Meet the Team

Graham Slater Director & Independent Financial Advisor

Graham has over 21 years experience within financial services; he started his career with the Halifax Building Society in 1989, Advising on and ultimately running a mortgage team. He became a fully qualified Financial Adviser in 1996 and quickly became a Senior Financial Adviser within the Manchester Area.

After a brief period in Private Banking, Graham became an Independent Financial Adviser in early 2005. Graham is fully qualified to Diploma level (DipPFS) and intends to continue his studies towards Chartered Status.

Graham became a director of Haven IFA in 2008 and specialises in Wealth Management and guiding clients both to retirement and through retirement.

He has two lovely daughters, Alexandra and Isobel and for his sins is a committed Stockport County fan. He is engaged to his lovely fiancée, Amanda, and is looking forward to tying the knot in the near future.

Nick Dando Director & Independent Financial Advisor

Nick’s career in financial services began in 1987 when he worked for one of the countries leading insurers, Prudential Assurance. In 1993, he moved on to pastures new when he joined Halifax Financial Services remaining there until 2001. During his time at HBOS he progressed from providing investment solutions to the Bank’s customers to managing the Financial Services Call Centre based in Bury.

In 2001, he was given the opportunity to return to his roots and joined Haven IFA where he has been involved to this day in providing face to face advice to his clients. Nick is a Director of the company and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the financial side of the business.

He is qualified to level 4 having taken and passed advanced diploma exams in Taxation and Trusts, Personal Investment Planning, Pensions, Long Term Care and Sales and Supervision.

He describes his specialism as providing a comprehensive holistic financial planning service for getting his clients to retirement, as well as, at retirement solutions for those retiring and retired.

Nick has three children all of school age. He has almost hung up his boots after a long Rugby playing career but seems to keep being tempted back by the thought of “just one more game.”

He is a keen walker, cyclist, and skier and regularly takes part in triathlons in an effort to keep fit and fight of the effects of his advancing years.

Mike Leigh Director & Independent Financial Advisor

Mike's career in financial services began in 1988 when he worked for leading insurer the CIS. He then joined The Halifax Building Society where he held many positions, latterly that of Mortgage Adviser.

Mike joined Haven IFA in 2000 where initially he was the firms mortgage consultant. In 2003 he became a fully qualified Independent Financial Adviser. 2006 saw Mike become a Director of the business.

Mike advises in all areas of financial planning in both the private and corporate space.

Mike is married with two sons and is an avid Manchester United follower.

Greg Whitfield Independent Financial Adviser

Greg’s career in Financial Services started in 2007 as a Mortgage & Protection Adviser and became a Certified Financial Planner in 2010.

Greg joined Haven IFA Ltd at the start of 2011 and attained his Diploma qualification in December 2011. Greg is ultimately aiming towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner over the next couple of years.

Greg advises on all aspects of financial planning specialising in pension and investment planning.

Greg is married and has a young son with another child due in April 2012.

Gary Moore Independent Financial Adviser

Gary’s career in Financial Services began in 1989 when he joined Lloyds Bank. After passing his Banking Institute exams he joined Bradford & Bingley in 1992 where he qualified as a Financial Planner and advised Building Society clients on mortgage, investment and pension products in an independent capacity. He joined an estate agency chain in 1996 and worked extensively in the mortgage market until he joined a local IFA firm in Hale in 2002. Having spent 9 years as a partner, building up a sizeable network of local independent estate agents and private clients and specialising in all types of mortgage, equity release and protection, he joined Haven early in 2011. He still works extensively in the mortgage market due to ongoing connections and also provides holistic financial planning to his clients both pre and post-retirement.

Gary is a keen sportsman and regularly plays football, golf and tennis. He has also recently returned to playing squash after a long absence.

David Williams Independent Financial Adviser

David started working in the Financial Services industry in 1980 when he joined Britannica Assurance. David remained in their employment in both advisory and supervisory roles until 2001 when he joined Haven IFA in his current position as a Financial Consultant.

David specialises in the Group Pensions market as well as advising on the full range of at retirement options for the individuals of these Companies. David is married to Julie and has two children.

He is a keen fisherman and motorcar enthusiast.

Samm Smith Personal Assistant

Samm started her career at Prudential Assurance in 1990 working in the Corporate Pensions Dept. There, she administered company money purchase and defined benefit schemes, as well as heading up the Annuity Department.

After 5 years with the Pru she moved to Aegon Scottish Equitable where she eventually became Sales Support Manager. A re-structure within Aegon led to a move to Haven IFA in 2004. During her time with Haven, Sam has been a personal assistant to the Directorate and the advisory team. She currently looks after Graham, Dave and Greg.

Samm lives in Leigh with her partner Steven, together with their two children Finlay and Amelia, who keep her very busy indeed !

Leanne Gillam Personal Assistant

Leanne started her career in the financial sector back in 1999 when she started working for Bankhall. After two years she wanted more of a challenge and joined Haven IFA in 2001.

During her time with Haven Leanne has been a personal assistant to the Directorate and the advisory team. She currently looks after Nick, Mike and Gary.

Leanne lives in the Altrincham Area and loves her role working at Haven IFA Ltd