Paul Godfrey

Executive Director Growth

Paul brings over 35 years of experience in financial services, having held key leadership roles including COO, Sales Director, Operations Director, and adviser. At HSBC, he led the UK wealth business and served as COO for Wealth Management across the UK and Europe before joining St James’s Place in 2018. During his seven years there, Paul supported individuals in growing and developing their own financial advice practices, drawing on his extensive expertise. He is also a qualified Executive Coach (ILM5 & ILM7), a Chartered Manager, and a certified Business Consultant.

He has supported numerous small, medium, and large businesses in growing, selling, and exiting successfully while delivering exceptional service to their clients. Committed to ensuring every client receives the highest quality care, he is passionate about exceptional client service and helping people plan confidently for their future. With extensive experience in career development, he provides training and coaching to enhance advisers’ skills and improve client outcomes.

Outside of work Paul is a family man who is married with 5 children and his new puppy, he loves nothing more than spending time with his family, travelling and watching the latest movie. Paul loves most sports especially football and cricket and coaches and runs his local football team in the nearby village of Deddington. He loves music, attending concerts and going to sporting events. Paul is a very keen traveller and enjoys seeing different places in the world.

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David Rist

Executive Director Strategy

Having built, acquired and then sold a successful IFA business, David is a seasoned successful leader and developer, having worked for SJP and national acquirers.

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Peter Donaldson

Managing Director

Peter brings over 35 years of experience in financial services. He began his career as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), working across both personal and corporate markets. He then spent 17 years at HSBC, excelling in Retail and Corporate leadership roles. His progression into head office included leading remediation teams, as Head of Wealth Specialists, and later as Head of Wealth and Mortgage Transformation, where he developed remote teams and working within the mass affluent segment and alongside the Private Bank. As Managing Director for Partnerships at Fairstone and subsequently Commercial Director at AFH, Peter has successfully onboarded and integrated dozens of businesses. He is a Chartered Financial Adviser and Fellow, holds certification as a Certified SAFe 5.0 Lean Portfolio Manager, and possesses extensive qualifications and experience in training, coaching, supervision, and sales management.

Helping businesses of all sizes grow, buy, sell, adapt to changing environments, and integrate new processes and technology. His passion for financial services, their delivery, and commitment to clients and colleagues is evident in his collaborative approach.

Outside of work, Peter is married with two grown children and, like many here, he has a dog. Having spent many years working away from home, spending quality time with his family is a top priority, often at musicals. He holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt and takes great pleasure in helping others succeed at the club. Each year, Peter and Rachel make sure to attend at least one England Rugby match.

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