Karen Barwick

Director

Karen Barwick has a wealth of experience and knowledge having been in the financial services industry for nearly 30 years. She started her career with Standard Life, then obtained her law degree while at Momentum Financial Services before setting up Laurus Associates with Colin in 2002.

Karen leads on advising corporate clients and her deep understanding of the industry ensures she always offers the best advice with exceptional professionalism and proficiency.

She became a Chartered Financial Planner in 2009 and is primarily involved in advising the personal and corporate pre and post-retirement market, including pension property purchases and Auto Enrolment market.

In 2019, Karen was also awarded an accreditation with the Society Of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).

In her spare time, Karen is a massive ''Corrie'' fan partial to a good box set, when not hydro fighting at the gym.

Colin Dawson

Director

Colin has over 38 years of experience in financial services and has worked for a number of organisations including Newcastle Building Society, Standard Life, and Momentum Financial Services before setting up Laurus Associates with Karen Barwick in 2002.

Genuine and personable, Colin is passionate about helping clients to achieve a financially secure future. He will advise you on all aspects of personal investment, tax planning and Trust investments, ensuring you get to grips with complex information to ensure you make the right decisions for your personal financial future. 

Outside the office Colin follows both Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons and is a regular at Speedflex in Jesmond.

Diane Hewitt

Senior Sales Support Administrator

Diane has been in the financial services industry for over 30 years, mainly in the IFA market, but also with a short dabble in the stockbroking world. 

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Starting as a secretary straight from school, Diane has progressed with her knowledge and experience to make the role of Sales Support uniquely hers. So if you have a query about your investments, Diane will be the one with your answer.

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Currently studying towards her Diploma having attained her Certificate in Financial Planning in July 2017. She is a Sunderland supporter and also a keen follower of the F1 (with her mum).

Abby Turnbull

Sales Support Administrator

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Starting her career straight from school in Carlisle, Abby has over 8 years of experience working in Financial Services. Her background is mainly Pensions and Cash Management, having worked for two widely known SIPP providers across the UK.

Abby joined us in September 2019 and is now studying towards her Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning, with the intention of progressing further in the future.

Outside of work when she isn’t deeply invested in a TV series at home, Abby is a huge fan of live music, travelling with family and a good pint of craft beer!

Amanda Robson

Sales Support Administrator

Following the completion of a Business Management degree at Northumbria University, Amanda has been working in financial services for the last two years. She has gained experience working with and providing pensions and investment solutions for clients as well as supporting advisers and employers with their Auto Enrolment schemes. She is now looking to expand her knowledge through exposure to a wider client audience and products offered by our company. 

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Outside of the office, Amanda is a huge Manchester United fan (sorry), a keen baker, and enjoys sampling the finest spirits the bars and pubs that Newcastle has to offer. 

Amanda Robson

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Following the completion of a Business Management degree at Northumbria University, Amanda has been working in financial services for the last two years. She has gained experience working with and providing pensions and investment solutions for clients as well as supporting advisers and employers with their Auto Enrolment schemes. She is now looking to expand her knowledge through exposure to a wider client audience and products offered by our company. 

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Outside of the office, Amanda is a huge Manchester United fan (sorry), a keen baker, and enjoys sampling the finest spirits the bars and pubs that Newcastle has to offer. 

Patricia Fish

Sales Support Administrator

After living most of her life in the Philippines, Patsy moved to the UK in 2016 and soon after, started her career in financial services at the age of 17 through an apprenticeship focused mainly on mortgages. She is now keen on broadening her knowledge through exposure to pensions and investments.

Outside of work, Patsy loves travelling the world and is passionate about showcasing the beauty of the destinations she has visited through photography.

Beth was first introduced to Laurus Associates in 2018 through periods of work experience during summer breaks from University. Now graduated with a First Class honours degree in Business with Financial Management from Northumbria University, she will soon be starting her studies working towards a diploma in Financial Services. Outside of work, Beth enjoys walks, eating out & espresso martinis.

Beth Smith

Sales Support Administrator

Michael Kinleyside

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On leaving school, Michael completed an advanced apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering.  Having decided engineering wasn’t his calling, he then went to Sunderland University and achieved a First Class Honours degree in Business and financial Management, before joining our industry in 2018.

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Continuing with his academic success, Michael has passed our industry exams and was awarded the Diploma in financial Planning in 2021.

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In his spare time, he is a keen footballer, and Liverpool supporter.  He enjoys going to the gym, and hopes soon to resume his love of travelling.

Joelle Barwick

Graduated in July 2020, Joelle joined us in 2017 and her role sits within anything design or digital orientated, and is responsible for our content marketing.

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Marketing