Prior to forming the business in 1981 that would evolve into Charter Financial Planning, Barry held a senior managerial position with, as it was then known, Hambro Life and prior to that had worked for two major insurance companies – Standard Life and Guardian Assurance.

Over the years he has held various volunteer positions in the insurance industry and regulatory bodies. He was awarded the honour of representing in excess of 12,500 members of the Life Insurance Association as its President in 1990/1991. Following this, he was elected as a council member of the independent sector regulator, as it was then known, FIMBRA - Financial Intermediaries Brokers Regulatory Association, one of the forerunners of the current regulatory body, the Financial Services Authority. He has also served as a Committee Member, Chair and Divisional Vice President for MDRT, an international US based organisation representing 25,000 worldwide members.

The current partnership of Barry, Deborah White and Sue Counsell, Charter Financial Planning, was officially formed in 1994. Subsequently, the separate trading company owned by Barry, known as Charter Insurance Brokers Limited, was brought into a closer marketing relationship, known as the Charter Partnership.

He is married to Brenda, they have two children Catherine and Steven and his outside interests include golf and sailing.

Deborah joined the business in 1981 as a personal assistant having previously spent a period working abroad followed by time spent in the textile industry as contracts manager.

Having gained experience and qualifications in running an administration system, in the mid 1980s Deborah took on the responsibility of managing our then Longridge branch. She became a partner in 1994 when the current partnership was formed.

Deborah has previously had involvement at regional level with the Life Insurance Association and has achieved the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate which includes specialist pension, taxation and mortgage qualifications.

Divorced, with no children but many nieces and nephews whom she adores, Deborah enjoys spending time with friends and family and travelling to Europe and further afield whenever the opportunity arises.

Sue joined the business in 1982 as Barry Woolley ’s personal assistant having just completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at Sheffield University, and became a partner in 1994 when the current partnership was formed.

She now manages the client support team and has responsibility for implementing the changes in systems needed to meet the challenges of an ever developing business.

Sue has achieved the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate, including specialist pension, investment and taxation qualifications and enjoys continuing to study professionally. She provides technical assistance for Charter's clients. Sue has other responsibilities including the firm's compliance with the Financial Services Act.

Sue lives on the River Lune estuary near Lancaster with her partner, also Sue, two cats, six chickens and a cockerel and enjoys walking, travelling and is a season ticket holder at Blackburn Rovers. In her spare time Sue is learning Spanish.

Lisa joined Charter on 1st October 1988 from Equity & Law (now Axa) where she had worked since leaving school in 1983.  Having made an invaluable contribution to virtually every aspect of our client services, Lisa now primarily looks after those clients who have small self administered pension schemes (SSASs) and Income Drawdown plans, an area of our work that benefits from Lisa’s experience. Originally full time, Lisa’s family commitments now mean that she is in the office (officially) Monday to Wednesday.

She is married to Neil and they have two children, Jordan and Joshua. Lisa enjoys walking, swimming and socialising with family and friends.

Joanne joined us in September 2005, having previously worked for Standard Life for 15 years.

Joanne’s main responsibility within the client services team is to ensure that the rebalancing of our clients with Tailored Asset Management portfolios runs efficiently. She is also a member of our Investment Team.

Joanne is married to Daniel and has 2 children Jasmine and Samuel. She works Wednesday to Friday and in her spare time enjoys interior design, her garden, good food (and wine) and is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Christine is likely to be the first person that our clients meet or speak to on telephoning the office as she is our receptionist and is also secretary to the partners.

Christine came to us in July 1992 after being made redundant from her employment with Visionhire Limited where she worked as a secretary for 11 years. Prior to that she worked as a secretary at the Sheriff’s Office in Preston for 12 years.

Gill joined Charter Partnership on 1^st October 1990 after working for a firm of solicitors.

Initially working for the insurance broking arm of the business, she has recently moved over to Charter Financial Planning and is now responsible for the marketing & corporate aspects of the company. She has also taken on the role of preparing client portfolio reviews and maintaining systems of regular client communication, including email and website processes. She also arranges Barry and Deborah’s appointments, so no doubt you will have spoken to her at some time or another!

She is married to Chris and shares her home with the two other men in her life – her two dogs Morgan and Harvey. Gill fills her spare time socialising with friends and family, reading, holidaying in her caravan, riding her 2 classic scooters and attending the theatre and concerts, (the main one being Paul Weller who she has seen 35 times!).

Rachel joined Charter Financial Planning in October 2006 after working for our sister company, Charter Insurance Brokers for eight months. Rachel is currently gaining experience in all areas of the Client Services Team before deciding where to “specialise”. Her enthusiasm, willingness to help and eagerness to learn have made her a valuable team member.

Rachel lives with her partner, John and their four year old daughter Beth. Rachel is studying with the National Childbirth Trust to become a Post Natal Group Leader in her spare time. When she is not working or studying, Rachel loves to spend time socialising with her family and friends.

Tricia joined us in August 2006 with no previous financial services experience, having previously been a buyer for retail companies. At that time Tricia was looking was looking for a change of direction and a new career.

Initially, Tricia's main responsibility within the client services team was the ongoing servicing of existing client portfolios. Her role has now developed to provide full client support across all areas of Deborah's work and she is also studying towards the FPC1 qualification.

Happily single Tricia lives in Leyland with her young son Max. In what spare time she gets Tricia has been renovating an old weavers cottage, and once the hard work is done loves to enjoy red wine and olives with friends. (Max just gets the olives!)

Julie joined us in January 2008 with no previous financial services experience. Having worked in the mobile phone industry for 7 years, Julie decided that she wanted a new challenge and new career.

Currently, Julie's main responsibility within the client services team is preparing client portfolio reviews. However, the intention is that she will extend her knowledge in to other areas of our client services in due course.

Julie currently lives in Leyland. In her spare time she enjoys socialising with her friends, shopping and going to the gym.

Russell joined Charter in August 2007 having worked in the accounts department of a Preston based PLC. Russell had already gained an interest in the financial services arena and is now keen to develop all round skills within our client services team, while at the same time starting to study for professional qualifications.

For his first few months Russell concentrated his efforts preparing clients' reviews, helping to ensure that our clients receive their written financial summaries in a timely and accurate fashion. While continuing to assist in this area, he is currently involved in the direct administration of Barry's clients, assisting Lisa Philipson in her work.

Outside of work he enjoys to spend his time on the golf course playing to a very high standard, and on the football pitch. Any other time he has he spends socialising with friends and family.

Catherine joined the company in January 2008 and currently her week is split between rebalancing client portfolios within our Tailored Asset Management service and preparing client portfolio reviews.

Catherine's previous experience is in mortgage advice, having worked for Cheltenham & Gloucester for six years, obtaining her CeMAP qualification. She is in the office every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and spends the time in between at her voluntary placement and working towards her Counselling Diploma at university.

Catherine married Sukhbinder in 2007 and enjoys spending time with family and friends whenever she is not working, studying or counselling.