About
Us
Donna Watson
With over 40 years of experience in the financial industry, Donna Watson has established herself as a trusted expert in financial planning. Since becoming an Independent Financial Adviser in 1991, she has dedicated her career to empowering clients to achieve financial strength and confidence. As a CFP™ Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning), Donna enjoys all aspects of financial advice, including Inheritance Tax Planning, Pension Planning, and Investment strategies.
Outside of her professional life, Donna is married to Adrian and is a proud mother of two, with her son Stuart now working in the family business. Deeply involved in her community, Donna contributes to Portstewart Baptist Church and is passionate about mission work. She has spent time in Nigeria at Holley Memorial Hospital and is actively engaged with Waakisa Ministries (NI) in Uganda.
Qualificiations
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning DipPFS.
Certificate in Mortgage Advice Cert CII (MP).
CISI Chartered Member (CFPTM Chartered MCSI)
CFP™ Chartered Fellow (Financial Planning)
Simon McHenry
Simon has extensive experience in Financial Services, starting his career with Standard Life before advising high-net-worth and business clients at Northern Bank and First Trust Bank. In 2013, he joined Lodge Financial Advice as a self-employed adviser, specializing in wealth creation, wealth protection, and tax-saving strategies. Simon is a highly valued team member.
He is married to Dawn and has two daughters.
Qualifications
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning DipPFS.
Andrew Gibson
Andrew Gibson is a trusted financial planner in the advanced stages of achieving chartered status, reflecting his extensive knowledge and commitment to excellence. Passionate about helping clients build, protect, and preserve their wealth, Andrew develops bespoke strategies to help create financial security for individuals, families, and businesses. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Hazel, and their three daughters, and values his church, family, and friends.
Qualifications
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning DipPFS.
Certificate in Mortgage Advice Cert CII (MP).
Stuart Watson
Since joining Lodge Financial in 2013 as a financial administrator, Stuart has specialised in mortgages and protection/life insurance, helping his clients navigate their financial journeys with confidence. Stuart is passionate about ensuring that each client he works with feels informed and empowered in their decisions and helps them put plans into place to make sure their family is protected.
Stuart is currently studying towards his LIBF DipFA Diploma for Financial Advisors and hopes to complete this in coming months.
Outside of work, Stuart loves to travel with his wife and explore new places, Spending time socialising with friends and watching sport.
Qualifications
CII Level 3 Award in Financial Administration.
Certificate in Mortgage Advice Cert CII (MP).
Timothy McCollum
Timothy began working in financial services in 2018 and joined Lodge Financial in 2023 as a Financial Adviser. Achieving his Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Advice in 2020, he is now studying towards Chartered Financial Planning status. He specialises in helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals with tailored, expert advice.
Timothy is actively involved with his local church and enjoys farming, playing golf and spending time with family. He is married with two young children who enjoy getting books read to them. He looks forward to helping you navigate your financial journey through ensuring every step is clear, manageable, and aligned with your goals.
Qualifications
Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers DipFA
Samuel Hanna
Samuel Hanna, a dedicated Financial Planner, has quickly established himself in the field since starting in 2022. Holding a Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, he is now pursuing Chartered Financial Planning Status. Samuel provides tailored advice in wealth creation, protection, and tax-saving strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals.
Outside work, he enjoys time with his wife and their two German Shepherds, plays football, and restores classic cars. Samuel is committed to empowering clients to make informed financial decisions for a secure future.
Deborah Knowles
With nearly 20 years of experience in management accounts, I have developed a strong skill set in financial analysis, reporting, and strategic planning. I joined Lodge Financial Advice Ltd in August 2021, where I have been contributing to enhancing financial performance and driving informed decision-making within the organization.
Outside of work, I am a devoted wife and mother, cherishing quality time with my young family. I am also passionate about keeping fit, believing that a healthy lifestyle is key to achieving both personal and professional success. I strive to inspire my children to pursue their passions while emphasizing the importance of well-being.
Mandy Brownlow
Mandy is a dedicated professional at Lodge Financial Advice, where she began her journey as a receptionist in September 2022. Since then, she has advanced to the role of Financial Administrator, showcasing her commitment to growth and excellence in the financial services industry. Mandy thrives on building relationships and loves meeting and greeting clients, ensuring they feel valued and supported. With a passion for helping others, she plays a key role in delivering exceptional service to clients at Lodge Financial Advice.
