About: After being a successful international financial advisor in both Tokyo and Cape Town since 2006, Jonathan had to move back to the UK for family health reasons to offer them support. Upon returning, Jonathan was headhunted by an asset manager and became Business Development Director. He was later promoted to Head of Global Sales. After a short time away from the industry, Jonathan decided to work for himself by creating his own company and work with new asset managers and co founded Acorn to do just that. Jonathan was schooled on an acadamic and arts scholarship, and later attained a BA with Honours in Business Management at Newcastle University. He now holds a variety of CII financial qualifications including CF2: Investment and Risk, and with experience both as the intermediary and fund representative, he is in the fortunate position to hold a huge amount of product knowledge and experience of challenges felt on both sides of the desk.
Interests: You only have to look at Jonathan to tell he is a seasoned rugby player! But today Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters when he is not travelling round the world.
Favourite quote: Jonathans favourite quote is actually a poem called "A Psalm Of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which you can read in full by searching on the internet. Here is an excerpt:
"In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!"
Jonathan Simons
Director
Joe Palmer
Director
About: Following on from further education, Joe emigrated to Spain to take up a role in a family business. With the hunger and desire to establish his own career direction, Joe moved back to the UK and began working within the AV industry. Over a short period of time, Joe became regional account director and franchise Manager for Bang & Olufsen London. Joe’s interests towards a career in Financial Services grew and in 2008 he joined a UK based Asset Management Company. Within 5 years Joe had been promoted to Head of UK sales and then Head of Global Sales and Strategic Partners. Joe co-founded Acorn International Fund Distribution in 2014 to have the opportunity to be selective about the number and the nature of the asset managers to work with. Joe holds the Full IMC (CFA Society).
Interests: Joe is a big sports fan -rugby and football in particular. When joe is not travelling he enjoys spending time with family and friends and his pride and joy “Beau” the Irish red setter.
Favourite quote: "Jonny, you're not gonna believe this, my flights been delayed / cancelled"
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Ben Searle
Business Development Director - Asia Region
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About: Ben has been in the financial services industry since 2010. Through living between the Middle East and Asia, Ben has gained a broad understanding of the IFA expat community and knowledge of the offshore financial markets. Having previously worked for a fund management and IFA firm, Ben has established himself as a highly proactive professional with a strong dedication to succeed within the sector. In his role at Acorn, Ben is responsible for developing relationships with financial intermediaries and raising the profile of the funds offerings in the APAC region. Ben graduated with a MSc. in Business Psychology from Heriot Watt University.
Interests: Taking full advantage of Hong Kong's beautiful countryside, Ben enjoys hiking the mountains with his wife and daughter.
Favourite quote: "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." - Dalai Lama
Miles Hill
Business Development
Director
About: Miles has over 13 years experience working with UK and international wealth managers and financial advisers, in a very successful business development capacity. Having graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from UWE Bristol in 2000, Miles spent a short time working for a small business angel network, before spending 5 years working as an advertising account manager at the Financial Times in London, where he gained his IMC. His experience gained from raising investment assets led him to work with Joe and Jonathan at Acorn, where excellent client service and quality of product is key. Miles has a strong technical knowledge of investment strategies and takes a keen amateur interest in investor psychology.
Interests – Sport of all descriptions, especially rugby where Miles plays for Cobham Vets (much against the advice of his wife) and coaches the minis with his son in the U8s, cricket, cycling and running where he has discovered he can run far further than previously imagined!
Favourite Quote – "If you can keep your head when all those around you are losing theirs" Rudyard Kipling
Ben Wiseman
Business Development
Director
About: Starting his financial career in London in 1999, Ben has over 2 decades of experience working in the international financial services sector, specifically funds, insurance and pensions. During this time a deep understanding of many aspects affecting the industry created a desire to work alongside industry experts throughout the globe. An awareness of the importance of access to quality financial products, as well as the challenges faced by many in the industry, has given Ben the drive to make sure the right opportunities are offered to enable the investment journey most suited for clients. Most recently targeting the exciting and thriving continent of Africa, he has focused on working closely with intermediaries to make sure they have a quality and versatile range of products available to them along with the necessary support in an ever changing financial sector.
Interests: Ben enjoys playing and watching sports, spending time with his family and travel. A weekend including a local wine estate tour, family BBQ and watching an international sporting event recharges the batteries nicely in preparation for the week ahead.
Favourite quote: "Conscience is a mother-in-law who’s visit never ends."
H. L. Mencken
About: After a number of years working in Engineering, Nicki took a change of direction when going back to work after her second daughter. A move to the events industry gave her experience of working for herself, small family businesses and national PLCs. Having found success in the finance area of this industry she discovered a love for all things number and spreadsheet related.
Interests: When Nicki’s not being kept busy by her two teenage daughters she can usually be found with her head in a book, listening to music or walking the dogs with her partner, Matt. She is an avid Formula One fan and often spends her Sunday's cheering on Lewis from the sofa, after watching her favourite Leicester Riders Basketball team on a Saturday night.
Favourite quote: "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" Audrey Hepburn.
Nicki Robinson
Head of Operations
About: Having worked as long-haul Cabin Crew for 14 years, Lisa left British Airways to become a full time stay at home mom. As soon as her two sons and daughter were settled in school, Lisa enjoyed a career at a local College managing an administration team, a job that fitted perfectly around the family, working school hours and term time. As her eldest son started University, her children suggested she too should experience the pressure of studying for a degree. Lisa took on the challenge, and in 2016 graduated from Staffordshire University having gained a BA (Hons) in Business Management. Before joining Acorn, Lisa worked at the University of Derby as a PA.
Interests: Lisa recently started playing Bridge and Crown Green Bowls, her husband Richard has bought her a set of golf clubs and is encouraging her to join him on the golf course, how brave of him! Lisa loves spending time with her family and friends, travelling, taking the dog on long country walks, reading and going to West End shows.
Favourite Quote: “Every moment wasted looking back, keeps us from moving forward” Hilary Clinton
Lisa Stack
Administration Assistant
About: Following a highly successful career as an outstanding Ofsted teacher Lucy decided she wanted more flexibility and to work closer to home with her new young family. With previous experience working at Capital One she looked towards finance and related industrys. She now works closely alongside the Acorn team to provide support.
Interests: Lucy is a deeply passionate and caring mother of two, and so much of her spare time goes in towards being with the children. In addition to that she enjoys eating out, films and interior design.
Favourite quote: "I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" - Maya Angelou.
Lucy Simons
Personal
Secretary
About: After a few years working in retail and gaining experience in all areas of her work, Hannah took on an opportunity to help a new family business. Making calls, research, cleaning casks – whatever the task, she was able to grow as the company did. In doing so, she developed her skills in administration and found a passion in this line of work.
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Interests: Hannah spends almost all her free time with her family, exploring new locations and making memories. Hannah is also a keen crafter and enjoys mind boggling puzzles.
Favourite quote: “Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs”.
Hannah Parry
Administration
Assistant
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Important Information:
The information available on our website is on behalf of Asset Managers who we act for. We provide access to Fund Factsheets and Fund Investment Reports which are available to investors for information purposes only.
Investors should be aware that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and that the value of investments may fall as well as rise and the amount realised may be less than the original sum invested.
Acorn International Distribution Limited registered as a private limited company in England and Wales, registered number 08838551.
​Acorn International Distribution Limited Is an Appointed Representative of Brooklands which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 757575)