Meet the team
At Soteria Planning we all share the same values and have the same end goal, we want to help to protect you, your family and your business.
The company was formed in January 2020 with the aim of offering a dynamic approach to Estate Planning, by being available for evening and weekend meetings. With a combined experience of twenty years, Soteria are experts at producing Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney which are bespoke to you and your situation. Our team will always strive to offer a professional service to guide you throughout the process.
Jamie Shepherd
Director and Owner
I am passionate about protecting my family and ensuring I leave a legacy behind for my loved ones. I love working with clients who are either writing a Will for the first time or reviewing their existing planning due to a life event such as retirement or marriage.
I wrote my first Will at the age of 27 when a wise person told me I needed to do it to protect my children. I feel it is really important that your voice is heard, and I can help you do this whether its during your lifetime through setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney or on death through your Will.
Jay-anne Dingwall
Will Writing Consultant
I am an inspirational, energetic, empathetic, solutions led member of the Soteria team!
I wrote my first Will at the age of 19, why might you ask…
I became a Mum at the tender age of 17, not something I would recommend but the new path my life took, shaped me and my future in an incredible way.
I had the realisation, that as life goes, I would be leaving this world before my daughter. It was time to ensure that I got to say who the best person to look after my daughter was and what should happen to everything I had worked hard for.
I have a “can do” attitude and an ability to put my clients at ease. When I’m not assisting my clients with their Estate Planning needs online and in person, I enjoy the wonderful Cornish countryside with my dog Alfie and I’m keen to keep my mind and body healthy by running and boxing.
Interesting Fact: I jumped out of a plane at 11,000ft to raise thousands for a primary school!
Leah Rickwood
Will Writing Consulant
After working in busy solicitor’s practices for over 20 years I wanted to change direction and work in an area of law which was more rewarding.
Becoming a Will Writer and Estate Planning Consultant has been an incredibly important role for me. As well as providing key legal documents for my clients, I can also provide them with peace of mind that their wishes have been recorded and will be carried out after they pass away.
I have three teenage children and protecting my family is really important to me. I want other people to be able to protect their families as well in the best way possible.
I am CILEx qualified at degree level in Wills and Succession, Equity and Trusts, Tort and Civil Litigation as well as client care skills and legal research and I have practiced as a fee earner in the following areas: Civil Litigation, Probate, Conveyancing and Debt Recovery, however, Wills and Succession has been by far the most rewarding for me and my clients.
I like to make time outside of work for my much loved Rugby club, charity work, reading a good book and a complete binge watch on Netflix!
Norman Vaughan
Will Writing Consultant
I developed a real interest in Wills & Estate Planning when having conversations with members of my community back in 2014. What became apparent was that families had worked incredibly hard to build their homes and there was a real sentimental value attached to the place where many took their first steps, shared memories and grew as families.
My passion increased when I heard stories of siblings having to sell their family homes to pay Inheritance Tax, or due to difficult family care scenarios. I wanted to talk to EVERYONE to see how best I could share the knowledge of protecting a place which had become a safe space for all families….home.
I enjoy connecting with families and connecting people, and at Soteria Planning I feel I have aligned with the best team whose main concern is putting the client first and doing so in the most professional manner.
Feel free to connect with me to have a discussion on how I can help to ensure you protect your home, family and business by reviewing your estate plans.
Mike Rousou
Will Writing Consultant
After a career spanning over 35 years in IT and Sales mainly in the financial services sector I decided it was time for new interests.
I wrote my first will on the birth of our children to help protect their future and it stayed untouched for many many years. I first came across Jamie and Soteria Planning when looking into rewriting our wills. It was shortly after that I took an interest in will writing and associated disaplines myself.
What I love about Soteria Planning is that the team put the client first and that fits squarely with my own ethos.
Steve
Will Writing Consultant
Following a successful casino industry career, where the sole objective was encouraging customers to part with cash for entertainment purposes, the time came for change and to positively readdress my direction.
I am now in a position where I help people to protect their assets and their generations’ assets to come.
Since becoming a father to two beautiful children, the importance of protecting my family and ensuring my wishes are carried out in the event of my death is essential to me.
Having the opportunity to help others with estate planning is very fulfilling and by providing established insight and advice I am able to help people to achieve their wishes.
In my down time I am a keen cyclist and golfer. Any opportunity to discuss circumstances over a round of golf are gladly welcomed!
Jodie Lythgoe
Will Writing Consultant
I am extremely passionate about my job and ensuring that my clients have made the right choices. Knowing that I have helped them to gain peace of mind in planning for their loved ones really does give me a great sense of satisfaction. I love to help people and make sure that I listen to each client’s individual needs.
I became a Will Writer 9 years after initially being told I needed one, I wish I had the knowledge then that I have now but, don’t we all?!
I am married to Craig and we have 5 children, a dog and during the weekend you will mainly find us racing our pigeons and spending time as a family! I realised that it was important to make sure that they are protected if anything was to happen to either of us.
Richard Dix
Will Writing Consultant
After leaving school at 16 I had a long and successful career in the Print Industry. Following that and after many conversations with Jamie since the business was formed, I decided to join Soteria Estate Planning so that I can try to help people protect the most valuable assets that they will ever have.
I am astounded to learn how many people don’t have a Will in place for this so that their wishes can be carried out as they would have wanted.
I have an interest in just about all sports and was a keen footballer, and am now a frustrated Golfer!
I am a firm believer in enjoying life to the full, and enjoy watching live sport, live music, going on holiday, and socialising with friends.
Antoinette Carstairs
Administration Manager
I am married to Iain and we have a daughter called Bella and a dog named Milo.
Being Italian, family means everything to me, so I spend a lot of my spare time with them.
I love summer holidays by the pool and socialising with friends.
I really enjoy going to the cinema and eating out.
Ann Woolfe
Non-Executive Director
I have 26 years’ experience across several disciplines gained in various financial services companies. In particular, Risk, Governance, HR, Recruitment and Financial Crime Prevention. I have recently decided to build a Non-Executive Director portfolio and along with supporting Soteria Planning, I am on the Boards of 3 Multi Academy Trusts in the education sector.
I am a seasoned runner. I completed the London Marathon in 2018 (hottest year on record) and I have completed several half marathons and 10K races. I recently won the Gatwick 5K for my age group, most importantly beating my sister into second place!
I live with my husband and our Spanish stray rescue dog, Sonny.