MEET THE TEAM

David O'Kane

Managing Director

David founded D O'Kane Financial Services in 2010 after previously working for another local IFA practice. Prior to this he spent 7 years at a High Street Bank where he worked as a Financial Consultant followed by a Financial Planning Manager and Regulated Induction Coach (Financial Adviser Trainer).

David believes strongly in providing impartial, unbiased, and objective financial advice, with a view to protecting and enhancing client’s wealth and sense of wellbeing in order to fully achieve their objectives. David advises both Personal and Commercial clients on all aspects of financial planning, with a particular interest in Retirement Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning. David was awarded the Diploma in Financial Planning in 2011 and also holds the relevant qualifications to provide Mortgage, Protection and Equity Release advice.

David has a property portfolio which he has built up over 20 years and he very much enjoys property renovation. In his latest project, he solely managed the refurbishment of the former NatWest Bank building on Gorleston High Street, which is now D O'Kane Financial Services Ltd.’s main office. David is interested in most sports as well as being a keen Liverpool fan. He also very much enjoys socialising and travelling.

George Utting

Financial Planner

George has over twenty-five years’ experience working as a Financial Planner. Prior to joining D O’Kane Financial Services Ltd, George ran his own Independent Financial Advice firm in Poringland, Norwich. In his early years, he worked for two leading law firms in East Anglia. George gained the Diploma in Financial Planning in 2005 and since then has achieved further qualifications including Pension Planning and Personal Investment Planning which were both at Advanced Diploma level.

George’s expertise covers all areas of financial planning, and he has a particular interest in providing advice to private clients who have accumulated wealth and those who have either reached or are nearing retirement. His areas of expertise include providing advice on Retirement Planning, including investment options and Inheritance Tax Planning.

George is married with two children. He enjoys family life and travelling, as well as playing golf.  

Simon Hands

Compliance Adviser

Simon has worked in Financial Services for over 30 years and has specialised in regulatory compliance since 2002. Simon works as an external consultant, offering independent guidance and advice to ensure we remain aware of regulatory developments and continue to meet the extensive rules and guidance issued by the Financial Conduct Authority. Having this support on hand allows us to manage the key risks within the business effectively and deliver advice and service that ensures customers achieve the best outcomes for their circumstances.

Simon is married and has two young children. Family commitments therefore account for most of Simon’s spare time. Simon is also a keen musician, playing guitar in a local covers band and he enjoys the occasional round of golf with friends when time permits.  

Mary Walsh

Paraplanner

Mary has worked in Financial Services for over 25 years with a Diploma in Financial Planning. Mary is technically minded and enjoys analysing and researching the best solutions to support the advice given to our clients by David and George.

Mary is married, with three teenage children and when not keeping abreast with all the regular changes in Financial Planning, Mary has a second career as a taxi driver for her children. She enjoys going on long walks with her family and spending as much time together as they can.  

Justin Williams

Paraplanner

Justin has over 30 years’ experience working in the Financial Service Sector. After leaving school at 16, Justin joined Norwich Union where he started as an administrator and has since enjoyed several different roles gaining further experience in administration and the financial services industry. Through his various roles and after gaining experience, Justin has also provided technical research for advisers and their clients, Justin ensures that all recommendations meet the client’s objectives after exploring various solutions.

Justin has passed his Diploma in Financial Service and also has the relevant certification to provide advice on mortgages, as well as Equity Release.

Justin has previously provided clients himself with mortgage and financial advice, however, more recently has been involved in assisting advisers with the required research to provide good quality advice, in a compliant manner.

Justin enjoys dealing with all different type of client scenarios such as investment and retirement planning. Justin also generates relevant suitability reports for when an adviser meets with a client to outline any recommendations and ensures that these are completed in a compliant and professional manner.

Justin is married and has one teenage daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys watching football (both his favourite team Liverpool FC as well as his daughters team), socialising with his family and friends but mainly his spare time is taken up by taxi-ing round his daughter to various football and other commitments.  

Martin Bowles

Senior Administrator

Martin has over 20 years of experience working within the Financial Services sector. His career started at Aviva for which his team was responsible for processing and ensuring the safe allocation of incoming payments into pension/protection and Healthcare plans. He transitioned to a Financial Advisors office in 2014 and started working as a Financial Administrator.

Martin is responsible for all investment applications ensuring we remain compliant and strives to achieve a “Right First Time“ approach. He enjoys being part of a strong, friendly, and dynamic team where we always put the client first.

Martin is married with two children. In his spare time, he enjoys Angling, Karate, DIY and walking.

Carole Melton

Mortgage Admin and Accounts

Following leaving college Carole had a successful career in business, working for a small group of companies for 18 years and working her way up through the business from the office junior to a director of the companies.  After the birth of her two children, she decided that it was time for a change of career and chose to concentrate on the part of her job that she enjoyed the most which was accountancy.  

Handling everything from sole trader accounts and tax returns to limited company annual accounts, processing VAT returns and running payroll and CIS returns Carole enjoyed the diversity of her role working for a small local accountancy firm. In March 2022, the opportunity arose for Carole to join our firm as a Mortgage Administrator/Trainee Mortgage Adviser.  Carole is enjoying the challenge of this new role and is currently working towards her Mortgage Adviser qualification.  Carole also heads up the accounts side of the practice allowing her to also utilise her existing accountancy skills.

Carole enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well her dog Lando.

Georgia Knowles

Financial Administrator

Georgia joined D O’Kane Financial Services in February 2022, after successfully completing her BA Hons in Business Management at the University of Suffolk.  

Prior to working in the Financial Services industry Georgia had a successful career within Social Care starting at just 17 years old and later developing into a Senior Management Position. After graduating, Georgia was keen to explore the Financial Services industry further and continues to look at accomplishing further academic goals throughout her career within the industry.  

Within Georgia’s role as a Financial Administrator, she provides support to both David and George, focusing on the preparation for client reviews and the process of obtaining financial information for new clients. Georgia has recently been developing into a more Senior Administrator role, including involvement in allocating client funds. Alongside this Georgia also leads our company marketing and social media content.  

Georgia enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Deanna Blyth-Clarke

Financial Administrator

Deanna joined D O’Kane Financial Services in December 2024 as an apprentice taking up the role of an Apprentice Financial Administrator, shortly after completing her A-Levels in Business, Finance and Psychology.  

In June 2025, Deanna successful passed her Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics (R01) exam as part of her Apprenticeship. She has a strong interest in progressing through the financial adviser apprenticeship programme eventually and is enthusiastic about expanding her knowledge within the industry.  

Before joining the team, Deanna worked part time in hospitality for 3 years whilst completing her studies where she also developed excellent people skills and strong time management abilities.  

Outside of work, Deanna enjoys hiking and spending time with her boyfriend, family and friends. Deanna also has a soft spot for her German Shepards.

Colin Waters

Office Maintenance

Colin joined D O’Kane Financial Services in 2021 as our Accounts Administrator after 34 years with an international oil services company. Colin has recently taken up a new role of Office Maintenance. Although Colin is part time, he enjoys being part of a strong, friendly team that are focused on delivering a premier service to all of their clients in a friendly hands-on manner. As a long time client of the company, he appreciates the requirements of the clientele that D O’Kane Financial Services Limited strive hard to work for.

Colin is a keen clay shot and very reluctant gardener, Colin is also a member of several societies with local interest.