Who are we?

Colin read psychology at Aberdeen University. He trained as a chartered accountant, becoming a senior manager with PwC. During his early career, he enjoyed a secondment to manage a leprosy rehabilitation project for TEAR Fund in Kathmandu. Returning to the UK he applied his knowledge as a Finance Director at The Frizzell Group. In 1999, Colin joined Farley & Thompson, becoming the Managing Partner shortly afterwards. During the past 20 years, he has supported the traditional values Farley & Thompson has always espoused, while championing a programme of measured but continuing service improvement through innovative technology.

Colin is passionate about reducing social exclusion, and was for ten years Honorary Treasurer of Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA). He is married with a growing family, is involved with his local church, and hopes to do more travelling as opportunities afford.

Nicholas joined Farley & Thompson in 2015 following fifteen years in various leadership roles across the Lloyds Banking Group. He became a partner in early 2016 and was appointed Managing Partner in 2022 and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the business. He is proud of the firm’s history and dedicated to ensuring that the core values are maintained by all staff and the management team.

Nicholas has completed the Chartered Securities Institute Investment Advice Diploma and previously studied at Kings College, University of London where he captained the Rugby 1st XV and was named Sportsman of the year. He is a Governor at Canford School and spent 7 years on the wider board of the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association. On a personal level Nicholas is a family man and enjoys watching his children play sport, doing DIY and following Preston North End. He was brought up in Lancashire and lives in Poole with his wife and three children.

Caroline joined the firm as a stockbroker in 2012 and became a partner in 2013. She is an experienced investment manager having worked for Thesis Asset Management in Lymington. Caroline began her career in Bristol working for Tyndall Unit Trust Managers and Stock Beech Stockbrokers before moving to Bournemouth and working for Pritchard Stockbrokers for over 10 years.

Caroline is a Chartered Wealth Manager and qualified with distinction in the industry standard PCIAM (Private Client Investment Advice and Management) examination and runs Farley & Thompson’s Discretionary Management and AIM Inheritance Tax Portfolio services, where the firm’s clients benefit from her interest in quality research and careful, knowledge-based approach to portfolio construction. She also has responsibility for the firm’s compliance monitoring and regulatory reporting.

Caroline lives in Poole and when away from her desk she enjoys watching most motor sports, either trackside or from the armchair. She also has an interest and appreciation of art deco design and glassware.

Skye trained as a Chartered Accountant with Smith & Williamson working as an Auditor across a breadth of clients around the country. She is also an experienced Chartered Tax Adviser, who has worked with high net worth individuals and landed estates, helping them to manage their tax affairs. Skye joined Farley & Thompson as a stockbroker and Financial Controller in 2019, becoming a partner in early 2020. She has completed the Chartered Securities Institute Investment Advice Diploma and as well as advising clients, Skye has responsibility for the firm’s finance function and reporting.

Away from the office, Skye is passionate about skiing and makes use of her annual leave in the mountains each year. Skye lives in Poole with her husband and in addition to her zeal for skiing, she is a committed member of Christ Church Westbourne, enjoys DIY projects, attending live music events, travelling, and partaking in water sports.

Matthew joined Farley & Thompson in May 2021 bringing a wide range of experience to the firm in stockbroking, investment management and financial advice. He began his stockbroking career with WH Ireland, moving on to work as an Investment Manager for a large family office and more recently with a financial advisory firm. Matthew was appointed a Partner in 2022 and as well as looking after private clients and managing our relationships with the wider investment community, Matthew leads the firm’s Investment and Research Committee, helping to set the investment strategy for our Discretionary and Advisory Managed clients. He holds both the CISI Investment Advice Diploma and CII Diploma in Financial Planning.

In his spare time, Matthew loves exploring the New Forest with his young family and enjoys most sports, particularly football and tennis.

George started his career in financial service after leaving school, undertaking an accountancy apprenticeship in Dorchester before transitioning to work in investment management for a regional boutique. In 2023, George joined Farley & Thompson as an Investment Manager Assistant and, having completed the CISI Investment Advice Diploma, has progressed into an Investment Manager role working closely with the Partners. Primarily he helps run the firm’s discretionary management service alongside Matthew Walker and Caroline Mills, enabling the business to accommodate the growing number of clients who wish to benefit from professional portfolio management.

George is a key member of the Investment Committee where his technical and analytical skills play an important role in the research function and the development of our asset allocation and performance monitoring activities.

When not in the office, George enjoys spending time exploring the Dorset countryside. He has a keen interest in sports, particularly football and boxing, though his involvement is limited to watching rather than participating nowadays.