Lizz Ewart
Managing Director/Compliance Oversight
Lizz Ewart has spent more than three decades advising, leading and transforming regulated financial services businesses. As Managing Director of CAM Wealth Group Limited and SMF16 (Compliance Oversight), she combines commercial insight with deep expertise in FCA regulation, governance and strategic leadership.
Having held senior positions with organisations including JP Morgan Fleming, Schroders, Barings, Aberdeen Asset Management, F&C and Amati Global Investors, Lizz has extensive experience of working with private clients, boards, advisers and investors. She has successfully led businesses through acquisitions, operational change and regulatory transformation while maintaining a strong focus on governance, client outcomes and long-term growth.
Known for her collaborative approach, sound judgement and ability to navigate complex situations, Lizz is trusted by clients, colleagues and professional partners to provide clear leadership and practical solutions in an increasingly regulated environment.
Derek Gawne
Director, Adviser, Investment Manager – Chartered Fellow FCSI
Derek has over 25 years’ experience in Financial and Investment Businesses and is a Chartered Fellow, he is level 6 qualified and is able to provide Financial Advice and Discretionary Investment Management Services (via our preferred partner Charteris Treasury Portfolio Managers).
Derek began his career working for an Independent Financial Adviser where he qualified by examination as an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Subsequently, Derek has worked for a number of Investment Management Businesses creating an Intermediary Sales Force and was tasked with creating Regional Services. Consequently, he qualified as a Chartered Fellow of the Securities Institute (FCSI).
As the Regional Director, for two large Investment houses, Derek formed two branches offering Discretionary Services from scratch – forming teams of Investment Managers and Administrators.
James Smeed
Director / Chair
James has over 15 years financial services experience, having started his career with KPMG in audit and assisting in transaction services.
He joined Manx Financial Group PLC in August 2012 as Group Head of Finance and was appointed to the Conister Bank’s Board as Finance Director in 2017 and to the Group’s Board in 2021.
He is both a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser and Treasurer of the Isle of Man Bankers Association.
Bryan O’Connor
Associate Director | Insurance Advisory – Dip CII, Chartered MCSI
Bryan started his insurance career in 2009 with one of the world’s leading brokerage groups, where he oversaw insurance programs for businesses of all sizes. He joined Manx Financial Group PLC in 2016 and specialises in insurance solutions for SME’s and professionals.
He is a Past President of the Insurance Institute of the Isle of Man and holds the Diploma in Insurance and Certificate in London Market Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute. He is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment and an authorised Debt Councillor with the local Debt Advice Service.
Ben Hall
Administrative Assistant
Ben attained his honours degree in Finance and Accounting from the University of Liverpool in 2017.
Ben then worked for a number tech start ups, where he was responsible for marketing and content creation; this Included turning learning material into short form questions for a large number of clients in the finance industry. Ben also had the opportunity to work with other industries, in widely relevant content, for example writing questions to help people learn GDPR rules when it was first implemented.
In 2019, Ben worked in admin for an Insolvency Company before joining Charteris Asset Management in 2022 and then CAM Wealth Group Limited in 2023.
