Michelle has over 25 years working in financial services industry with most of that time spent working for two global private banks (first in New York and then London) advising clients how to effectively transfer wealth to the next generation. She has worked with families in the UK, Europe, Latin America, and Asia and travelled extensively to meet with clients and their families often around their kitchen table while explaining the ins and outs of structuring wealth, including the family business using trusts, companies, and liquidity management tools like life insurance. Key to these conversations was an appreciation for family dynamics and the psychological interactions among the key players in the business and in the family.

Wanting to understand more about psychology and what drives human behaviour, Michelle took a break from the corporate world and did a MSc in Psychology part-time while working for a boutique protection and life insurance broking firm. During this time Michelle advised UK resident and international individuals and entrepreneurs about the use of life insurance to fund IHT liabilities, protect their income and their families’ lifestyles, as well as their businesses using key man insurance and shareholder protection solutions. The insights she gained from studying psychology proved useful in understanding people’s motivations and reasons why they act or fail to act.

The pandemic proved to be an unsettling time but also presented the opportunity for some reflection. Recognising that she wanted to be able to use more of her skills to help a broader range of clients, Michelle took the bold step to set up a financial planning firm in conjunction with Ana, a friend and former colleague from her private banking days.

At Golden Acorn Financial Planning, Michelle can draw on the full range of her capabilities and knowledge in the fields of economics, finance, law, and psychology and provide clients with holistic advice and the appropriate solutions to help them meet their financial goals and turn their golden acorns into strong oaks. Being a Partner Practice of St. James's Place, enables her to enjoy the best of both worlds – a small enterprise backed by a strong company.

In her spare time, Michelle volunteers as a director on the right to manage company for her building, is a volunteer with Refuge’s National Domestic Violence Helpline and looks forward to the day when this helpline will not be needed. Michelle is a member of a hiking club, enjoys playing tennis and has recently completed the Day Skipper theory course - the next challenge is the practical course when the weather warms up – she’s a fair-weather sailor!

Michelle has a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, MSc in Psychology, a graduate diploma in Law and in Quantitative Development Economics as well as a BA degree in Economics with French. She is a member of CII (Chartered Insurance Institute), and STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).