Toby Carmichael-Jack
With over a decade of industry experience, a Chartered ESG Investment Manager, and featuring as one of Citywire’s top financial advisers under the age of 35 in 2016, Toby has a prominent background in the financial services industry.
Providing comprehensive advice to individuals, families, businesses, trusts, and other complex asset structures. His expertise encompasses various facets of financial planning, such as tax structuring and planning, investment management, retirement planning, intergenerational planning, accumulation and decumulation cashflow forecasting, as well as protection strategies.
A Chartered ESG Investment Manager, a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, a member of the Personal Finance Society, and a member of Resolution, Toby established Forefront in 2023 as a trading style of Opal Financial Management. Valuing their robust and pragmatic proposition, he can ensure a high-quality tailored service for all clients.
Nicole Spencer
Nicole Spencer is the Executive Assistant to Toby Carmichael-Jack With a professional partnership dating back to 2016, Nicole is dedicated to providing clients with an exceptional experience. With seven years of experience in the financial industry, Nicole offers a unique perspective.
Nicole’s dedication to professional growth is evident through her certifications. She is certified by FE Analytics and has passed the Financial Protection (R05) exam with the Personal Finance Society.
Nicole’s primary focus is ensuring clients receive exceptional quality support, assisting Toby in guiding clients through their financial journeys, and helping them make informed decisions.
Please note that Nicole is not authorised or regulated to provide advice.
Jonny Burtenshaw
A Chartered ESG Investment Manager and member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), Jonny heads up Business Development for Forefront while completing his pathway to becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. He brings a diverse background in Business Development across sectors such as Events Management, Security Consulting, and the Automotive Industry. Jonny has also advised multiple start-ups in the fintech and digital space, maintaining a strong awareness of emerging technologies.
Please note that Jonny is not authorised or regulated to provide advice.
Paraplanning Team
Our Contracted Paraplanning Team is composed of eight core members, featuring a flexible structure that can expand as service demand fluctuates, ensuring a consistently high standard is maintained.
Central to the paraplanning team is a robust focus on compliance, acknowledging its dynamic nature. The team continually enhances their expertise through ongoing education, drawing on years of experience to skillfully address even the most intricate client profiles.
Compliance remains at the core, given its ever-changing nature. The team are constantly advancing their knowledge through continuous education, leveraging their extensive experience to efficiently navigate all client profiles. This ensures the delivery of clear and intricately tailored advice utilising a wide variety of structures.
Nicholas Howell
With over three decades of experience in the financial services marketplace, Nick Howell currently serves as the Managing Director to Opal Financial Management, the firm that Forefront Independent Financial Advisory acts under. Nick acts for Forefront Independent Financial Advisory in an oversight capacity, ensuring clients are achieving the best possible outcomes.
Nick’s journey in the financial industry has taken him through a variety of roles, providing him with an extensive and diverse perspective.
Nick has always made it a priority to ensure that both clients and advisers would have access to cutting-edge technology. This technology empowers the identification of the most suitable solutions from across the Financial Marketplace, tailored to the unique needs of each individual client.
Nick takes immense pride in the consistently positive feedback and recognition that the adviser team at Forefront Independent Financial Advisory receives. If you wish to share your feedback or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nick. Your insights and experiences are valued.
Tony Millar
Tony, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, completed his articles at J.H. Champness Corderoy Beesly & Co (now Saffery) attaining Associate Membership of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1964, and becoming a fellow of the institute in 1974
Bringing a wealth of financial, commercial, and industrial expertise, Tony has played a pivotal role in supporting Toby in the establishment of Forefront Independent Financial Advisory. His extensive experience has mainly been in quoted companies in the Textiles, Transport, Tourism, Industrial Services, Leisure, and Mining industries. Notably, as an Executive Chairman in the food sector, where he successfully executed a consolidation strategy within the fragmented fruit and vegetable industry.
Married with two daughters and six grandchildren, Tony enjoys leisure time with family and friends, walking and playing bridge. Tony is a Liveryman in The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.
