Meet the Team

Matthew started his career in financial services at the age of 25 when he joined Britannic Assurance as a home service agent.

After a period of time he decided to become an Independent Financial Adviser and joined Accountancy Financial Services.

Working for them as an Independent Adviser he witnessed many changes in the financial services industry and gained the knowledge and experience to be able to give clients sound investment advice on all pension, protection and investment matters

In early 2000 Accountancy Financial Services were bought by Cotswold Financial Services, Matthew continued until early 2001 when he was then given the opportunity along with his business partner, Stuart Startup to buy into Cotswolds. After 5 years together, along with a determined and committed team Cotswold Independent Financial Services is a prosperous and thriving business focusing on client’s individual needs and offering an ongoing service that can assure clients that they will be always guided through the stormy waters that is financial planning.

When Matthew is away from the office he enjoy’s spending time with his wife and two children, watching rugby, playing golf and tinkering with his Vespa T5 Scooter.

Stuart is a Director and Co-Owner of CIFS and specialises in Retirement Planning. He advises on Estate Planning and looks after many clients Inheritance Tax needs.

Stuart also helps many clients of CIFS with their Wills to ensure that their wishes after death will actually be met. In addition he deals with the Office of Public Guardian on behalf of clients to ensure that Power of Attorneys are completed and processed correctly.

Stuart also heads up the compliance function within the business to ensure all CIFS advisers adhere to strict codes of conduct. With over 20 years’ experience since joining the industry in 1999, Stuart has a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is working towards Chartered status.

Outside of work, Stuart spends time with his family including holidays in the sun and watching and playing as many sports as possible. Stuart is a keen golfer and enjoys playing with his 2 grown up sons. Coming from New Zealand, he is a keen follower of the All Blacks.

Adam J Rudnicki is Diploma Qualified, a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Personal Finance Society and fully adheres to their ethical codes of conduct.

He provides Holistic Financial Planning, and specialises in Equity Release and Immediate Care fees planning.

Adam has been working in financial planning since 1987. He joined Cotswold Financial Services in 2007, bringing his 29 years worth of knowledge and experience with him.

He is married to Linda and they have been together for over 30 years. His favourite pastime is coarse fishing and he regularly organises and takes part in fishing competitions. He also has a passion for DIY and enjoys repairing things around the home.

Steve has over twenty-five years experience working in financial planning, advising mostly corporate clients such as HSBC and Barclays, as well as smaller businesses.

Much of Steve’s work has centred around employer pension schemes and he has been heavily involved in helping employers in the challenging arena of auto enrolment pensions currently being thrust upon them. A completely comprehensive, user-friendly solution has been created and run by Steve, who has been successfully setting up schemes for national companies with up to 1 000 employees, as well as for small local businesses.

When not busy taking care of clients, Steve enjoys motor sports, fixing cars and travelling around the country to see his favourite rock bands.

Robert is a Chartered adviser with over 10 years’ experience as an Adviser. Over his career, he has advised clients in various backgrounds including employees of Santander, Legal & General and AXA .

He has advised on a broad range of areas both on a personal and corporate level. He enjoys meeting clients and understanding their personal situation and then developing a plan to help them achieve their objectives.

He is married with two little boys that keep him busy. In his spare time he is a keen runner and a member of his local running club. Robert enjoys watching football and most sports.

Saime is a Diploma Qualified Financial Adviser and has worked in the financial world since 2002. She started her career in retail banking and successfully held advisory roles in Investment, Protection, Pension, Inheritance Tax Planning, Tax Planning and Mortgages.

Since 2013 Saime has worked as an Independent Financial Adviser. Prior to working in financial services Saime had experience in recruitment, direct sales, translation and teaching.

Saime has a flexible approach to her work; going that extra mile to meet her client’s needs and always trying to do the best for them. She is appreciated by both her clients and the organisations she worked in. Her strong ethical values are at the core of her work and personal life. Believing that trust is at the centre of the relationship between her and her clients, she has a straightforward approach which enables her to build and sustain long term relationships with the clients. Saime’s client bank has been built up purely based on recommendations from her clients to their friends and family members.

Paul has been in the Financial Service Profession since August 1988 and is diploma qualified.

As a financial planner Paul understands that every individual client and business is unique so he prides himself on taking time to understand their goals and objectives. Based on this principle he can build strong, trusting and lasting relationships with his clients.

Your financial circumstances are unique so to ensure his advice is truly valuable it must be based on a comprehensive and detailed overview of your financial circumstances and how these fit with your goals and aspirations. Once he has a clear understanding he helps his clients formulate and maintain a clear financial plan and strategy to make the most of their hard earned money and give them financial peace of mind.

Outside of work Paul’s family take up the majority of his spare time but when given the chance Paul enjoys keeping fit, most sports and socialising with friends and family.

Michelle supports the compliance team to ensure the business adheres to all the regulatory requirements.

In addition to the compliance duties, Michelle also helps with the drafting of clients Wills and Power of Attorney documents. As a former Registration Executive at the Land Registry Michelle has an excellent knowledge of the housing market and deals with mortgage and protection enquiries.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with family, holidays, reading, gardening and socialising with friends.

Samantha has worked at Cotswold since November 2000, starting as an office junior, and is now PA to the Directors.

Samantha is a key member of staff, who manages the office, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. She also processes all new business and provides our Directors and Advisers with daily organisation and administration support.

Samantha has a well-established relationship with our clients and is able to assist any client with their queries alongside our financial advisers.

She has two daughters, which are her pride and joy. Her hobbies include reading, as well as various team and individual sports. She is also interested in fashion and interior design.

​Amy started at Cotswolds in March 2014 as an Apprentice completing her NVQ in Administration.

She is now a full time administrator, supporting the advisers, maintaining client files and the company database. In her time with Cotswolds Amy has gained a vast knowledge of the financial services industry.

Amy enjoys most sports, keeping fit and travelling!

Paul is a CeMap qualified Mortgage and Protection adviser who has been working in the financial industry for nearly 20 years. He has been advising clients on their mortgage needs for the last 14 years for various employers, including Nat West, Santander and Lloyds bank.

He has advised clients on their various mortgage needs as well as protecting themselves and their families with life, critical illness and home insurance. He enjoys meeting clients, getting them on the property ladder and helping them along the way in the biggest financial commitment they will ever make.

He can also help with the later life lending and Equity Release should the need arise.

Away from work Paul is married, and the proud father of 2 children, they take up most of his free time. He likes to keep fit, playing football and cricket when he gets time.