Andy and his dear friend David Brownsword established MaherBrownsword in 1994, both having worked for SunLife of Canada and Dave within the banking sector. The company was joined by Phil Lander shortly after who added his wealth of knowledge of the financial sector to the team. Although Dave & Phil have now both retired, MaherBrownsword continues to go from strength to strength, to the large and successful firm it is today. Andy’s drive and enthusiasm for improving the lives of every individual client is at the centre of the business and emanates to the entire team.
We offer a wide range of advice, very much tailored to each individual client. Our specialities include pension consolidation, mainstream Investments, Business Relief, protection advice -both executive and personal, bonds, mortgages and estate planning. We aim to take the stress out of managing your assets which ideally allows you the freedom to enjoy life and eventually retire happy.
At MaherBrownsword, every team member brings their own unique skills to the table. For the people we service and help on a daily basis, nothing is too much trouble, and each client is hugely valued. Afterall, It’s Your Money!
Our offices are based in Stratford upon Avon and look out upon the gardens of Shakespeare’s birthplace. We have a smart No.10 front door - but we aren’t currently intending on running the country - just yet!
My love of coaching led me from my sporting career as a professional basketball player to qualifying as a teacher. My passion for education has stayed with me to this day and has always been at the heart of my ideology when helping my clients and their families.
In the last few years, I have had the pleasure of speaking at many conferences, both in person and virtually. I have a passion for Environmental Social Governance and how to include ethical and sustainable investing in the mainstream world of financial advice.
I have always been open to innovative ways of achieving the highest possible returns for my clients and technology continues to excite and enthuse me. My monthly podcasts have been a popular addition and I continue to enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas with some of the finest investment professionals in the business.
It will come as no surprise to learn that sport has remained a huge part of my life, from playing in goal for a local amateur football club, coaching my son’s football team, watching my beloved basketball, to travelling to the odd Celtic football and Ireland rugby game!
I thoroughly enjoy any time I am given with my newly fledged children – both of whom I am incredibly proud of, not only for their achievements, but also for the kind, generous and grounded adults they have grown to be. We enjoy holidays as a family to Loch Lomond whenever we can.
Following an initial career as an engineer, I worked as an HR Manager for over 10 years. After a short career break, I taught Computing and DT at a local primary school for 8 years. It was here that I met Andy as part of the Governing Body, and I then came to work for him in 2016.
Along with supporting our clients on a day-to-day basis, I also strive to learn and enjoy data analysis, cashflow modelling and providing innovative new ideas for our systems, thus hopefully improving our clients’ journey with us. Change is inevitable and can be unsettling, but I aim to ensure that any new technology we take on board here at MaherBrownsword is always a benefit to the people we help every day.
Outside of work, I have four children, and a miniature schnauzer Mabel as well as a Gecko named Geoff. I enjoy swimming and going for long walks in the local countryside. In my occasional spare time, I also love cooking and have a long waiting list of requests for my pots of chilli jam!
Having spent my younger years travelling across Africa and the Middle East with my family, I returned to England in 2000. My early career was mainly within the hospitality and hotel sector and later the Health & Fitness industry - eventually becoming Club Admin Manager for a large chain of health clubs.
I took a career break to raise my children, returning to work at my children’s primary school in the front office, as well as volunteering as treasurer for the attached pre-school.
I have worked with Andy for over ten years, supporting him with his diary and event organisation. I am proud to be part of the team assisting our clients daily, ensuring their queries are answered and investment and assurance administration runs smoothly. I also manage the Estate Planning team within our sister company Tomolly, which provides advice on Wills, Trusts, Legal Power of Attorney, and Inheritance Tax.
In my spare time, I am a keen swimmer, and ‘enjoy’ walking my two extremely naughty little dachshunds Rex & Ruby! I love visiting Scotland and try to get there every year with my children to re-charge and enjoy its beauty and peace. I recently undertook a long drive to the Isle of Skye - an epic journey but a breathtaking reward.
Chris joined the team at the start of 2023. He brings with him a wealth of experience in client care and communications. Having started his career in South Africa at the then biggest advertising company in the world, J Walter Thompson, where he specialised in magazine layout and graphics for many years, he returned to the UK where his posts have included customer relations within the energy sector, publishing and NHS reporting for the Audit Commission as well as working for a local heart charity.
“I recently obtained a degree in Modern Language Studies, specialising in English, French and Classical Latin. In my spare time, I paint landscapes in oil, hand build ceramics and study history.
I enjoy taking breaks within Britain and abroad where I make use of my knowledge of European languages as well as conducting research for a book I am writing about the Bronze Age in Northern Europe”.