Our People

OUR PEOPLE

The Copia team is headed up by Robert Vaudry and utilises the combined expertise of Joanne Benson and specialist Tony Hicks with the oversight of the Investment Committee who bring years of investment experience to Copia’s decision-making process.

Leadership Team

Robert Vaudry

Managing Director

Robert has over 30 years’ experience in Financial Services and has spent much of his multi award winning career in Board and Executive level leadership roles at a range of regulated multinational investment banks, wealth management firms and insurance companies.

In 2019 Robert was named “Chief Investment Officer of the Year” at the Insurance Asset Risks Awards and was awarded “Investment Strategy of the Year” in 2018 at the Insurance Asset Management Awards. Robert is also a former winner of  “Wealth Manager of the Year” (ACQ), “Best UK Balanced Fund” (AI), “Most Outstanding Multi-Strategy Portfolio” (Global Funds) and “UK Balanced Fund of the Year” (Hedge Fund Awards).

Always one for observing the finer details, Robert has a love of architecture and especially listed buildings. He enjoys renovation projects and is currently working on the restoration of a Grade One listed building in Chipping Campden.

Joanne Benson

Head of Investments

Joanne is responsible for portfolio management and fund selection at Copia and has over 20 years’ experience in financial markets.

Joanne began her career with Aon as a graduate and went on to spend ten years in investment consulting, working with institutional clients on pension scheme investment strategy and fund selection. After a stint with a private equity and hedge fund manager, she joined a discretionary investment manager, Wellian Investment Solutions, where she was a member of the investment committee responsible for managing portfolios and undertaking fund selection across a range of asset classes.

When she is not busy meeting fund managers, Jo loves baking show-stopping cakes for her friends and is a regular supporter at local live music venues.

Tony Hicks

Head of Sales - London (City) & South East

Tony has more than 25 years’ experience in Financial Services, starting his career with United Friendly as a tied agent. He then progressed to senior financial adviser facing roles within the Sales and Marketing teams at Gartmore, Scottish Life, Aberdeen Asset Management and The Beaufort Group.

Throughout his career Tony has worked closely with clients and partners at Life Companies, Nationals & Networks and Platforms both nationally and internationally, across all asset and product types.

In his spare time, Tony is a keen gardener and attempts to grow a new and exotic fruit or vegetable every year. Tony is also a keen cook and especially enjoys making Indian dishes and sourdough bread.

Anthony Gillham - Independent Chair of Investment Oversight Committee

Anthony Gillham

Independent Chair of Investment Oversight Committee

Anthony is the independent chair of Copia Capital’s Investment Oversight Committee and brings over 20 years’ experience in asset and wealth management.

Most recently, Anthony was head of investments at Quilter Investors, having spent 20 years in various roles at the asset manager. Anthony began his investment career as a quantitative US equity and fixed income analyst, after which progressing to manage cash and fixed income portfolios before moving on to run the multi-asset team for Old Mutual Global Investors where he managed both risk targeted and conventional multi-asset investment portfolios. Anthony was a founder member of the Quilter Investors Executive Committee where he played an important role in setting up the firm. Today Anthony sits on Investment Committees and provides consultancy services to asset and wealth management firms drawing upon his experience as both an investment professional and business lead.

Anthony is also a commercial pilot and flight instructor and in his spare time enjoys skiing, sailing and tennis.

Sales Team

Craig Berry

Craig Berry

Sales Manager - North

Craig has many years’ experience in the financial services sector, working for companies such as Lloyds Bank, MetLife and Old Mutual Wealth.

He also enjoys an in-depth understanding of operating with Copia from his time spent at Novia Financial (now known as Wealthtime). 

A keen triathlete, Craig has competed for Team GB both at home and abroad. He also coaches his son’s football team Gateshead Redheugh. Outside of his sporting interests, Craig enjoys walking his Labrador with his family in the hills of Northumberland.

Simon Eakin

Sales Manager - Home Counties & London (West)

Simon has been working in the Financial Services Industry for over 25 years with the majority of this time spent at Skandia/Old Mutual Wealth. During this time he has developed trusted relationships with many adviser firms in London and the Home Counties.

With comprehensive awareness of Copia’s product range from his previous role at Novia Financial (now known as Wealthtime), Simon is excited to be representing Copia and its innovative solutions full time.

Simon is married with two children and spends his spare time ferrying his children to various sporting fixtures and take a keen interest in most sport in including Rugby, Golf, Football and Classic Car racing.

Matthew Jones - Sales Manager - Wales and the South West

Matthew Jones

Sales Manager - Wales and the South West

Matthew has worked in financial services for over 25 years, working for the likes of Legal & General, Royal London and, more recently, Skandia, Old Mutual and Quilter as a successful Business Development Manager.

Matthew has built up a comprehensive knowledge of the advice, platform and investments markets and is looking forward to working in partnership with advisers to de-risk their businesses and achieve great outcomes for their clients.

Outside of work Matthew plays golf, has a keen interest in rugby and football and is an avid collector of fine wines. Matthew is married with one son and is also the proud owner of two dachshunds.  

Greg Mayho

Sales Manager - Midlands & East Anglia

Greg has over 27 years’ experience in Financial Services, gained working in  business development, marketing and client services functions at leading investment specialists including BNY Mellon, Old Mutual, Gartmore and Brooks Macdonald. Greg holds the CISI Investment Advice Diploma and is responsible for managing relationships with financial advisory firms at Copia.

Outside of work, Greg loves music and in particular, DJing in bars and nightclubs. 