Outside of work, Mandy enjoys a fulfilling family life with her husband, Kyle. Together, they have five children and two grandchildren, who bring joy and adventure to their lives. In her free time, Mandy loves walking, socializing with friends, going to the cinema, and cherishing moments spent with her grandchildren.
Maxine Smyth
Maxine joined Lodge Financial Advice in May 2024 after graduating from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in Finance. She is currently pursuing her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning to further enhance her expertise in the field. Outside of work, Maxine enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the gym, and lending a helping hand on the family farm.
‘We Plan you prosper’
As Benjamin Franklin once quoted ‘’If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail‘.
I do not believe any of us plan to fail, but sometimes our priorities, our time management and our self-discipline get in the way of achieving our plan which can make an amazing difference between a prosperous outcome and a tragic loss.
A recent study has revealed that people who seek the advice from an independent financial adviser (IFA) are on average £40,000 better off than those who don’t do this. The research has come from leading think-tank the International Longevity Centre, who have stated that both the ‘affluent’ group – wealthier people more likely to own their own homes and have degree-level education – and the ‘just getting by’ group – less wealthy people likely to be living in rented accommodation and have lower levels of education – benefit similarly from the financial advice they seek.
The real benefit of working with a Financial Adviser is to avoid expensive mistakes. It is less about picking the best funds and more about making smart decisions in all aspects of your money.
- Asset Allocation
Getting the right ‘mix’ of investments is the most important investment decision. How much should you invest in equities, bonds, cash and the like? Invest too cautiously and you won’t get the returns you need. Invest too aggressively and you’ll lose sleep at night.
We aim to help you define your objectives for the investment. We will create a well thought out investment plan, identifying the right mix of investments for you. This ensures that you take the right level of risk and are best placed to achieve the returns you need.
- Portfolio Rebalancing
To maintain the right mix of investments, we at Lodge Financial have introduced our clients to a Discretionary Fund which gives our clients a good mix of investments diversifying their portfolio and keeping them within their risk profile. However, we need to make sure our funds are delivering the best returns and sometimes changes have to be made.
At Lodge Financial, we review each individual portfolio objectively and make changes when required. This ensures that you maintain the right mix of investments and don’t take too much risk.
- Cost Management
In most areas of life, you get what you pay for. If you pay more, you get more. But in the world of investing, you get what you don’t pay for. When you think about it, it makes sense. Costs matter, because every pound you pay in costs eats into your future returns.
Investing with Lodge Financial can reduce your charges by our extensive research of the market and selecting funds that are competitively priced as well as giving a good return.
- Investor Coaching
Investing can provoke strong emotions. When our investments fall by 20%, we panic. When our investments rise by 20%, we celebrate.
The problem is, we’re all human. We’re hard-wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure. So we sell our investments when they fall, and we buy them when they rise.
At Lodge Financial, we will act as a voice of reason between you and an expensive mistake. We will provide sound, objective advice, helping you stick to the plan and remain invested.
- Tax Management
Taxes can be a major drag on your investment returns. Selecting the right ‘tax wrapper’ is just as important as selecting the right investment strategy.
One of our key factors in Investment Planning is the bespoke service you will receive as we will help you work out which accounts are right for you based on your tax position. We will consider the tax rate you pay now and consider the tax implications when you come to withdraw the money.
- Withdrawal Strategy
How you withdraw money from your investments can have a big impact on your overall return. Which account should you withdraw from? Which investments should you sell?
At Lodge Financial we will create a withdrawal strategy for your investments. This ensures that withdrawals are as tax-efficient as possible and that you maintain the right mix of investments.
- Income Management
Your investments will produce income, such as dividends. Unless reinvested, this money will sit idle, producing no return. You may also need to withdraw some income from the portfolio.
We believe that every pound should be used in creating as much capital growth as possible which is why we will reinvest any income the portfolio provides. We will also determine which investments are sold when you need to withdraw money.
This is where Lodge Financial Advice can help…..
‘We do the planning and you will do the prospering’.
Hours
Mon-Thur 9-1pm 1.45-5pm
Friday 9-1pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Phone
(028) 7034 4222
Address
9 Lodge Rd, Coleraine BT52 1LU
info@lodgefinancial.co.uk