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info@blackwoodfp.co.uk

01244 338 160

Our Team

Meet the team at Blackwood Financial Planning. 

John Chadwick

Founder and Managing Director

James O Neill

Client Services

Jennie Chadwick

Appointments Co-ordinator

Gareth Wright

Financial Adviser

Our team have presented thousands of financial education events in the workplace throughout the UK in both the private and public sector since the 1980s.

This means we understand the often complex financial arrangements of workers and retirees, and we seek to explain where you are now and how best to meet your objectives.

We purposely don’t declare ourselves as wealth managers as we prefer to help ordinary people with their planning and do not have a minimum interest criteria.

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Expert Advice

Insights

Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates with our expert insights.

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You and your family

About You

See how we can help you plan for a secure financial future for you and your family. 

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Seven Steps to Success

Our Process

We have a seven-step process in delivering our financial planning service to you.

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Our Pedigree

Our team are highly experienced in delivering the best customer service to our clients. 

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About you

You may be retired, approaching retirement or simply planning for the next chapters of your life. You may just like to make the most of your savings/investments, are considering protection and estate planning. 

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Get in touch

John Chadwick

Founder and Financial Advisor

John launched Blackwood Financial Planning Ltd in 2026 with the objective of building a team of advisers and support staff to provide financial advice to individuals throughout the UK. We are called Blackwood because John lives in North Wales his house name is Coed Duon which is Welsh for Blackwood!

John started his career teaching Physics and Maths in Oxford and although he moved into a business role after two years of teaching, he realised that even though people may lack confidence and knowledge in a subject, they can learn complex ideas with the right support.

Ever since moving to the role of financial adviser John has been passionate about financial education in the workplace. He believes in equipping people with knowledge of financial matters so they can make informed decisions to help them plan.

John has 35 years’ experience as a regulated financial adviser and achieved the qualification status of Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Alongside his Financial Adviser role with Blackwood Financial Planning, John launched Planned Future Wellbeing in 2014 and since then they have delivered hundreds of personal finance training events to employees of Universities, Civil Service Departments, Local Authorities and the Private Sector.

John is a (long suffering!) Man Utd supporter and in his spare time he enjoys motor homing in the UK and Europe.

James O' Neill

Client Services

James joined Blackwood in January 2026 in a Client Services role, also supporting the administration team thanks to his extensive background in that area.

He began his career in financial services with NatWest Bank before achieving his goal of working alongside his father at Chadwick’s IFA, owned by John Chadwick. Over nearly 20 years there, James developed a deep understanding of financial administration and built a strong foundation in client service and operations.

Outside of work, James has a passion for music across a wide range of genres and enjoys exploring the hills of North Wales in his spare time.

Jennie Chadwick

Appointments Co-ordinator & Shareholder

Jennie is an Appointments Co-ordinator & Shareholder of Blackwood Financial Planning and is often the first point of contact with our clients when they make enquiries to the firm about our services.

Jennie has experience as a counsellor for young people seeking help and support and as a carer for the elderly in our local community.

In her spare time, Jennie is an accomplished baker and her produce is eagerly consumed in the office by the rest of the team! 

Jennie is a dog lover and her two Chihuahuas regularly join Jennie and John in their motorhome travels

Gareth Wright

Financial Adviser

Gareth will be joining Blackwood Financial Planning in April as a Financial Adviser, bringing several years’ experience advising clients on wealth, pensions, and retirement planning. He works with individuals at all stages of life, helping them make confident, informed decisions about their financial future.

Gareth transitioned into financial advice mid-career, having previously studied Music at The University of Manchester. Coming to finance as a “non-native” has shaped the way he advises; he understands how complex and overwhelming financial concepts can feel, and takes pride in explaining things clearly and practically, without jargon. Clients often comment on his ability to make pensions and long-term planning feel understandable and manageable.

Gareth holds the Diploma in Financial Advice and additional qualifications in mortgages, protection, and long-term care planning, and is a Member of the London Institute of Banking and Finance. His areas of specialism include wealth and investment planning, pensions and retirement planning, workplace pensions, estate planning, protection, and long-term care planning.

Outside of work, Gareth is a keen foodie and enjoys entertaining family and friends at home or seeking out tasting menus with a good wine pairing. He is also a classically trained musician and achieved Grade 8 in Piano, Violin, and Viola by the age of 17.