Cooper Associates Group has reported another year of steady growth and development across its mortgage, wealth management and accountancy divisions, recently welcoming 31 new team members.
The appointments reflect both the Group’s expansion across the South West and its continuing reputation as a trusted provider of mortgage, financial, and accounting services.
Group Developments
At a Group level, Cooper Associates has strengthened its marketing and technology functions to support the next phase of growth. Two new members, Andy Durant and Jade Amann, have joined the marketing team in social media and content roles respectively, to enhance brand visibility and engagement across the region.
The appointment of Duncan ter Veen-Hockney as Head of Technology marks a further step in the Group’s digital transformation strategy, focusing on operational efficiencies and improved client experience.
Speaking on his appointment, Duncan said:
“The clarity of vision, the pace of growth, and the ambition driving the business are genuinely exciting. After years at Hargreaves Lansdown, I was looking for a new challenge.
It’s exciting to join a company where technology is seen not just as a support function, but as a strategic enabler of innovation and scale. Cooper Associates is exactly that kind of place, and I’m thrilled to be part of its journey.”
Supporting the Group’s relationship-led approach, Ricky Selway has joined as Relationship Manager to strengthen existing connections and foster new partnerships. The business is also recruiting experienced Microsoft Engineers to further enhance its technology capabilities.
Expanding Accountancy Services
Cooper Associates Accountancy has seen significant progress, launching a new Insolvency division under licensed insolvency practitioner Stacey Phipps. The division broadens the firm’s service offering, allowing Cooper Associates Accountancy to assist those looking to navigate the complex and difficult insolvency landscape.
Commenting on her new role, Stacey said:
“I chose to join Cooper Associates because of its culture and reputation. It’s a business built on integrity, professionalism, and client service. To be part of a group that continues to grow so strongly while staying true to those principles is incredibly exciting.
The insolvency division is designed to support both individuals and businesses through financial distress, as well as to assist thriving companies with solvent restructuring and profit extraction.
What makes this particularly meaningful is that we’re building an insolvency service that reflects The Cooper Way; combining technical excellence with genuine care, clarity, and compassion. My goal is to create a service where clients and referrers feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage of what can often be a very difficult process.”
The Accountancy division has also extended its footprint geographically with the establishment of a Cheltenham office, led by Sophie Haines and Claire Hinton-Lockie, alongside new recruits Alex Withey and Alexandria Harris in Taunton. The expansion underscores the growing demand for Cooper Associates Accountants’ client-centric approach to accountancy.
Mortgage Division Developments
Following the establishment of its Bristol office in late 2024, the Group’s mortgage division continues to gain momentum. Josh Smith has joined as a Mortgage & Protection Adviser following the Group’s succession partnership with Fraser Heath Mortgages earlier in the year, strengthening Cooper Associates’ presence in the Bristol market.
The firm also welcomed a new cohort of advisers through its LEAP training programme, a six-week initiative designed to fast-track individuals from diverse professional backgrounds into qualified Mortgage & Protection Advisers. This year’s participants include Ben Jones, Calum Gay, Ellis Waugh, George Gass, James Leck, Liam Keogh, Michael Kyriakou, and Rebecca Webb.
To maintain high levels of client service as the business expands, the mortgage client relationship team has also grown with the addition of Becca Bamford, Harry Duxbury, and Tyler Kennard.
Wealth Management Growth
Cooper Associates Wealth Management continues to build on its expansion, welcoming advisers Gavin Brown and Tali Humphrey to its financial team.
To support the growing adviser base, the division has strengthened its client relationship and paraplanning teams, welcoming Alex Jarman, Daisy Page, Ellen Small, Gemma Milton, Grace Biltawi, and Joe Snow as Client Relationship Managers, alongside Dionne Mullins-Welburn, Fay Clayton, and Deborah Hannums as Paraplanners.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the year’s progress, Samantha Jackson, CEO of Cooper Associates Group, commented:
“It is great to have welcomed so many talented individuals to the business this year. Our people are at the heart of all that we do at Cooper Associates Group, and expanding our team allows us to continue to provide exceptional service to our growing client base while maintaining the personal, friendly and holistic approach that has always set us apart.”
Looking to 2026, the Group intends to continue investing in its people and services, building on the progress achieved to date.
Jackson added that the ongoing support of clients remains central to the Group’s success:
“The trust and loyalty of our clients sit at the core of our business. It’s thanks to them that we can grow, innovate and continue attracting exceptional new talent to our team.”
Those interested in career opportunities with Cooper Associates Group can visit the company’s careers page for current vacancies.
