Our UK Team
Our UK team operate out of the Bath office primarily but travel extensively throughout the UK.
James Sullivan
Managing Director (UK) & Fund Manager
James co-founded Coram Asset Management in 2014 which was subsequently acquired by MitonOptimal International in 2016. James is Managing Director of the UK business and is responsible for managing the multi-asset funds and sits on the International Investment Management Committee.
James has worked in financial services since 1999 as a founding member of iimia plc. Growth of the business saw the acquisition of Exeter Fund Managers, Miton Asset Management and Midas Capital Partners and rebranded as Miton Group plc. James was appointed co-manager of the Miton Special Situations and Miton Strategic Portfolios in 2008.
Peter Geikie-Cobb
Senior Fund Manager
Peter was Managing Director of Matterley, the fund management division of Charles Stanley, from 2015 to 2016 where he also managed the Bond Opportunities Fund. From 2003 he served as a Partner and Fund Manager at Thames River Capital LLP until May 2014. In 2002, Peter was Head of Global Fixed Income at Insight Investment, managing retail and institutional mandates. From 1992 to 2002, he held various positions at Mercury Asset Management and Merrill Lynch Investment Managers including Head of European Bonds, Chairman of the Fixed Income Investment Officers Group, Investment Officer for Global Fixed Income, and Managing Director. Peter managed institutional mandates and onshore and offshore funds. Prior to that, he managed global bond mandates at Baring Asset Management. Peter started his investment management career in 1985 with Aall Investment Management.
Peter joined MitonOptimal in 2018, joining James Sullivan as co-manager on the Coram multi-asset funds as well as sitting on the International Investment Management Committee.
Mel Kennard
Operations Director
Mel co-founded Coram Asset Management in 2014 which was subsequently acquired by MitonOptimal International in 2016 and acts as Operations Director of the UK business. Mel has over eighteen years’ experience within the financial services industry, having previously held posts at City Financial Managers Ltd & Miton Group plc, and is IMC qualified.
Mel directed the launch of the Coram multi-asset funds and was appointed a Director of Coram Investment Funds plc, the UCITS vehicle for which MitonOptimal are the Investment Manager. With a focus on the operational side of the business, Mel’s responsibilities include the appointment and ongoing relationship with key service providers, managing systems and controls, compliance oversight and all aspects of HR.
Paul Warner
Head of Portfolio Management
In 1972, Paul embarked on a career in the investment industry at Grieveson Grant stock brokers in the City of London. He chose to specialise in collective investments in 1978, setting up and running a unit trust discretionary portfolio management service (UTDPMS). Paul joined Stock Beech & Co, Bristol stockbrokers in 1980 before moving to Charterhall Management Services in 1987, establishing a UTDPMS at each company respectively.
In 1991, Paul founded Minerva Fund Managers where he was responsible for managing portfolios both for individuals and third party funds on a discretionary basis. In 1994, Paul began to run discretionary SRI Portfolios for clients before launching an additional series of model portfolios in 2006 which included both SRI and Ethical Portfolios for clients of introducing IFAs. Following MitonOptimal’s acquisition of Minerva in 2017, Paul now acts as Head of Portfolio Management for the Model Portfolio Service and is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Sarah Warner
Analyst
Following the acquisition of Minerva Fund Managers in 2017, Sarah joined MitonOptimal as part of the fund management team. Sarah’s role encompasses the research and development of investment ideas, fund due diligence and platform administration.
Sarah graduated from Cardiff University with a degree in psychology as well as a Master’s degree in social work.
More recently, as a Chartered member of the CISI, Sarah has achieved various accreditations including the Diploma in Investment Compliance and Level 6 Certificate in Private Client Investment Advice & Management.
Liam Wyatt
Operations & Client Support Manager
Liam joined Coram Asset Management, which was subsequently acquired by MitonOptimal International, shortly after the firm’s inception in 2014. Liam’s focus is on developing the brand and directing the company’s marketing efforts, establishing MitonOptimal as a recognisable name within the boutique fund management space, in conjunction with providing support to the client base.
Prior to MitonOptimal, Liam developed his industry knowledge by working with wealth management platforms Novia and Ascentric, occupying roles in both administration and client services, respectively.
Phil Penrose
Head of UK Sales
With over 20 years of industry experience, Phil is responsible for the distribution of the MitonOptimal Model Portfolio Service as well as the Coram multi-asset funds.
Phil has an Honours degree in Financial Services from the University of the West of England and holds the full Financial Planning Certificate from the UK’s Chartered Insurance Institute. Prior to joining MitonOptimal, Phil held senior roles with both Zurich and Swiss Life, assisting with the launch and distribution of various products including the 7IM Model Portfolio Service and Sterling Trust range.
Meet the International Investment Management Committee
The Investment Management Committee (IMC) consists of professional investment staff from across the MitonOptimal group of companies, utilising their collective experience and skills to monitor global markets and proactively manage the investment decisions of the MitonOptimal International team.