INVESTMENT TEAM

Peter Wasko

Peter Wasko

Senior Portfolio Manager

Pete comes to Copia with over 20 years’ experience, mostly recently at Abrdn.  He brings extensive capital markets knowledge across asset classes, investment strategies and client types and has significant experience of manager selection, discretionary portfolio construction and asset allocation, covering Alternative (Hedge Funds) as well as Long-Only Multi-Manager investment funds. With Investment Committee expertise across several roles, he has a strong background of leading investment teams and a robust ability to deliver impressive investment performance.   

 As an ex-collegiate basketball player,  Pete is keen follower of most sports and enjoys watching his children play football.  He also loves live music and attending concerts.  

Richard Warne

Richard Warne

Senior Portfolio Manager

Richard has worked in investment management roles for more than two decades. He joins Copia from YOU Asset Management, where he was responsible for running model portfolios and funds, with a core focus on UK equities, global equities, property and real assets. Prior to that, he worked for Credit Suisse and Citibank Global Asset Management, managing institutional equity pension funds and discretionary portfolios.

Richard is an avid runner & loves to take his border terrier on long walks. Richard is a big follower of football and cricket and a huge Nottingham Forest fan.

Alex Snuggs

Investment Analyst

Alex received a high 1st class degree in Finance and Investment Banking from the University of Reading, where he was one of the top five performing students over his three year course. 

A talented golfer, Alex plays with a single figure handicap. He also has a keen interest in cryptocurrency markets and their underlying technologies. This knowledge has enabled him to trade various cryptocurrencies as part of a personal portfolio.

Natalie Wallace - Junior Associate

Natalie Wallace

Investment Analyst

Natalie has been working in the finance industry for just over a year. Beginning her career at FinTrU in Belfast before moving to London to work for Copia Capital Management.

Natalie received a 2.1 in Business Economics and Finance from Loughborough University.

She’s a keen sportswoman, specifically hockey – in her final year at Loughborough her team won a silver medal at BUCs (British university and colleges). She’s also a lover of skiing and after University she completed a ski season in Morzine.

Angus Dandie - Junior Investment Analyst

Angus Dandie

Junior Investment Analyst

Angus graduated with First Class honours in Finance and Economics from the University of Strathclyde. He then received The Dean’s Academic Excellence Scholarship to Edinburgh University Business School where he obtained an MSc in Finance. He wrote his postgraduate thesis on the impact of ESG investing on fund performance in the UK vs Australia.

In his free time he enjoys all sports, particularly rugby, and he currently plays for London Scottish Lions.

Hannah Boston

Junior Investment Analyst

Hannah  graduated with a 2:1 in Law from the University of Bristol in 2023 and has  recently transitioned into the field of finance. During her legal studies, she developed a strong interest in medical law, conducting a comprehensive research project on adolescent refusal of life-saving medical treatment. Her work involved a critical analysis of existing legislation and proposed recommendations for legal reform.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Hannah is passionate about sports. She is a certified ski instructor and an enthusiastic athlete, dedicating much of her free time to cycling.

Bev Aubrey

Junior Investment Analyst

Bev’s early career was spent in the IT Distribution Industry as a Sales Manager where she gained a strong track record in building trusted client relations and stakeholder management. She then went on to manage a portfolio of UK Equities for a small SSAS in a consultancy company to the Lloyds Insurance Market for the past 7 years.

Bev is a CISI Associate Member with a Level 4 qualification in Investment Management.

Her passion is for the Ocean where she spends her free time enjoying activities with her family both in and on the water. She has several Scuba Diving qualifications and holds a Level 2 Power Boat licence.

OPS & COMPLIANCE

Derek McKinnell - Senior Investment Oversight Manager

Derek McKinnell

Head of Governance

Derek provides independent risk oversight and analysis of Copia’s discretionary investment management activities to ensure the continued delivery of satisfactory outcomes for investors, informed by over 30 years’ experience in Financial Services.

He has, in recent years, run his own investment research business, overseen an OEIC range in Cardiff, and held CIO and Portfolio Manager roles.  Previously he had 17 years’ private client experience, managing discretionary funds for private clients, pensions and charities across Scotland. He has worked for Tilney, Deutsche Bank and National Australia Bank as an investment manager, investment analyst, tax specialist and banker. Derek is a Chartered Wealth Manager, Qualified Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland (CIBS) and held CF30 accreditation.

In his spare time Derek enjoys volunteer work for local charities, watching sport and taking his dogs for long walks.  He also enjoys writing and believes he has a novel waiting to be written, possibly about the financial services industry!

Marina Contato

Head of Operations

Marina has seven years of experience working in financial services. She started her career as an Operations Analyst in the banking sector and prior to joining Copia, she was responsible for trade settlement and reconciliations at Mirae Asset Management. Marina has a degree in Business Administration and is IMC Level 1 certified.

Away from work, Marina loves cooking all types of food but especially dishes from her beloved home country, Brazil. Her speciality is feijoada, a dish she learned from her mother.

Tyra Butler - Personal Assistant

Tyra Butler

Personal Assistant

Tyra has 11 years’ experience in office management. She began her career as an admin assistant and quickly diversified into multiple office management roles.

Away from work she is a Pilates enthusiast and practices multiple times a week.

Understanding the risks

This information is intended for professional financial advisers only. Copia does not provide financial advice. This information is not intended as financial advice and should not be interpreted as such. Model investment portfolios may not be suitable for everyone. The value of funds can increase and decrease, past performance and historical data cannot guarantee future success. Investors may get back less than they originally invested.

Copia Capital Management

Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HA

Copia Capital Management is a trading name of Novia Financial Plc. Novia Financial Plc is a limited company registered in England & Wales. Register Number: 06467886. Registered office: Cambridge House, Henry St, Bath, Somerset BA1 1JS. Novia Financial Plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Register Number: 481600.

© 2021 - 2024 Copia Capital

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