, Big 4 and boutique management consulting, start-ups and independent consulting. During the course of his career he has launched a number of digital investment propositions to the market, as well as helped firms move to modern and effective operating models. At Verso he is responsible for the integration of acquired firms and the creation of Verso’s differentiated market advice, investment and service proposition through people and platform.
Alasdair Gillingham
Group Chief Financial Officer
Alasdair has 20+ years’ experience in financial services, with a focus on wealth management and insurance. He began his career in financial advice, before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG. In 2010 he joined Close Brothers Asset Management and was part of the team which established Close Brothers’ wealth management business through acquisitions including the Cavanagh Group. He joined Verso as CFO on its inception in September 2021 and is looking forward to delivering the strategy and business plan, with responsibility for the financial systems and controls within the group.
Our executive team
Andrew Fay
Group Chief Executive Officer
Andrew has 30+ years sector experience co-founding Cavanagh Group, later acquired by Close Brothers in 2011. He jointly led acquisition and transformation of 3 new businesses whilst still at Cavanagh. He led Close Brothers Asset Management wealth management division for 3 years, including, as Chair of the Integration Board Responsible for the amalgamation of 4 businesses within the division plus the integration of 2 acquisitions. Andrew is the CEO of the Verso Group, responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading the rapid expansion through consolidation and transformation.
Simon Redgrove
Managing Director of Verso
Simon has 30+ years sector experience, starting his career as a financial advisor before co-founding Cavanagh Group. He jointly led the acquisition and transformation of 3 businesses during his time at Cavanagh and served as Head of Advice for 3 years at Close Brothers Asset Management after they acquired Cavanagh and its encompassing businesses. Simon was the Chairman of MedPharm for 2 years, leading to the sale to Ampersand in March 2018. As the MD of Verso Group, he is responsible for delivering the transformation strategy and ensuring the effective integration and growth of acquired targets.
Richard Griffiths
Group Head of Compliance
Richard has 40 + years industry experience, specialising in Compliance and AML for the last 22. Previously an adviser, Richard has been authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in these roles since 2003. His most recent roles were acting as a specialist compliance consultant for Paradigm Partner members, then in a project role taking an investment platform from concept to authorisation, remaining as director until 2019. Prior to joining Verso he worked in SJP Acquisition Services Ltd carrying out due diligence, new firm onboarding and then overseeing Compliance and AML as SMF16 and 17 for firms acquired by SJP Partners, so his experience dovetails neatly into Verso.
Frankie Mendoza
Group Chief Operating Officer
Frankie has 25+ years’ sector experience. He has worked as Operations Director for Legal & General’s self-directed platform, building the business to £5.5bn AUM in 18 months. He became part of the senior team that acquired Suffolk Life before joining Close Brothers Asset Management as Head of Strategic Relationships in 2012 and Munnypot thereafter in 2015. As Chief Operating Officer of the Verso Group Frankie is responsible for the integration of acquired businesses and unlocking value from the implementation of interventions.
