Our Team

Our Team
Jason headshot600

Jason Spears

Financial Planner CFP®

James headshot600

James Holt

Financial Planner CFP®

Serena Headshot600

Serena Palmer

Financial Planner

Simon headshot600

Simon Raines

Financial Planner CFP®

Sarah headshot600

Sarah French

Paraplanner/Office Manager

Nicole McCowan

Client Services Administration

Melissa Smith

Client Services Administration

Jane Spears

Bookkeeper

Jason Spears CFP®

Jason Spears is an Authorised Representative (ASIC NO. 259600) of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 537043. Jason has been a Financial Planner since 2000, starting his career with NAB and moving to Bayside Financial Planners in 2003. Jason has been living on the Mornington Peninsula for most of his life.  He is married to Jane who works in the office and he has two children. He enjoys playing golf, mountain bike riding and bush walking in his spare time.

Why I enjoy financial planning?

  • Establishing and building long term relationships
  • Educating clients in regard to their financial options to assist with achieving their lifestyle goals.

Advice I specialise in:

  • Retirement planning
  • Small Business advice
  • Superannuation including Self-Managed Superannuation Funds
  • Investment planning
  • Debt management and gearing including Margin Lending
  • Wealth and personal protection
  • Company Insurance
  • Lending including Limited Recourse Borrowings

Qualifications

  • Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Certified Financial Planner®
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Diploma of Financial Planning
  • Certificate iv in Mortgage Broking

Memberships and Associations

  • Financial Advice Association of Australia
  • Finance Brokers Association of Australia

Experience

  • Commenced working for NAB in 1985.
  • Commenced working as a Financial Planner with NAB in 2000.
  • Became a Director of Bayside Financial Planners in 2003
  • Co-Founder of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd and Peninsula Wealth Management Pty Ltd

James Holt CFP®

James Holt is an Authorised Representative (ASIC NO. 1002565) of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 537043. James has been a Financial Planner for over 17 years, starting his career in the UK before moving to Australia 13 years ago. He has been living on the Mornington Peninsula for the last 9 years with his wife Jo. He enjoys playing tennis and golf and sits on the committees of several business groups in the area.

Why I enjoy financial planning?

This role enables me to really get to know my clients, developing a strong relationship with them, and working together to achieve great outcomes.

I love helping clients to have a deep understanding of their financial situation, through discussion and education and I take great satisfaction in seeing the progress we can make together over time.

Advice I specialise in:

  • Retirement planning
  • Small Business advice
  • Superannuation
  • Investment planning
  • Debt management and gearing
  • Wealth and personal protection
  • Cashflow and budgeting
  • Group Insurance
  • Company Insurance

Qualifications

  • BA Marketing
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)

Memberships and Associations

  • Certified Financial Planner®
  • Financial Advice Association of Australia

Experience

  • Commenced working in the Financial Services industry in the UK in 2002.
  • Qualified as a Financial Planner in the UK in 2005, and subsequently in Australia in 2009.
  • Became a Director of Bayside Financial Planners in 2018
  • Co-Founder of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd and Peninsula Wealth Management Pty Ltd

Serena Palmer

Serena Palmer is an Authorised Representative (ASIC NO. 422609) of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 537043. Serena transitioned into the financial services profession in 2012 after a prior career in hotel management. Originally from south west of WA, Serena has called the east coast home for the past 20 years. She moved to the Mornington Peninsula with her husband Simon and enjoys spending time with their golden retriever, eating Simon’s food and playing golf.  

Why I enjoy financial planning?

  • Helping people understand the options available to them to help them get where they want to go!
  • Provide financial guidance through different life stages
  • Building valued & long term relationships
  • Supporting clients to achieve their financial and lifestyle dreams / ambitions
  • Is nearing completion of her Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning

Advice I specialise in:

  • Superannuation
  • Pre-Retirement & Retirement planning
  • Investment planning
  • Personal and business protection
  • Centrelink
  • Debt management and gearing
  • Cashflow and budgeting management

Qualifications

  • Advanced Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • Margin Lending

Memberships and Associations

  • Financial Advice Association of Australia

Experience

  • Qualified as a Financial Planner in June 2012 after transitioning from the AMP Horizons program in 2011
  • Founded SPR Financial Solutions in 2012 before merging into Peninsula Wealth Management Pty Ltd 2023
  • Co-Founder of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd and Peninsula Wealth Management Pty Ltd

Simon Raines CFP®

Simon Raines is an Authorised Representative (ASIC NO. 431863) of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 537043. Simon brings comprehensive technical experience to the Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd license and to Peninsula Wealth Management with more than 30 years dedicated to the financial services profession. Melbourne born and bred, his professional career has seen him live interstate.  He made the sea change to the Mornington Peninsula with his wife Serena in 2016 and in his spare time enjoys cooking and playing golf.

