The Team
Welcome to Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions Ltd, let us introduce you to the the team...
Nick Cowling - Director
Nick is a Director of both Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions Ltd and Brown Butler Pensions & Investments Ltd.
Nick gained his training with a major IFA firm in Bradford before working with fellow business owner Gary Rawnsley at a leading IFA in Leeds where he trained to be an adviser.
He set up his own firm in early 2000 before joining forces with Gary Rawnsley in 2007 to form Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions Ltd. Nick specialises in investments, pensions and tax planning for individuals and SME companies. He also provides mortgage advice to his existing clients.
Away from work Nick is a keen golfer and works hard to hold on to his ‘scratch’ handicap. He is married with 2 young sons.
Gary Rawnsley - Director
Gary is a Director of both Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions and Brown Butler Pension and Investments. Gary has thirty five years experience in financial services.
After training with leading insurance companies in Leeds, Gary became an IFA in 1986 and was director of a leading Leeds IFA before setting up his own business with Nick Cowling in 2007.
Gary specialises in investments, pensions and tax planning for individuals and SME companies.
Away from work he likes most sports, sadly mainly watching rather than playing these days. He is married with two sons.
Sophie Hutchinson – Senior Adviser
Sophie is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Senior Adviser with the company. With over 15 years’ working as an independent financial adviser she has a wide breadth of experience in all areas of financial planning, but focuses mainly on investments and pensions. Sophie is qualified as a Pension Transfer Specialist and also advises clients with inheritance tax planning.
Having graduated from Kings College, London (1997) she joined Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions in 2014 after 10 years with Bartlett Wealth Management.
When not at work, Sophie enjoys life in the country with her husband and two young children. She likes to cook for her family and friends and enjoys running and horse riding.
Sarah Jones
Sarah graduated from The University of Liverpool in 2001 and worked for a leading Building Society as an Assistant Branch Manager where she completed her CeMap qualifications.
Sarah joined Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions & BBPI in 2010 as a Paraplanner and specialises in mortgages and all aspects of financial administration, research and report writing.
Sarah spends spare time with her husband, young son and Labrador. As a family they enjoy long walks, good restaurants and holidays abroad. Sarah also enjoys going to the gym when time permits.
Val Clayton
Val graduated from the University of Northumbria with an Honours Degree in Modern Languages and International Business Finance. She has worked in Financial Services since 1996 apart from a brief spell in Banking.
Val joined Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions and BBPI in April 2013 and deals with all aspects of the administration of Pensions, Protection, Investments and Mortgages.
Outside of work Val enjoys personal fitness, and days out with the family.
Donna J. Nixon
Donna studied photography at Leeds Metropolitan University and worked in that profession for over 20 years before moving into financial services. She has worked with different Independent Financial Service companies and joined Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions Ltd & BBPI in November 2019. Outside of work Donna enjoys socialising, going to the theatre and the gym.
James Bickler
James graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University, after studying Business Management. He previously worked for Link Asset Services in Leeds before joining Cowling Rawnsley Financial Solutions and BBPI in April 2018.
James works as an Administrator dealing with Pension, Investment and Protection cases around both businesses.
Outside of work, James likes watching and participating in a wide range of sports and has a keen interest in Leeds United.