about us
our advice is personal to you, we listen
We are a close team of friendly down to earth advisers.
we provide you help to understand what you’ve got, and what you need
Our advisers are supported by our own highly qualified technical team who provide an honest written assessment of policies and investments that are already in place.
a plan to help you achieve your goals
You won’t be sold a product, we provide you with a financial plan to help you achieve your goals.
our advisers will meet you in person or on a video call if you prefer
We are based in Borehamwood and provide financial advice from Birmingham to Portsmouth, Norwich to Swindon.
we’re here to think about your money so you don’t have to
Our service includes regular reviews of your money and how it’s working for you. Hassle free for you whilst giving you peace of mind we’re doing the monitoring.
we’re here to help you.
Make the first step to financial peace of mind and
let us share some of our time with you.
Alexander Bland is the Founder of Sapphire Financial Planning and current Director.
After a number of years in the Financial Services industry, he along with the dedicated team at Sapphire Financial Planning have established Sapphire Financial Planning as one of the front runners in financial advice. Regularly speaking across the country on Financial Advice, him and the advisory team have helped make the confusing world of finances and the relevant jargon become simple and structured. Ultimately, Financial Planning is revolved around a core value, “enjoying life”. Alex and the team help assist you in this, by planning for you to have the finances in the right place at the right time, with the support and advice when you need it.
Simon Benson joined Sapphire in 2022 and is our Client Relationship Manager.
Simon has had a long and successful career as a financial adviser spanning 40 years. In 2024, he moved from giving advice within Sapphire Financial Planning, to supporting our clients and maintaining support to our High Net Worth Clients. Simon has always formed long and lasting relationships and prides himself on giving the highest level of personalised service to his clients.
Away from work, his personal interests include a variety of sports especially supporting Arsenal. He is married to Louise and has 4 children.
Vivek Patel joined Sapphire in 2020 and is a qualified financial adviser.
Vivek has spent the last 14 years working for a high street bank in various roles ranging from personal to business banking. During this time, Vivek always took great pleasure and satisfaction spending his time getting to know his clients both professionally and personally. Vivek looks forward to being able to transfer the skills he has developed from working in the banking industry to help his future clients and to empower them to make the right financial decisions for their future needs.
Natasha Payton joined Sapphire Financial Planning a few years ago, originally managing and organising our client events and processing client business.
As her knowledge and experience has increased within the financial services industry, she is now working towards completing her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Natasha has an excellent work ethic and attention to detail, which is allowing her to excel in her recent promotion as a Junior Paraplanner, helping our clients understand the technical aspects of the financial world and preparing the compliance based documents.
She is a well loved member within the team, one that pays attention to the little details in the office and loves the opportunity to celebrate any occasion.
Caroline Seagrave is expertly placed to support both the advisers and office staff within Sapphire Financial Planning.
She has over 15 years experience in FTSE 100 financial services companies. Her wide range of experience includes providing pension and investment advice to clients, in her previous roles designing and launching new investment products and de-mystifying financial services in marketing literature.
Although now chosing a non advisory role she holds the Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in Financial Service, in addition to the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a BSc Hons degree from Reading University.
A key member of our team, she enables us to maintain an excellent client experience.
Karen Watson is our welcoming first point of contact for our clients. She is our friendly, super efficient administrator with more than 30 years experience providing care and understanding to customers within both the Corporate and Not for Profit Sectors.
Being diligent in her role she is a strong member of the team delivering client service is second nature to her. Her past experience in Project work brings benefits in the current constantly evolving modern business world.
She both enjoys the challenge of evolving business practices and gets satisfaction from being part of a successful business. Her fondness for order and routine support the whole team’s efforts and her focus on delivering service is exceptional.
Karen delivers friendly professionalism and ensures an excellent client experience.
Polly began her career in financial services in 2006.
She holds a Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute, an MSc (Hons) in Finance from Middlesex University, and BA (Hons) in Economics from Russian University of Economics (Moscow). Over sixteen years Polly has provided paraplanning support to Independent Financial Advisers, a Discretionary Fund Manager and Partners of St. James’s Place.
