David Dodgson
David has expert knowledge in achieving optimal financial outcomes during divorce negotiations and post-divorce settlements. He has a great ability to demystify the complexities around pensions on divorce, and as a result, this has proved of great value to both clients and matrimonial solicitors.
In addition to his expertise in financial planning for divorce, David is also an Accredited Pension Transfer Gold Standard Specialist, helping to advise on the best course of action for potential defined benefit pension transfers.
With over twenty years of experience working in financial advice, David’s expertise is widely recognised and he has supported articles in publications such as The Times, International Adviser and the Financial Times. He has led and presented webinars on topics such as intergenerational wealth planning and retirement planning, where he makes complex financial advice subjects easier to understand. As a result of the valuable support he offers his clients, David has been a VouchedFor top rated adviser for the past few consecutive years.
When he is not providing his expert knowledge to his clients, David can be found ferrying his son to football and clearing up after his daughter’s pony!
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
- Financial Planning Certificate
- Certificate in Life & Pensions
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Working in financial advice for over 20 years
- Featured on Sky News and BBC Moneybox
Meet our expert team
Our team members have extensive experience in the UK financial and investment industries and our in-house specialists can help with matters such as safeguarded benefit pension transfers, long-term care or equity release. From specialists to support members, The Private Office is home to some of the finest Chartered independent financial advisers in the UK.
What people say about me
David listened very carefully to what I wanted to do in my retirement and assessed how I could best achieve my goals. He then set out a process that allowed me to maximise my lump sum and create a drawdown pension pot. The drawdown gives me flexibility in amounts drawn each year. I could not have done this without David's advice and support through a complex financial process.
October 2025
David stays on top of changes in the markets and advises me to move my money to better options available. He has helped map out my retirement income, looked at my saving goals and investment strategies around my lifestyle and future needs. Having someone to check in with helps me stick to a plan the way a coach keeps an athlete on track.
September 2025
Daniel Schofield
Daniel’s advice is predominantly focused on the disciplines of personal and corporate financial planning, investment portfolio management, inheritance tax (IHT) planning and mitigation, legacy and succession planning, and cash-based investments. He works closely with a trusted group of professional peers to provide a truly holistic service to clients which is both advice and solution-orientated.
Working in financial advice since 1997, Daniel trained with a Harrogate-based firm of Independent Financial Advisers before joining Chase de Vere Financial Advisers as an Area Manager and practicing financial planner.
Daniel holds a Diploma in Financial Planning, a Certificate in Financial Planning and Certificate in Life & Pensions. He is also the Vice Chair of the internal Investment Committee (TPOIC) and a regular contributor and presenter on the global markets and asset allocation at seminars across Yorkshire.
Outside of work, Daniel enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking and running, and he is a proficient scuba diver.
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Certificate in Financial Planning
- Certificate in Life & Pensions
- Working in the finance industry since 1997
- Significant experience in senior positions at financial advisory firms
- Experience advising owners of private companies
Meet our expert team
Our team members have extensive experience in the UK financial and investment industries and our in-house specialists can help with matters such as safeguarded benefit pension transfers, long-term care or equity release. From specialists to support members, The Private Office is home to some of the finest Chartered independent financial advisers in the UK.
What people say about me
Daniel came up with a clear proposal to mitigate my mother's IHT exposure, communicated it clearly and effectively to all involved and executed it efficiently. Sadly my mother died earlier this year but the actions he put in place have significantly reduced the IHT liability on her estate.
January 2025
Daniel and his team have been a great help in planning our financial stability in our retirement years. I don’t think they could have done any better.
July 2024
Daniel Blandford
Daniel is a specialist in many areas of financial planning including defined benefit pensions, investing and long-term care insurance and can offer services and support for these across the South West.
Daniel is a Pension Transfer Gold Standard Specialist, was named in the 2023 PAM NextGen Leaders list, and has been a VouchedFor Top Rated Adviser for the past few consecutive years. He also manages a team of Advisers and is actively involved in mentoring new colleagues and sharing his experience and knowledge.
In addition to being a Fellow of the PFS, Daniel has numerous other qualifications including certificates in equity release, securities advice and dealing, and discretionary investment management.
When he is not advising his clients, Daniel enjoys travelling, history and rugby.
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Award in Pensions Update
- Award in Long Term Care Insurance
- Certificate in Equity Release
- Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management
- Certificate in Financial Services
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice
- Certificate in Securities Advice & Dealing
- Chartered Financial Planner since 2017
- Published contributor on thisismoney.co.uk
- As featured in PAM Insight NextGen Leaders list
- Pension Transfer Gold Standard Specialist
Meet our expert team
Our team members have extensive experience in the UK financial and investment industries and our in-house specialists can help with matters such as safeguarded benefit pension transfers, long-term care or equity release. From specialists to support members, The Private Office is home to some of the finest Chartered independent financial advisers in the UK.
What people say about me
Daniel provided great expertise and advice, which enabled me to feel confident that I have the funds and a detailed plan to ensure a comfortable financial retirement. Daniel is very personable, as well as analytical. I feel in very safe hands.