Why I enjoy financial planning?

  • Providing quality and ethical solutions to help clients through different life stages
  • Provide clients with education to assist with making informed decisions to help them achieve their financial and lifestyle goals.
  • Wide and in-depth experience of helping clients through various life stages

Advice I specialise in:

  • Self-Managed Super Fund establishment and Investment strategy (High Net Wealth)
  • Pre-Retirement & Retirement planning
  • Business planning for small, medium & large business enterprises
  • Aged Care strategies
  • Inter-Generational wealth transfer
  • Investment planning
  • Debt management and gearing
  • Cashflow and budgeting management

Qualifications

  • Masters in Financial Planning
  • Certified Financial Planner ™
  • Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)
  • SMSF and Margin Lending
  • Certificate in Superannuation Management

Memberships and Associations

  • Financial Advice Association of Australia

Experience

  • Senior management and corporate advisory roles in the financial planning sector
  • Former FPA Chapter Chair for Wollongong, NSW
  • Co-Founder of Peninsula Wealth & Financial Services Pty Ltd and Peninsula Wealth Management Pty Ltd

Sarah French

Paraplanner/Office Manager

Sarah has been working within the Financial Services industry since 2005 in the UK and 2009 in Australia when she emigrated with her family. Initially working as an administrator and then Paraplanner following completion of her Diploma in Financial Services (Financial Planning). Sarah worked as a Financial Planner following the completion of her Advanced Diploma in Financial Services, until choosing to step back to a Paraplanner role.

Sarah is married to David and moved to the Peninsula in 2019. They have two adult sons, Michael and Matthew and a pet Beagle – Freddie.

Sarah enjoys golf as a pastime, being a member at Portsea Golf Club and walking along the various coastal walks on the Peninsula.

Nicole McCowan

Client Services Administration

Nicole recently joined the team in June 2023, providing comprehensive support to our advisers and clients. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources) with a minor in Finance. Nicole has experience in varied roles across the industry and enjoys working in a fast-paced environment.

Nicole has an optimistic spirit and believe people are what make business tick. It is important for her to work where she can be an active member of the team, create value and have fun!

When she’s not in the office, you can find Nicole at the beach exploring the rockpools and building sandcastles with her son. She also enjoys food and wine, cooking and traveling when she can.

Melissa Smith

Client Services Administration

Mel is a recent and very welcome addition to the team. Joining the team specialising in looking after our client, she is one of your friendly first port of calls. You will hear Mel’s smile through the phone when you speak to her regarding all things administration and beyond. 

Mel is passionate about providing our clients with the best level of service to ensure they are comfortable with the financial services process. Mel’s years of administration experience and dedication to providing outstanding customer service ensure the team are highly organised and supported.

Mel is married to David and grew up on the Peninsula. They have two children and a German Shepherd, Toby.

Mel can be found cheering on her beloved Giants and enjoys going camping with her family.

Jane Spears

Bookkeeper

Jane is PWM’s bookkeeper and office manager. You will find her behind the scenes, working hard keeping the finances in check and organising the office to provide support (and a bit of sanity) to the team. Jane is also awarded the role of supportive wife and “great woman” behind Jason, successfully working together for most of their married life.

Jane loves to solve a problem and to turn numbers into meaningful information. She has always worked in the finance industry, starting in banking and later focusing her studies and experience in bookkeeping and human resource management. Wellbeing in the workplace is something that Jane is passionate about and she lives this belief through her interests in yoga, nutrition, and fitness.

Jane has lived on the Mornington Peninsula most of her life with hubby, two children and one crazy kelpie / border collie. She loves the relaxed community vibe, beautiful beaches and many nature walks.