Meet the team: Chris Thorp, Sarah Rowson, and Andy Thorp

13 October 2023

In the third instalment of our meet the team feature, keep reading to get to know three valued Depledge team members: Andy Thorp, Sarah Rowson, and Chris Thorp.

Andy Thorp

What’s your role here at Depledge?

I’m a client and paraplanning support administrator. I work alongside the paraplanning team to help maintain client relationships and create positive outcomes for all involved, providing research and administrative support.

How did you first get into financial services?

I’ve always been interested in pursuing a career in financial services. After graduating from Cardiff University, I had the opportunity to get started in financial planning and haven’t looked back since.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I am really enjoying building my own knowledge of investments and learning about the products available to clients that can help them achieve their financial goals.

I’m also enrolled in the AHSL Adviser Academy, and am studying towards my Regulated Diploma in Financial Planning at the moment, which I’m thoroughly enjoying.

What are your hobbies outside of work, and what would your dream job be?

Outside of work I have a very keen interest in sports and spend most of my weekends following Manchester City football team, and playing golf. My dream job would be a professional golfer.

Sarah Rowson

What’s your role here at Depledge?

I’m a paraplanner, meaning I support financial planners in researching and analysing suitable products and investments, alongside producing calculations, suitability reports, and cashflow analysis.

How did you first get into financial services?

I started my career in financial services at RBS Group more than 18 years ago. I gained plenty of experience during my time at Coutts Bank, specialising in working with ultra high net worth clients, as well as finding my feet in various roles within independent financial advice firms.

I now have more than seven years’ experience as a paraplanner, and am also working towards completing my Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning with the aim of becoming a financial planner in future.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I’m a problem solver, so I love that element of paraplanning. It’s great to have that overarching goal, to help clients meet their long-term objectives; this motivates me to keep pushing at difficult problems.

What are your hobbies outside of work, and what would your dream job be?

I enjoy spending most of my spare time with my two children. My main hobby is exercise, especially long-distance running (only when the weather is nice!).

Rather than a “dream job”, I’d love to spend my time volunteering for mental health charities, particularly in suicide prevention. This is something that has touched our family more than once in the last 10 years, and there are some fantastic charities out there who do amazing work.

Chris Thorp

What’s your role here at Depledge?

I am a paraplanner. My primary responsibility is to research and write suitability reports for our financial planners and clients.

How did you first get into financial services?

It was always my intention to join the financial services profession after university. I began my career working for an independent financial advice (IFA) practice that specialised in defined benefit (DB) pension transfers, before moving to Depledge to pursue a career in holistic advice.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

In my current position I enjoy the problem-solving element of the role. There are many issues that can arise while working on any specific case, and I enjoy finding solutions and liaising with our financial planners to help ensure favourable outcomes for our clients.

What are your interests outside of work, and what would your dream job be?

Outside of work I enjoy following a wide range of sports, which include football, golf, and Formula 1. On weekends I try to play as much golf as I can and enjoy socialising with my friends. My dream job would be Head Scout for Manchester City!