Forefront's Professionals:
Meet Our Team
Toby Carmichael-Jack
With over a decade of industry experience, a Chartered ESG Investment Manager, and featuring as one of Citywire’s top financial advisers under the age of 35 in 2016, Toby has a prominent background in the financial services industry.
Providing comprehensive advice to individuals, families, businesses, trusts, and other complex asset structures. His expertise encompasses various facets of financial planning, such as tax structuring and planning, investment management, retirement planning, intergenerational planning, accumulation and decumulation cashflow forecasting, as well as protection strategies.
A Chartered ESG Investment Manager, a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, a member of the Personal Finance Society, and a member of Resolution, Toby established Forefront in 2023 as a trading style of Opal Financial Management. Valuing their robust and pragmatic proposition, he can ensure a high-quality tailored service for all clients.
Jonny Burtenshaw
A Chartered ESG Investment Manager and member of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), Jonny heads up Business Development for Forefront while completing his pathway to becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. He brings a diverse background in Business Development across sectors such as Events Management, Security Consulting, and the Automotive Industry. Jonny has also advised multiple start-ups in the fintech and digital space, maintaining a strong awareness of emerging technologies.
Please note that Jonny is not authorised or regulated to provide advice.
Nicholas Howell
With over three decades of experience in the financial services marketplace, Nick Howell currently serves as the Managing Director to Opal Financial Management, the firm that Forefront Independent Financial Advisory acts under. Nick acts for Forefront Independent Financial Advisory in an oversight capacity, ensuring clients are achieving the best possible outcomes.
Nick’s journey in the financial industry has taken him through a variety of roles, providing him with an extensive and diverse perspective.
Nick has always made it a priority to ensure that both clients and advisers would have access to cutting-edge technology. This technology empowers the identification of the most suitable solutions from across the Financial Marketplace, tailored to the unique needs of each individual client.
Nick takes immense pride in the consistently positive feedback and recognition that the adviser team at Forefront Independent Financial Advisory receives. If you wish to share your feedback or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Nick. Your insights and experiences are valued.
Nicole Spencer
Nicole Spencer is the Executive Assistant to Toby Carmichael-Jack With a professional partnership dating back to 2016, Nicole is dedicated to providing clients with an exceptional experience. With seven years of experience in the financial industry, Nicole offers a unique perspective.
Nicole’s dedication to professional growth is evident through her certifications. She is certified by FE Analytics and has passed the Financial Protection (R05) exam with the Personal Finance Society.
Nicole’s primary focus is ensuring clients receive exceptional quality support, assisting Toby in guiding clients through their financial journeys, and helping them make informed decisions.
Please note that Nicole is not authorised or regulated to provide advice.
Paraplanning Team
Our Contracted Paraplanning Team is composed of eight core members, featuring a flexible structure that can expand as service demand fluctuates, ensuring a consistently high standard is maintained.
Central to the paraplanning team is a robust focus on compliance, acknowledging its dynamic nature. The team continually enhances their expertise through ongoing education, drawing on years of experience to skillfully address even the most intricate client profiles.
Compliance remains at the core, given its ever-changing nature. The team are constantly advancing their knowledge through continuous education, leveraging their extensive experience to efficiently navigate all client profiles. This ensures the delivery of clear and intricately tailored advice utilising a wide variety of structures.
Tony Millar
Tony, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, completed his articles at J.H. Champness Corderoy Beesly & Co (now Saffery) attaining Associate Membership of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 1964, and becoming a fellow of the institute in 1974
Bringing a wealth of financial, commercial, and industrial expertise, Tony has played a pivotal role in supporting Toby in the establishment of Forefront Independent Financial Advisory. His extensive experience has mainly been in quoted companies in the Textiles, Transport, Tourism, Industrial Services, Leisure, and Mining industries. Notably, as an Executive Chairman in the food sector, where he successfully executed a consolidation strategy within the fragmented fruit and vegetable industry.
Married with two daughters and six grandchildren, Tony enjoys leisure time with family and friends, walking and playing bridge. Tony is a Liveryman in The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers.
