Our People

Seonaid Mackenzie is the Executive Director of The Sturgeon Group Limited (trading as Sturgeon Compliance Services) and founder of award winning Sturgeon Ventures LLP, as of 1998, which began as a single family office, incubating companies from that day – known as the Venture Catalyst. Sturgeon Ventures moved into the speciality of incubating Financial Services brands as well as individuals and in December 2001 pioneered “Regulatory Incubation” for the first time as individuals became approved persons under the Financial Services Authority (FSA) migrating from The SFA and IMRO now known as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In 2005 Seonaid pioneered the 1st wholesale Appointed Representative Firm (AR) in the wholesale industry now known as Regulatory Hosting, until then the AR was for Retail business only.

Seonaid’s career in financial services started in 1985 spanning 13 years as a US Equity Institutional Stockbroker at well-known firms to launching the first paid independent research product in the UK, Off the Record Research in 1995, which was paid out of CSA. Seonaid has been a corporate finance advisor, pre and post Sturgeon leading a number of transactions both M&A and asset raising. In April 2007 Seonaid achieved the Corporate Finance Qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Seonaid has been a Compliance Officer and MLRO in the past.

Seonaid is a Portfolio Manager, sitting on internal Investment Committees. Seonaid has advised and managed numerous family office portfolios personally, whilst also being a member of Fund Boards on and offshore.

Seonaid sits on the Finance and Management Committee of the Firm.

Seonaid is an innovator and a genuine out of the box thinker. Outside of her busy work schedule, she mentors individuals and is a frequent speaker in schools on various subjects including the journey of a female entrepreneur. In her spare time Seonaid looks after Sandy and Marley, the family Spaniels.

Seonaid has been a Citizen and Freeman of the City of London since 24th September 2008.

Chris is the Company Secretary for The Sturgeon Group Limited trading as 3 different sub-sectors, Sturgeon Compliance Services, Sturgeon Talent and The Sturgeon Design Studio and has worked with the firm since 2011.

With 17 years of experience in the accounting and  management information sector, Chris understands the importance of governance and operational due diligence. Chris highlights that it’s the most effective way to provide clients with detailed information on how their business is performing on a regular basis. Chris supports many of the Sturgeon Clients with their accounting management as well as Operational Due Diligence preparation for companies looking to be acquired by a third party.

Kirsten Bedford is the Executive Assistant to Seonaid supporting the day-to-day operations of The Sturgeon Group Limited’s business and managing various initiatives and projects across the organisation.

Kirsten has over 18 years’ experience, having supported a number of UHNWIs in all aspects of their personal and professional lives, across a range of industries with interests spanning Politics, PR, Fashion, Retail, Philanthropy, Real Estate and Finance. Kirsten joins Sturgeon from an UHNW Single Family Office, where she was the Executive Assistant to the Principal.

Alex Brown, Senior Marketing Associate, is the longest standing member of the current team, having joined Sturgeon in 2008 as Seonaid’s Executive PA. Alex came to Sturgeon from Goldman Sachs, where she was the Assistant to two Senior Partners. She has had many roles throughout her tenure at Sturgeon, embracing our marketing role five years ago. Her activities include the co-ordination of new enquiries, liaising with the Sturgeon on-boarding team, through to the approvals of all new approved persons as they become fully embedded into the Sturgeon incubation journey. Alongside this, Alex also runs Seonaid’s busy work schedule.

Alex loves a challenge and spearheads Sturgeon’s volunteering and charity events, most recently, a 26 mile sponsored walk and Ride the Night.

Sarah is an experienced Communications Officer with 3 decades of PR and Marketing. She began her career as a journalist in national magazines, transitioning to B2B more than 10 years ago. An accomplished PR and Marketing Director, she uses her editorial skills to create compelling and wide-ranging content for clients across the board. As an editor she has launched several magazines in the UK in sectors including healthcare, infrastructure and aviation alongside consumer magazines. She has an MA in Modern History from the University of Oxford.

Terri is a Compliance Analyst. Terri is a member of the compliance team active in the monitoring of the Appointed Representative Firms within Sturgeon, assisting with SM&CR training, as well as general compliance support. Terri has over 20 years compliance experience and over 35 years industry experience having previously worked at an investment bank, an investment management firm and has been a secondee at the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Robin is a Senior Compliance Analyst and an Associate Member of CISI working to obtain Chartered Membership. He has over 18 years experience in the Finance industry in a variety of Compliance, Testing and Control roles.

Sarah Mason is an Associate within the Compliance Team working across various projects including the onboarding of new ventures such as Appointed Representative Firms of Sturgeon Ventures and their Approved Persons, as well as Certified Persons within Sturgeon itself. Sarah also supports firms that have spun out of Sturgeon and are now directly authorised. Sarah joined Sturgeon in 2024, having worked for 20 years in administrative roles.

