It was important my money matched my values, and Depledge made that possible
Clare Morgan
Past to present
1949
Frank Depledge's business
Back in the 1940s, Prince & Fletcher Limited, was incorporated in the north-west by Mr Prince and Mrs Fletcher. The firm manufactured medical and orthopaedic equipment.
1950s
Making the move
Frank Depledge crossed the Pennines from Yorkshire, and bought the Prince & Fletcher business. He settled in Stockport and grew the business, which under his leadership employed more than 100 people in a factory in Blackfriars, Salford.
1960s
In the family
Two employees of Prince & Fletcher were Jean Depledge, Frank’s daughter, and Ronald Day, Harry Prince’s nephew. The two married, and later had two children: Andrew and Julie Day.
Ronald, in particular, had led a very interesting life before joining Prince & Fletcher. He was born in 1923, and fought with the RAF as a Spitfire engineer during the second world war, being stationed in Biggin Hill, Burma, Singapore, India, and South Africa.
1970s
Stories to tell
Jean and Ronald continued to work at Prince & Fletcher, both later becoming company directors. Andrew and Julie remember the business being a constant topic of conversation around the family dinner table. Their garage at home was full of specialist equipment, such as a pair of trainers for a client with size 25 feet!
1980s
A helping hand
To help him achieve the financial challenge of a comfortable retirement, Ronald enlisted the help of an independent financial adviser called Tony Newman from the Joseph Nelson Group. Tony subsequently helped Frank Depledge with his retirement plans as well.
1990s
A career begins
Andrew completed a law degree and a legal diploma, and was then presented with the opportunity to join Tony at the Joseph Nelson Group. Despite some interesting legal offers, Andrew decided to embark on a journey into financial services, beginning in 1996.
2000s
Finance first
Andrew held various roles at the Joseph Nelson Group, which, through mergers and acquisitions, became Nelson Money Managers. Andrew moved to Henry Cooke Lumsden and then joined HSBC Actuaries and Consultants Ltd, where Andrew met and worked with both Andrea Dingsdale and Mike Webb, and the three would continue to work together at LIFT Financial.
Later this decade, Andrew became a Chartered financial planner, and subsequently a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
2013
Something new
Aged 39, Andrew founded Depledge Strategic Wealth Management Ltd. The company name was taken from the surname of Andrew’s grandfather, who he’d seen working hard to build a successful business.
Together with Andrea and Mike, Andrew established the firm in Manchester’s Carrington Business Park. The simple aim was to grow a company synonymous with quality advice, and become a recognised brand in the region, and success soon followed.
2014
A stamp of authority
Depledge became a Chartered firm this year, an incredibly proud moment in the company’s history and one that continues to define us today.
2015
Growing fast
Michael Meech joined as the company’s second financial planner. He was later replaced by Adrian Mahon, who remained with the business until his retirement in 2024.
2017
A new home
Depledge moved to Warren Bruce Court, less than four miles from the old Prince & Fletcher factory!
That same year, Daniel Gordon joined the business, and worked his way up from back-office roles to become a financial planner.
Dan is now married to Andrea’s daughter, who herself worked for Depledge from 2016 to 2018 – a further family connection
2020
Fresh faces
This year, we became a BS 8577 accredited firm.
Also, financial planner Ben Lancaster joined the business, later being replaced by Lorraine Cregg in 2024, a Chartered financial planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.
2021
Strings to our bow
We proudly became an Accredited Financial Planning Firm™ thanks to recognition from the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI).
In the same year, we were named Retirement Advisers of the Year by Moneyfacts. Separately, Andrew qualified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.
2022
Well done Daniel
Daniel qualified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® this year. He’d later become a Chartered financial planner as well.
2024
Award-winning
Professional Adviser awarded us their Retirement Initiative Award. The company was also shortlisted by the CISI as a Firm of the Year.
Edward Ainley became our fourth financial planner, and later became a Chartered financial planner in 2025.
Also, Andrea’s son Callum joined as a client support administrator, having left the RAF.
2025
Looking ahead
Today, the family connection continues, with Andrew’s son Thomas helping out in between his studies at Bath University.
The future’s bright!
Our clients speak
Every member of the Depledge team truly cares for our clients, but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s our feedback for all to see.
100
of clients were satisfied that we understood their needs, goals, aspirations, and objectives.
99.15
of clients believe that working with us has helped or will help them achieve their financial goals.
99.05
of clients who answered definitively would recommend us to their friends, family, or colleagues.
Rated and reviewed
VouchedFor is the UK’s leading independent review site for financial professionals. It makes us so proud to have hundreds of positive reviews from happy clients of all backgrounds. That’s a seal of approval that lets you know you can always count on us for sound, sensible advice.
