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Your money should serve the life you want to live. Not the other way round

That's what financial advice should be about. Your life. Your goals. Your future. Not a figure in the bank.

"There had to be a better way to do this."

Shaun Hiscox - Co-founder & Director at Castra Financial

What is your rich life? The way you actually want to live?

This question is why we started Castra. Shaun Hiscox and Chris Evans both spent years as financial advisers. They were good at it. But they kept coming back to the same feeling.

Conversations that started with how you want to live, not what we want to sell. A door that was open to anyone, no matter how much they had to invest. You don’t need to be wealthy to deserve proper financial advice. You just need to care about getting it right.

Most of the people we work with are building towards a future they want to feel confident about. Some have a clear picture of what they want. Others just know something needs to change but aren’t sure where to start. Both are fine. That’s what the first conversation is for.

We also work with business owners planning their exit, families navigating inheritance tax, and couples who want to make sure what they have built together is structured to last.

We give independent financial advice. That means we don’t work for a bank, we don’t earn commission on what we recommend, and we have no ties to any provider. We don’t sell products. We build plans. And we review them regularly, because your life doesn’t stand still and neither should your financial plan.

100+

Years of experience

5000+

Clients helped

Two paths. One goal.

Individuals

You have been saving for years, but is it enough?

Pensions from old jobs, different savings accounts, a retirement date that feels closer than it used to. Nobody has ever shown you the full picture: what are your options? How do you maximise your money? How can it enable your ideal life? We help you build a clear financial plan to build the life you actually want.

Business Owners

You have built something successful. Have a plan for what's next?

Your wealth is tied up in the business. Whether you’re thinking about tax, planning for an exit, or making sure your personal finances match your business success, we can help. We work with many types of business owners to turn hard-earned success into an intentional financial future.

The people behind your plan

Shaun Hiscox

CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Shaun has worked in financial services since 2009 and co-founded Castra in 2020. He leads client relationships with a people-first approach, shaped by his 17 years in the profession. Outside of work, Shaun is a husband and a dad to his two children, a loyal Manchester United fan who will happily sit and watch almost any sport going, with the single exception of cricket. Shaun holds both the CeMAP and the DipFA qualifications.

Chris Evans

CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Chris has worked in financial services since 2013. He doesn’t measure success by the size of a pension or a portfolio. He measures it by what that money actually allows his clients to do. Outside of work, Chris is a huge sports fan, loves to travel whenever he gets the chance, and values time with family and friends above everything else. Chris is a member of the CII and holds a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.

Paul Thomas

COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Paul has 28 years of experience in financial services, including nearly a decade in Mayfair and the City as an Associate Director at UBS Wealth Management. At Castra, he oversees compliance and regulatory standards. A busy father of four, Paul is also an avid gym-goer. He holds the CII Diploma, the Investment Management Certificate (CFA Institute), the CISI Investment Advice Diploma, a BA Honours and a Postgraduate Law Diploma.

Mark Carnevale

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Mark has over 38 years in financial services, including more than 16 years as an Independent Financial Adviser, providing tailored, unbiased advice to individuals and families at every stage of life. Away from work, Mark is happiest in the kitchen, cooking for friends and family, or at the golf club chasing his ever-elusive golf ball. He holds the CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, the IMC and CII J06.

Kate Williams

WEALTH TECHNICAL TEAM

Kate has been with Castra for six years, where she handles letters of authority, pension and ISA transfer applications, and a wide range of technical administration work for the team. Before joining the team, she had built up her experience at Lloyds Bank and in telecoms procurement. Away from work, Kate is a proud mum to one daughter, the proud owner of a French Bulldog called Alf, and a thoroughly committed binge-watcher of box sets.

Bethan Maddox

MORTGAGE ADMINISTRATOR

Bethan joined Castra bringing with her over 20 years of experience in customer-facing roles, and she now handles administration and mortgage support across the team. Away from the office, she is a mum of two boys, and she spends much of her spare time out walking her two dogs, Bruce and Bear, catching up with all of her family, and settling in at home to watch a good film. Bethan holds an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Customer Service.

Sam Brook

PARAPLANNER

Sam holds a BSc in Economics, and at Castra he works closely alongside the advisory team, supporting them across a broad range of work that includes research, the preparation of suitability reports and portfolio analysis. Outside of work, Sam is a musician who plays both the drums and the bass guitar, and he is someone who enjoys staying active and staying engaged in team environments.

Phil Owens

PARAPLANNER

Phil brings over 15 years of experience across technical and client-facing roles to his current position at Castra, where he works to support the advisory team in delivering tailored financial plans for their clients. He holds a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Advice. Outside of work, Phil is married and has two children, and in his spare time he enjoys getting out for some skiing, tennis and swimming.

Liam Sandford

HEAD OF MARKETING

Liam leads Castra’s marketing strategy, brand and communications. He brings with him 10 years of experience leading marketing teams to drive business growth and increase revenue for the organisations that he works with. Outside of work, Liam is a 2x Best Selling Author, including the book Effortless Public Speaking, and he helps entrepreneurs communicate with impact so they can get noticed and build their business.

Vishal Mishra

FINANCIAL PLANNING SUPPORT

Vishal brings four years’ experience in financial planning, with a Master’s in Economics and an Accounting and Finance background. At Castra, he supports backend operations: client transfers, protection suitability reports and new business processing. A Certified Financial Planner, he holds certifications in equity research, derivatives and mutual fund distribution. Outside work, he’s a keen cricket fan who enjoys long drives with family.

Why clients choose Castra

Truly Independent

We are not tied to any bank, provider or product. Every recommendation is based on what is right for you. Nothing else. No sales targets. No product quotas. No shareholders to answer to.

A plan built around your life

We don’t start with the spreadsheet. We start with your rich life. Your financial plan is built around life, not the other way around.

We stay with you

This isn’t a one-off meeting. We review your plan regularly, adjust when things change, and make sure your money keeps working the way it should. You will always know where you stand.

Human, qualified & experienced

The team has all the qualifications you should expect. But the first thing clients tell us is that we listen, explain things clearly, and don’t make them feel rushed.

What Clients Have to Say

Castra have been great. They have taken great care of me for some years, making some smart investment choices as the time went by. The team has always kept me up to date, it’s been a constructive relationship.

ED WOOD

Working with Castra has allowed me to put a comprehensive financial plan in place with the aim of continuing my desired lifestyle during retirement. I receive regular updates from the team on the performance of my pension and they are proactive in recommending any changes.

LLOYD THOMAS

What really stands out is how achievable Castra has made my dream feel. Retiring by 45 no longer seems like a distant idea, but a realistic plan I can actually work towards. Every single person I’ve interacted with has been professional, supportive, and great to deal with.

CHANTELLE COOK

Castra have taken what little information I had and gave me great pension fund advice. I now have a clear view of what I have, what I want and how I go about getting it. I really do know my number and have the security of income protection for peace of mind.

CHRIS STEWART

Take the first step.
It costs nothing.

Book a free, no-commitment intro call. We talk about your life, your goals, and where you are right now. No paperwork. No pressure.

Download the Financial Planning Guide

Take your time. The guide walks you through how we can help, what the process looks like, and what good financial planning can do for your life.