Sandy Robertson is managing director of Acumen Financial Planning. Sandy is a fellow of the Institute of Financial Planning, Certified Financial Planner, and Member of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

Sandy serves his clients by providing them with fully integrated corporate and personal tax investment strategies. He takes great care to ensure that his clients' investments are matched to their circumstances, have a strong performance track record and are tax effective. Through these strategies he generates added value for his clients. Sandy specialises in comprehensive Financial Planning comprising; Goal setting, Protection, Investment Planning, Tax Planning, Retirement Planning and Estate Planning.

Sandy is married to Sandra and they have three sons, Duncan, Ewan and Neil. In his spare time Sandy enjoys cycling, working with Sandra organising the renovation of their old house and reading material related to business and investment.

Brian Munro BSC AIFP ACIB Dip PFS CFP
Compliance Manager
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: brian.munro@acumen.info

Brian joined the firm in 2001 as Financial Services Administration Manager with responsibility for ensuring all administration and documentation generated by Acumen Financial Planning falls within the rules of the Financial Services Authority. This role has expanded to compliance duties full time.

Brian has passed the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate with specialisations in Taxation and Trusts, Pensions and Investment Portfolio Management and is a Certified Financial Planner.

Brian is the firm's most senior regulated pension transfer specialist, being qualified to the highest standard. A former Business Banking Manager, Brian is a native of Inverness and has strong family connections in Shetland.

Brian is married and has one daughter and in his freetime enjoys golf, walking, swimming and reading pension legislation! Brian also enjoys travelling throughout Europe and beyond.

Alan R Ball MA(Hons), LL.B, Dip LP, Dip PFS, CFP
Certified Financial Planner
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: alan.ball@acumen.info

Alan was appointed Financial Consultant with Acumen in February 2002 after previously gaining experience in the financial industry with a major UK life insurance company.

A graduate in Law from the University of Glasgow, Alan also gained his Diploma in Legal Practice and worked for two medium-sized law firms in Central Scotland specialising in private client work including conveyancing, Wills, trusts, investments and the winding up of estates. As a practising solicitor, Alan held the office of Notary Public. He also has an MA (Honours) degree in History and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen.

Alan gained valuable financial industry training with a major UK life office prior to joining Acumen and with this experience together with a legal background, he is ideally suited to advising clients on all aspects of financial planning.

Alan is a Certified Financial Planner and holds the Diploma in Financial Planning from the Personal Finance Society with specialisms in Taxation & Trusts, Personal Investment Planning and Investment Portfolio Management. He is also qualified to advise on mortgages holding the CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice) qualification.

As well as advising clients on their investment and pension portfolios, Alan also specialises in the following areas of financial planning; personal tax, self invested pensions, succession and estate planning and protection.

Alan now lives in the Ardoe area of South Deeside with his wife Susan and dog Archie. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, skiing, football and walking.

Bill Balfour
Financial Planner
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: bill.balfour@acumen.info

Bill Balfour joined Acumen in September 2006 as a Financial Planner.

A graduate in Geography from the University of Leeds, Bill has 20 years experience in financial services working with a number of major UK Life offices as a broker consultant, gaining experience in all aspects of financial planning.

Prior to joining Acumen, Bill worked as an Independent Financial Adviser with a national practice covering the north of Scotland, specialising in pre/post retirement planning.

Bill currently holds the Financial Planning Certificate and is currently studying towards the AFPC.

Originally from Brechin, Bill now lives with his partner Ailsa in Inverkeilor in Angus. Bill enjoys playing golf, football, travelling and reading in his spare time.

Financial Planner
Financial Planner
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email:doug.blanchard@acumen.info

Doug joined Acumen in July 2007 as a Financial Planner bringing with him over 20 years experience in the financial sector. During this time he worked for one of the UK's leading banks advising business and personal customers, alike. Subsequently, he worked for one of the UK's largest insurance groups both in an advisory role and a training and competence role. Latterly, he has been working for one of Scotland's largest independent accountancy firms as an independent financial advisor from which he joins us.

He holds the Financial Planning Certificate and Mortgage Certificate and advises in all areas of financial planning including mortgages, protection, pensions, savings and investments and estate planning.

Doug lives in Stonehaven with his wife, Kim and two children, Holly and Greg. He is a sports enthusiast and when not helping to coach one of the local Stonehaven youth football teams, he enjoys playing golf.

Tom Hyslop BA (Hons) Dip PFS AIFP CFP
Certified Financial Planner
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: tom.hyslop@acumen.info

Tom joined the firm in 2001 as a financial planner bringing with a number of years of financial services experience as well as several years in corporate banking with the Bank of Scotland in their Manchester Regional office.

Tom primarily deals with high net worth clients providing advice and guidance on both their business and personal affairs. Tom holds the Diploma in Financial Planning specialising in the areas of Taxation & Trust and Retirement Planning & Investment Strategies. In addition he has attained Certified Financial Planner status and is a registered pension transfer specialist.

Tom is married to Sarah and they have a young family, Kirsty and Finlay. (Kirsty started school this year).

Having moved house recently, he is looking to develop a "green finger" now that he has a garden to tend to. Tom is hoping to encourage the children to love gardening!

He plays golf on a social level but still maintains a competitive streak when it comes to football. Tom is a player/manager of Aberdeen Grammar FP’s football section. Although now getting a little too old to play the full 90 minutes.

Bill Saunders DipPFS AIFP CFP
Head of Financial Planning
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email:bill.saunders@acumen.info

Bill joined Acumen Financial Planning in July 2003. He brought with him over 20 years experience in the financial sector, the majority of which was with two major insurance companies focusing on the wholesale pensions and investment sector. He held various positions including specialist consultant and managerial roles culminating as a Regional Manager based in Aberdeen.