Stephanie is a Senior Compliance Analyst and a member of the Portfolio Management Oversight team. She has over 5 years’ experience in Compliance, leading on Financial Promotions for the firm, and over 25 years industry experience having previously managed international fixed income and currencies for institutional portfolios. She has a degree in Economics.

Becky Neill is the Compliance Manager and a member of the Compliance and Risk Committee, with the compliance analysts reporting to her. She is responsible specifically for the monitoring of the Appointed Representative Firms within Sturgeon as well as general compliance support. Becky has over 15 years compliance experience previously working in Japanese and German Investment Banks in the city.

Specialist Advisor

Tom joined Sturgeon in 2011, as a specialist advisor and brings +25 years of finance, governance, risk and operations consultancy experience having worked in financial services across the asset management sector.

Tom has held senior management positions at FCA regulated firms (SMF) such as management and as a compliance officer. Tom qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998. 

Whilst Tom’s knowledge and expertise covers a broad scope of topics in risk and operations, he has also expertise in drafting and implementation of ICAAP/ICARA documentation, liquidity risk management frameworks, enhanced risk registers and risk and control mapping and procedures. 

Joe joined The Sturgeon Group in 2021 as an Operations Special Projects Analyst having gained a degree in Financial Mathematics.

Specialist Advisor

Nick joined the Sturgeon team in 2023 to assist in the acceleration of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) across their life cycles from start up to growth to sale and buyouts, Nick has invaluable set of skills in governance, risk, compliance and business and technology solutions.

Nick launched his investment career as a serial Fintech Founder, most recently with digital disruptor Mojo, a company acquired by RVU in July 2021.

Over the last decade, Nick led multimillion-pound investment rounds from Seed to Series A. Partnering with UK & European private equity and venture capital funds and one of the oldest mutual societies in the UK.

Nick held positions of chair of the executive board and chair of the risk committee under the FCA senior managers & certification regime. He led his ventures to numerous accolades, notably innovation of the year at the British Bank Awards and the Government backed initiative ‘OpenUp 2020 Challenge’ led by Nesta.

As founder of a successful financial management business. Nick was responsible for processing and managing the distribution of £12m client funds and led a strategic M&A deal in 2013, resulting in a 40% revenue growth for the group.

Nick sat as director of the trade association and initiated a corporate alliance with a leading UK financial intermediary to expedite growth of the sector. He later led the business through a to successful exit in 2016.

He currently holds the role of chairman in a strategic land acquisition venture along with NXD positions In security SaaS, FinTech and eCommerce.

A passionate activator with a natural anticipation of a better tomorrow, Nick focuses on the exceptional people who will define our future, through innovation, a strong social consciousness, and the creation of forward- thinking projects.

As part of the Ernst & Young foundation, Nick provided guidance, support and mentoring to aspiring future founders. EY later recognised Nick as a finalist in the prestigious Entrepreneur of the year awards 2019.

Specialist Advisor

Sarah has an English degree from Oxford University and is a UK qualified solicitor, joining Sturgeon in 2016 as a specialist advisor. Sarah has been in the legal and financial services industry for +35 years, working across the spectrum from capital markets to asset management, both in banks and inhouse in senior front office and advisory roles. Sarah is an experienced proofreader, particularly focussing over the last 15 years on academic documentation and technical manuscripts. 

Sturgeon Design Studio

Brand Identity & Design Director 
Margaux provides Sturgeon with an abundance of creative ideas. Her unique style adds a dynamic quality to creative output with a keen eye for each project.

Sturgeon Design Studio

With a degree in Film and Media and a passion for storytelling across all mediums, Matthew has spent the past five years crafting dynamic brand narratives that resonate with culture. Matthew’s work is driven by a deep fascination with how people engage with media and the ever-evolving intersection of strategy, creativity, and technology. Mathew has worked with a diverse range of clients, spanning fashion, music, and forward-thinking startups, continuously refining his skills as a designer and strategist.

As a versatile creative, Matthew brings expertise to The Sturgeon Design Studio in graphic design, strategic brand building, and marketing. Whether shaping a brand identity, producing immersive video content, or enhancing digital experiences, Matthew merges aesthetics with strategy to create impactful, results-driven work.

Sturgeon Talent

Specialist Talent Advisor
Paul Cook brings 25 years’ experience in executive search, helping clients secure top-tier talent and providing strategic advisory for family offices, investors, and portfolio companies worldwide. Known for his straightforward, results-driven approach, Paul has built, grown, and successfully exited several executive search firms, demonstrating deep insight into the complexities of leadership and board-level recruitment.

Paul believes that while technical skill is essential, it is cultural fit that truly drives success.

As a founder of an award-winning behavioural analytics company, he understands that aligning values and vision can lead to the most successful outcomes for both clients and candidates.

Paul’s work spans the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, where he leverages his extensive network to connect organisations with high-calibre talent. Paul is senior advisor to a technology company providing data and AI solutions to the financial services industry as well as Chairman of the charity, Erase Meso. 

Thanks to Jane Cox Photography for all the photos of Our People on this website.

https://www.janecoxphotography.com