Charles Mardon

Managing Director

As a Director of Sovereign Financial Partners, I oversee the effective running of the business, working closely with the management and administration team.

I founded Sovereign Wealth LLP in 2007 and we acquired Sovereign Money Matters Limited in 2012. Following a number of new business acquisitions, we formally rebranded the business to Sovereign Financial Partners Limited with effect from 1^st August 2020.

I believe that every client has individual needs and requirements; we ensure that we tailor any recommendations to provide bespoke portfolio management solutions, working alongside clients’ own solicitors and/or accountants where required.

Janette Mardon | Bsc (Hons) BA (Hons)

Commercial Director

Janette is proud to have co-founded Sovereign Wealth and currently works as the Commercial Director for Sovereign Financial Partners. With almost 20 years’ experience within the Financial Services industry, she remains passionate about driving the business forward with innovative products and services, and a strong focus on client service.

Fostering a positive culture within the business is key to Janette’s role, leading and developing a team that is driven by their desire to give excellent service, ensuring that clients find bespoke solutions to their financial needs.

Overseeing business strategy and services, Janette is driven to ensure each staff member and adviser has the tools available to adapt their service to an individual client’s needs.

Paul Hursthouse

Group Operations Director

Paul has 20 years of operational experience in wealth management, across a wide range of business models and scale, at senior management and board level. He holds an economics degree from Durham University.

He has held senior positions in; regional IFA, discretionary fund management, vertically integrated, private equity backed and publicly listed firms, during the course of his career to date.

The Group Operations Director role is a strategic appointment to support the business in achieving its ambitious vision and business plan aims.

Key responsibilities include devising, communicating and implementing the strategic business plan and improving efficiencies in processes and improving the productivity of staff, ensuring exceptional client outcomes are at the heart of everything we do.

John Hayden

Recruitment and Acquisitions Director

My focus is providing a first-class consultancy service to Financial Services businesses in the UK with a key focus on Mergers and Acquisitions.

I also provide consultancy services for Recruitment, Marketing, Sales and Operations based on 35 years in the sector and a dozen key Board and Director positions at most of the leading FS Networks and IFA’s over the last three decades.

As an experienced financial services professional with a wealth of experience in proposition development, marketing, sales and recruitment and a founding director of two major networks and CEO of independent adviser firm, I am pleased to be working alongside Sovereign Financial Partners and Sovereign Wealth based in West Yorkshire.

My focus is the recruitment of quality Advisers and profitable IFA Businesses to the group.

I’m a keen sportsman and marathon runner. I have raised over £20,000 for Macmillan, local children’s hospice and National Star Centre.

Kevin Grogan

Compliance Director

Kevin joined Sovereign Financial Partners as Compliance Director in October 2018 having previously worked in Compliance and Training & Competence roles with Brown Shipley, Tilney, Towry and Edward Jones.  

An experienced compliance professional, Kevin is a degree qualified director with leadership experience gained in the aerospace, telecommunications, financial services and volunteer sectors.

In his spare time Kevin participates in fell and ultra-marathon running events with his partner, Jackie, and daughter, Heather.

Richard Taylor

Financial Planning Consultant

With six years in the financial services industry, Richard is passionate about helping clients make sense of their finances and plan for the future with confidence. Whether it’s building wealth, securing a comfortable retirement, or protecting what matters most, he takes pride in offering tailored advice that makes a real difference.

Outside of work, Richard’s life is all about family, music, and sport. A devoted dad of three, he loves making memories on family holidays and cooking up a storm in the kitchen. When he’s not perfecting his latest dish, you’ll find him on the golf course, watching American football, or losing himself in his favourite albums.

Lisa Ellaway

Practice Team Leader

With over 17 years in the financial industry and an ex Independent Financial Adviser, Lisa uses her dedication and expertise to lead our practice team.

Beyond her professional life, she enjoys the company of her partner & two cats, nurturing her extensive collection of houseplants, and exploring her creative side through sewing. Lisa loves catching live music whenever she can.

Mark Scorah

Paraplanner

Mark started as working in Financial Services in 2016 and worked his way up to the position of Paraplanner, achieving various qualifications over the years with the aim of being an Independent Financial Adviser.

Mark lives in Doncaster with his wife, Zoe, and young son, Wyatt.

In his down time, he is an avid gamer, film buff and going to various comedy and music gigs, having recently watched Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band play in Edinburgh.

Sarah Burton

Administrator

Sarah is a Senior Accounts Administrator. She was a paraplanner for an IFA for 10 years before the business was acquired by Sovereign in 2016. 

Sarah is a local having been born and bred in Doncaster.

She likes to do craft projects in her spare time when not number crunching for the business.

Abbie Marsden

Administrator

Abbie started working in financial services back in 2021 and joined our company recently. She is currently a financial planning administrator but is looking towards gaining her paraplanning qualifications to further her career with us.

Abbie is a bit of a home body and enjoys getting stuck into books, movies or TV shows. Any other time she will usually be found out walking her energetic dog with her boyfriend.