Building on this wealth of experience, Bill originally joined Acumen as a Financial Planner before taking on his new role as Head of Financial Planning in 2007. He specialises in advising individuals and smaller firms in all aspects of planning, including tax optimisation, pensions and investment.

He is a Certified Financial Planner and also holds the Diploma in Financial Planning from the Personal Finance Society.

Bill is married with four children and lives in Aberdeen. In his spare time he enjoys writing and recording his own music.

Keith Mackie MCIBS CFP
Certified Financial Planner
Office Location - Peterhead
Email:keith.mackie@acumen.info

Keith Joined the firm in Spring 2004 as a Financial Consultant bringing with him a number of years experience as an IFA as well as several years in banking with the Clydesdale Bank and a major UK Insurance company. A Member of the Chartered Institute of Banking, Keith worked with the Clydesdale Bank for 10 years working in various branches and roles throughout the North East of Scotland. Keith gained his banking degree in 1994 and is a Certified Financial Planner™.

To further his career in the financial services industry Keith joined General Accident as a Financial Consultant in 1995 gaining his full Financial Planning Certificates during 1996. He became a Senior Consultant with them in 1999.

Keith left General Accident during 2000 after being given the opportunity to work as an Independent Financial Adviser locally. Prior to joining Acumen Keith worked as an Independent Financial Adviser with a large mutual Building Society in Aberdeen.

Ultimately based in the Peterhead office, Keith provides advice and guidance to clients throughout the North East on protection, pensions and investments.

Keith lives in Turriff and is married with two daughters. With a young family he has little free time but does enjoy gardening and is hoping to take up golf again in the near future after years away from the game.

Keith Gilchrist
Financial Planner
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: keith.gilchrist@acumen.info

Keith began work in the Financial Services Industry in 1990 working for Eagle Star Life and Pensions; he worked his way through the ranks finishing as a trainee Financial Advisor. He then spent time at both Pearl Assurance and Sun Life of Canada developing his skills.

In 1998, Keith began work as an Account Manager for M&G Investments; he was responsible for looking after Independent Financial Advisor's in the East Anglia and East Midlands region and quickly built up his knowledge of Investment Markets. Keith joined Acumen Financial Planning in June 2005 as a Financial Planner.

Keith holds the Certificate in Financial Planning, the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and has recently passed a specialist Pensions exam. He is currently working towards Advanced Financial Planner status.

Keith is married and lives in Aberdeenshire, in his spare time he enjoys watching and playing football, skiing, reading and films.

Angus Mackenzie
Certified Financial Planner
Office Location - Norwich/London
Email: angus.mackenzie@acumen.info

Although educated in Scotland, Angus has lived in East Anglia for 25 years. He is responsible for looking after and developing Acumen's clients in East Anglia & London.

In joining Acumen Financial Planning Angus brings with him 21 years experience of providing holistic financial advice. Angus was a Partner in his own financial advising firm and built it to become a key provincial firm.

Angus specialises in advising clients who are, within 10 years to retirement or, at retirement. He enjoys sorting out the jigsaw puzzles he generally finds on meeting a client who wants a Financial Plan and turning the puzzle into a single coherent client focused retirement strategy.

He recognised long before they were mandatory that qualifications mattered. He has continually expanded his knowledge and in 2004 he qualified as a Certified Financial Planner.

Angus is married with 2 daughters, 2 labradors, and enjoys golf, scuba diving, and bridge.

Kay Newton
Group Systems Manager
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: kay.newton@acumen.info
Kay Newton graduated from The Robert Gordon University in 1993.

Kay returned to complete her diploma in Marketing in June 2000 and gained Chartered Marketer status in 2002 after completing a Masters in Marketing with The Robert Gordon University. Kay completed a diploma in business advice and counselling in 2003.

Kay enjoys spinning, body pump, swiss ball and body balance. Kay lives in Inverurie and spends the majority of her time at the gym. Kay is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing committee - North of Scotland branch.

Helen Learmonth
Financial Planner
Office Location - Edinburgh/Glasgow
Email: helen.learmonth@acumen.info

Helen Learmonth joined Acumen in February 2006 as a Financial Planner. She has previously worked in leading private client law firm in Edinburgh where she was part of the Investment team and began her study path. Helen then went on to work as a Financial planner at a well established Financial Planning practice where investment and retirement planning was the main focus. Helen has brought valuable experience to Acumen from both of these positions.

A member of the Institute of Financial Planning, Helen currently holds the Financial Planning Certificate and is working towards Certified Financial Planner™ status.

Although from Shetland, Helen is ultimately based in the central belt, Helen will provide financial planning to clients throughout Scotland.

Emma Singer
Mortgage Consultant
Office Location - Aberdeen
Email: emma.singer@acumen.info

Emma joined Acumen in February 2007 as a Mortgage Consultant.

Emma began her career in the financial services industry in 1998 when she joined a major UK bank. During her seven years in the bank Emma was accredited with The Certificate in Financial Services and The Mortgage Advice and Practice Certificate (The Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland). Emma climbed her way up through the ranks and latterly worked as a Mortgage Advisor. In 2005 Emma moved into the independent sector where she gained two years experience working as a Mortgage Advisor with a firm of solicitors.

Emma brings valuable expertise in the mortgage field and intends to develop into other areas of financial planning. She is presently studying towards The Certificate in Financial Planning (Chartered Insurance Institute).