From being The Man From the Pru, collecting a few pounds a week from customers, to managing £140.73 million worth of clients’ money, Lee Devonald’s approach to financial services has remained the same across nearly four decades – family values.

Lee’s career began as an agent for Prudential Assurance in 1985. After a brief spell at Legal & General, Lee decided to set up Freedom Financial Planning in 1991 with two former colleagues. By 1994 he had gained the confidence to go it alone and founded Liberty Financial Planning.

In 2003 Lee was pleased to be approached by St. James’s Place to become a Partner trading as Liberty Wealth Management Ltd, as he recognised their client care ethos resonated with his. From originally being primarily mortgage and protection advisers, Liberty soon established a reputation in Wealth Management & Estate Planning.

Now a grandfather and married to Moira for nearly four decades, Lee still leads the Liberty family.

Chris joined Liberty in February 2008 and quickly became fully qualified later that year. He enjoys working with people of all ages to build long-term plans and relationships, whether this be for retirement, investment or tax planning.

In 2018 Chris achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, the gold standard within the financial advice sector. This shows his commitment to high standards, ethical practice and ongoing professional development. It also gives his clients the confidence that they can expect the highest capabilities of advice, service and support.

Married with two young sons, outside work Chris enjoys watching and occasionally playing football and golf.

Lauren worked as a legal PA for seven years in London before deciding to join her father’s company in 2009. Starting as Practice Manager, looking after clients’ admin and marketing, she then decided to study to become a Financial Adviser.

In 2016 Lauren completed the St. James’s Place Next Generation Academy and achieved her Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. She now specialises in advising the children and grandchildren of long-established Liberty clients, helping launch them on the start of their financial journeys, from saving for their first home to retirement planning. She’s particularly passionate about being able to provide financial education to the next generation so that they have the knowledge and confidence to save for their future.

No doubt Lauren will be passing these lessons on to her own small children, Jake and Phoebe, when they are old enough. Aside from spending time with husband Dave and the family, Lauren also plays netball twice a week in a local team.

After several years as a secondary school teacher, Lisa decided to change course and join the family business in 2016. Having spent many school holidays with her Dad in the office, it seemed a natural progression. Her sister Lauren was pregnant with her second child, so Lisa stepped in as Practice Manager and has never looked back.

Since then she’s taken the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the St. James’s Place Paraplanner Academy in 2019 and now also provides technical support to the advisers. Lisa particularly enjoys the challenge of considering every client’s differing circumstances, and is proud to be part of a family business that her father has built from scratch that looks after other families.

One element of Lisa’s job she particularly enjoys is bringing her sausage dog Mabel to work! Other than that, Lisa enjoys reading and films.

Kelly joined Liberty in 1996 straight from her college secretarial course. Lee is her uncle, and spotted her efficiency and eye for detail.

Taking calls from clients, many of whom have become friends, and giving that personal touch to the service Liberty offers is what Kelly loves best. She supports Lee and the team through every part of client service, from the first contact to aftercare.

Outside work Kelly enjoys spending time with husband Aaron, son Murray and French Bulldog Eddie, taking walks in country parks or down by the sea.

Family friend Sally joined the business in 2000 after working as an accounts manager for a local youth centre. Two decades later she’s still supporting Lee and the team.

Sally is often the first person clients speak to when they call, and she will often recognise your voice before you say your name. She says she enjoys the fact that no two days are the same, and takes pride in keeping all the systems running smoothly, whilst ensuring clients are kept right up to date with what’s going on.

Sally lives in Leigh-on-Sea. When she’s not enjoying seaside walks she’s revamping vintage furniture, painting or spending time with her grandchildren.