Experienced in areas of Investment planning and Personal Tax planning, Polly provides research on technical issues, relays reasons for advice to our clients and helps with the smooth running of the compliance side of our business.
James is our account executive and provides vital support across the whole of Sapphire.
He loves ensuring our clients receive the service they expect and deserve and when not supporting our Advisers and developing his paraplanning skills, he can be found booking appointments and chasing information from other companies on behalf of our clients.
James is also studying towards his level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning with the goal of using all his knowledge and skills to become an excellent Financial Adviser.
Alexander Bland is the Founder of Sapphire Financial Planning and current Director.
After a number of years in the Financial Services industry, he along with the dedicated team at Sapphire Financial Planning have established Sapphire Financial Planning as one of the front runners in financial advice. Regularly speaking across the country on Financial Advice, him and the advisory team have helped make the confusing world of finances and the relevant jargon become simple and structured. Ultimately, Financial Planning is revolved around a core value, “enjoying life”. Alex and the team help assist you in this, by planning for you to have the finances in the right place at the right time, with the support and advice when you need it.
Simon Benson joined Sapphire in 2022 and is our Client Relationship Manager.
Simon has had a long and successful career as a financial adviser spanning 40 years. In 2024, he moved from giving advice within Sapphire Financial Planning, to supporting our clients and maintaining support to our High Net Worth Clients. Simon has always formed long and lasting relationships and prides himself on giving the highest level of personalised service to his clients.
Away from work, his personal interests include a variety of sports especially supporting Arsenal. He is married to Louise and has 4 children.
Vivek Patel joined Sapphire in 2020 and is a qualified financial adviser.
Vivek has spent the last 14 years working for a high street bank in various roles ranging from personal to business banking. During this time, Vivek always took great pleasure and satisfaction spending his time getting to know his clients both professionally and personally. Vivek looks forward to being able to transfer the skills he has developed from working in the banking industry to help his future clients and to empower them to make the right financial decisions for their future needs.
Natasha Payton joined Sapphire Financial Planning a few years ago, originally managing and organising our client events and processing client business.
As her knowledge and experience has increased within the financial services industry, she is now working towards completing her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Natasha has an excellent work ethic and attention to detail, which is allowing her to excel in her recent promotion as a Junior Paraplanner, helping our clients understand the technical aspects of the financial world and preparing the compliance based documents.
She is a well loved member within the team, one that pays attention to the little details in the office and loves the opportunity to celebrate any occasion.
Caroline Seagrave is expertly placed to support both the advisers and office staff within Sapphire Financial Planning.
She has over 15 years experience in FTSE 100 financial services companies. Her wide range of experience includes providing pension and investment advice to clients, in her previous roles designing and launching new investment products and de-mystifying financial services in marketing literature.
Although now chosing a non advisory role she holds the Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in Financial Service, in addition to the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a BSc Hons degree from Reading University.
A key member of our team, she enables us to maintain an excellent client experience.
Karen Watson is our welcoming first point of contact for our clients. She is our friendly, super efficient administrator with more than 30 years experience providing care and understanding to customers within both the Corporate and Not for Profit Sectors.
Being diligent in her role she is a strong member of the team delivering client service is second nature to her. Her past experience in Project work brings benefits in the current constantly evolving modern business world.
She both enjoys the challenge of evolving business practices and gets satisfaction from being part of a successful business. Her fondness for order and routine support the whole team’s efforts and her focus on delivering service is exceptional.
Karen delivers friendly professionalism and ensures an excellent client experience.
Polly began her career in financial services in 2006.
She holds a Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute, an MSc (Hons) in Finance from Middlesex University, and BA (Hons) in Economics from Russian University of Economics (Moscow). Over sixteen years Polly has provided paraplanning support to Independent Financial Advisers, a Discretionary Fund Manager and Partners of St. James’s Place.
Experienced in areas of Investment planning and Personal Tax planning, Polly provides research on technical issues, relays reasons for advice to our clients and helps with the smooth running of the compliance side of our business.
James is our account executive and provides vital support across the whole of Sapphire.