January 2026
He is extremely organised and efficient; very personable and easy to work with. He comprehensively follows up on all points discussed in a very timely fashion. We are in retirement now and simply looking to protect rather than grow our assets, so our needs are relatively easy. However Daniel, still provides us with a comprehensive, detailed and well researched service.
December 2025
Alex Hatfield
Alex specialises in lifetime financial planning and cash-flow modelling to empower clients to take control of their financial future and achieve complete financial independence. His experience also includes defined benefit pension transfers and he is one of several Pension Transfer Gold Standard Specialists at TPO.
In addition to being a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society (PFS), he is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments and has certificates in Financial Planning & Lifetime Mortgage Activities, Financial Planning & Long Term Care Insurance and Life & Pensions.
Alex graduated from the University of Hull with a BSc in Economics and has worked in financial advice for over thirty years, joining and becoming a Partner of The Private Office in 2014. He has provided comments for a number of publications, including the Financial Times, The Telegraph, and FT Adviser.
When he is not working with clients, Alex can be found cycling in France and the Chilterns, running marathons and, when not being led a merry dance by three teenage daughters, is an avid enthusiast of music and silent film. He is also a committee member and active volunteer for Project Volunteer – a small charity that works alongside SOS Children’s Villages in Botswana to help support and develop resources for its orphanages.
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments
- Financial Planning Certificate
- Certificate in Equity Release
- Award in Pensions Update
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice
- Certificate in Financial Planning & Lifetime Mortgage Activities
- Certificate in Financial Planning & Long Term Care Insurance
- Certificate in Life & Pensions
- Award in Long Term Care Insurance
- Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Fellow of the Personal Finance Society
- Published contributor to the Financial Times, The Telegraph and FT Adviser
- Pension Transfer Gold Standard Specialist
- Over 30 years experience in financial planning
Meet our expert team
Our team members have extensive experience in the UK financial and investment industries and our in-house specialists can help with matters such as safeguarded benefit pension transfers, long-term care or equity release. From specialists to support members, The Private Office is home to some of the finest Chartered independent financial advisers in the UK.
What people say about me
Alex has allowed us to move ahead confidently without day to day worries about our financial security. Alex’s calm, considerate and reassuring manner has been of enormous benefit to us as we worked through our financial plans.
September 2025
Alex is an experienced professional who I trust implicitly to help me make the right decisions that fit my circumstances and objectives.
July 2025
Robert Morse
As an experienced Chartered Financial Planner, Robert’s expertise lies in delivering comprehensive financial counsel to individuals and families across a spectrum of financial planning domains. From adept investment management to meticulous retirement planning, personal financial structuring, and establishing tax-efficient frameworks, he specializes in ensuring a holistic financial approach.
Robert’s clientele is diverse, ranging from families to enterprising entrepreneurs and business owners, where he offers strategic insights into financial and legacy planning, including nuanced guidance on Lifetime Cashflow Planning and navigating the financial complexities following the loss of a key stakeholder.
As a member of our Family Office team, Robert collaborates closely with fellow professionals in tax, law, banking, and accountancy to optimize outcomes for his clients across the UK. Additionally, he lends his expertise as an Expert Witness in cases concerning disputed investments, leveraging his knowledge and experience to provide invaluable insights.
Throughout his career, Robert has held diverse roles - from director to managing partner to heading investment committees - yet his focus has always remained on client advisory, which he has always enjoyed the most. Grounded in principles of simplicity, empathy, persistence, and integrity, Robert believes in unravelling intricate financial dilemmas, strategies, and solutions in a language that resonates with all of his clients. Over the years, he has cultivated expertise in the Media and Entertainment industry, specifically catering to the distinctive financial needs of high-profile individuals and their families within the music realm. As one can imagine, there are other challenges that arise when the client is a cherished household name.
When he is not providing financial counsel to his clients, Robert enjoys staying fit, running, country pursuits, motor racing, and spending time with his family in the Yorkshire countryside.
- Chartered Financial Planner
- Associateship
- Financial Planning Certificate
- Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning
- Diploma in Financial Planning
- Co-founded The Private Office with six other founding partners in 2008
- Chartered Financial Planner since 2016
- Previous positions include Director, Managing Partner, and Head of Investment Committees
- Assets entrusted to Robert and his team total over £225 million
Meet our expert team
Our team members have extensive experience in the UK financial and investment industries and our in-house specialists can help with matters such as safeguarded benefit pension transfers, long-term care or equity release. From specialists to support members, The Private Office is home to some of the finest Chartered independent financial advisers in the UK.
What people say about me
Robert has advised me for very many years and his advice has been invaluable, ensuring I take decisions based on excellent data and sound advice.
December 2026
Approachable, knowledgeable and professional. Robert is a great listener and uses his wealth of experience to identify the most appropriate course of action to achieve our financial goals. I am happy to recommend him to anyone seeking advice of this nature.