Specialist Independent Financial Planning for the Veterinary Profession
About the Team
Benjamin Rees, Director
Ben has over 15 years’ experience in the financial planning and investment management profession, starting his career at Barclays Wealth and then Barclays Financial Planning, before establishing our principal company Opus in 2008.
As a dual qualified investment manager and Chartered Financial Planner, Ben is well placed to lead the development of DFM Financial Planning and to maintain a strong culture of compliance, consistency and transparency.
Ben has an undergraduate degree in Law and an MSc in Economics from Birmingham University, is a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the PFS and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments.
David Smith, Director
David qualified as an adviser in 1993 and joined DFM Financial Planning Ltd, then known as Dickinsons Financial Management Ltd, in 1998. He then left in 2000 to work in the financial services divisions of national accountancy and stock broking firms.
In 2010, David returned to Dickinsons to focus exclusively on the veterinary profession, and since 2018 under the new brand of DFM. David has been critical to the development and growth of DFM and took a key role in the rebranding and re-launch of the firm.
David is a competitive runner and triathlete.
Sarah Nicholls, Operations Manager
Sarah is a Shareholder and acts as Operations Manager, as well as PA to the Directors.
She has many years’ experience in the financial services industry and first joined us in 1999, when we were known as Dickinsons Ltd.
Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and walking her dogs Ruby and Poppy.
Keith Dickinson, Consultant
Keith is a Geography graduate from UCL who has operated in veterinary insurance and finance for over 30 years. He has supported the veterinary industry avidly during that time with financial and professional initiatives.
He is a keen cyclist with a passion for golf, cricket and football.
Julie Thomas, Paraplanner
Julie has over twenty years industry experience, initially as an administrator and then later as a self-employed financial adviser. Julie joined Dickinsons Financial Management Ltd as an administrator in 2014, moving over to DFM in 2018 and is currently studying for her paraplanning qualifications.
Away from the office, Julie’s time is occupied by her family and two cats. She is a keen swimmer and enjoys watching rugby and speedway.
Alex Langdon, Administrator
With a degree in Economics, Alex began his career with Dickinsons Financial Management Ltd in 2010. He then went on to complete his Diploma in Financial Planning.
Outside of the office Alex enjoys cycling.
Karen Philpott, Finance Administrator
Karen joined us in 2008 as the company’s extremely valued financial administrator. She lives locally and has many years’ experience in finance and administrative positions.
Away from the office Karen enjoys fine dining, theatre and spending time with her family.
Rachel Page, Paraplanner
Rachel joined DFM in November 2020 having been in the financial services sector for over 30 years and more recently attaining her Diploma in Financial Planning.
Outside of work, Rachel is a keen bell ringer and also enjoys walks in the countryside, reading and piano playing.