He loves ensuring our clients receive the service they expect and deserve and when not supporting our Advisers and developing his paraplanning skills, he can be found booking appointments and chasing information from other companies on behalf of our clients.
James is also studying towards his level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning with the goal of using all his knowledge and skills to become an excellent Financial Adviser.
Alexander Bland is the Founder of Sapphire Financial Planning and current Director.
After a number of years in the Financial Services industry, he along with the dedicated team at Sapphire Financial Planning have established Sapphire Financial Planning as one of the front runners in financial advice. Regularly speaking across the country on Financial Advice, him and the advisory team have helped make the confusing world of finances and the relevant jargon become simple and structured. Ultimately, Financial Planning is revolved around a core value, “enjoying life”. Alex and the team help assist you in this, by planning for you to have the finances in the right place at the right time, with the support and advice when you need it.
Simon Benson joined Sapphire in 2022 and is our Client Relationship Manager.
Simon has had a long and successful career as a financial adviser spanning 40 years. In 2024, he moved from giving advice within Sapphire Financial Planning, to supporting our clients and maintaining support to our High Net Worth Clients. Simon has always formed long and lasting relationships and prides himself on giving the highest level of personalised service to his clients.
Away from work, his personal interests include a variety of sports especially supporting Arsenal. He is married to Louise and has 4 children.
Vivek Patel joined Sapphire in 2020 and is a qualified financial adviser.
Vivek has spent the last 14 years working for a high street bank in various roles ranging from personal to business banking. During this time, Vivek always took great pleasure and satisfaction spending his time getting to know his clients both professionally and personally. Vivek looks forward to being able to transfer the skills he has developed from working in the banking industry to help his future clients and to empower them to make the right financial decisions for their future needs.
Natasha Payton joined Sapphire Financial Planning a few years ago, originally managing and organising our client events and processing client business.
As her knowledge and experience has increased within the financial services industry, she is now working towards completing her Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Natasha has an excellent work ethic and attention to detail, which is allowing her to excel in her recent promotion as a Junior Paraplanner, helping our clients understand the technical aspects of the financial world and preparing the compliance based documents.
She is a well loved member within the team, one that pays attention to the little details in the office and loves the opportunity to celebrate any occasion.
Caroline Seagrave is expertly placed to support both the advisers and office staff within Sapphire Financial Planning.
She has over 15 years experience in FTSE 100 financial services companies. Her wide range of experience includes providing pension and investment advice to clients, in her previous roles designing and launching new investment products and de-mystifying financial services in marketing literature.
Although now chosing a non advisory role she holds the Chartered Insurance Institute Diploma in Financial Service, in addition to the Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies and a BSc Hons degree from Reading University.
A key member of our team, she enables us to maintain an excellent client experience.
Karen Watson is our welcoming first point of contact for our clients. She is our friendly, super efficient administrator with more than 30 years experience providing care and understanding to customers within both the Corporate and Not for Profit Sectors.
Being diligent in her role she is a strong member of the team delivering client service is second nature to her. Her past experience in Project work brings benefits in the current constantly evolving modern business world.
She both enjoys the challenge of evolving business practices and gets satisfaction from being part of a successful business. Her fondness for order and routine support the whole team’s efforts and her focus on delivering service is exceptional.
Karen delivers friendly professionalism and ensures an excellent client experience.
Polly began her career in financial services in 2006.
She holds a Diploma in Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute, an MSc (Hons) in Finance from Middlesex University, and BA (Hons) in Economics from Russian University of Economics (Moscow). Over sixteen years Polly has provided paraplanning support to Independent Financial Advisers, a Discretionary Fund Manager and Partners of St. James’s Place.
Experienced in areas of Investment planning and Personal Tax planning, Polly provides research on technical issues, relays reasons for advice to our clients and helps with the smooth running of the compliance side of our business.
James is our account executive and provides vital support across the whole of Sapphire.
He loves ensuring our clients receive the service they expect and deserve and when not supporting our Advisers and developing his paraplanning skills, he can be found booking appointments and chasing information from other companies on behalf of our clients.
James is also studying towards his level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning with the goal of using all his knowledge and skills to become an excellent Financial Adviser.
The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.