An award-winning team
Wesleyan's highly experienced and award-winning Investments Team is made up of Fund Managers, an Investments Research Team, a Property Team and a Sustainable Investment (SI) Team.
Recognised for their achievements, the team was named 'Responsible Investor of the Year' at the Insurance Asset Risk Awards 2022, following this up in 2023 with 'Investment Team of the Year Re/insurer'. In the same year, the team also won a 'Diversity Award' at the Wealth & Asset Management Awards.
All of this means that the team is constantly using its expertise and experience to give you the best possible chance of higher financial returns over the long term.
Investments Management Team
Guiding the Fund Managers and their support teams, the Investments Management Team provides the vision and focus that helps us to target potential growth and greater returns.
Martin Lawrence, BSc, ASIP
Martin joined Wesleyan in 1995 as an Investment Analyst, becoming a Fund Manager in 2001. For 20 years, he managed several Wesleyan funds, including the With Profits Fund.
Now, as Director of Investments, Martin is responsible for overseeing the management of all Wesleyan funds and our in-house Investments Team. This includes our Fund Managers, the Investments Research Team, the Property Team and the Sustainable Investment Team. He is also a Director of Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers Ltd. Martin is an Associate of the UK Society of Investment Professionals (ASIP), now the CFA Society of the UK.
Marc O'Sullivan, BSc, CFA
As Head of Investments, Marc oversees several Wesleyan funds. He manages investments across asset classes, investing directly in UK and overseas equities, government and corporate bonds and cash. In addition to this role, he also manages Wesleyan's With Profits Fund.
Joining Wesleyan as an Investment Analyst in 2003, Marc has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder since 2008, becoming a Fund Manager in 2012. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Economics.
.jpg?sfvrsn=9181ff5b_1 "profile-joe-curlett-updated (1)")
Joe Curlett, MRICS
As Head of our Property Team, Joe is responsible for all aspects of Wesleyan's commercial property investments. He maintains a portfolio of properties located throughout the whole of the UK and is supported by a team of Property Asset Managers. Making up around 10% of the With Profits Fund, the portfolio contains over 110 properties, which are handled in line with our environmental, social and governance commitments.
With a degree in Estate Management, Joe is a fully qualified chartered surveyor and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS). He previously worked as an Asset Manager for a well-known UK property company and for several property consultants, providing advice to landlords.
Fund Managers
With an eye to providing long-term value, the Fund Managers use their expertise and experience to take care of the day-to-day running of the funds our customers invest in.
Caroline Vincent, BA, ASIP
Caroline joined Wesleyan as a Fund Manager in 2021. She had gained previous industry experience from several senior fund management roles at other investment houses. Specialising in equities – with experience spanning both emerging and developed markets – she currently manages the UK Growth Fund and Life Managed Fund.
Caroline holds a degree in Economics from Thames Valley University and is an Associate of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of the UK.
Alistair Way
Alistair joined Wesleyan as a Fund Manager in 2024, overseeing the Pensions Managed Fund, the International Growth Fund and the Moderate-High Risk/Reward Income Fund. With experience in senior fund management and team management, his areas of focus are the technology sector, global emerging markets and the integration of sustainability factors into the investment process.
Alistair is an IIMR (Institute of Investment Management and Research) holder and has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University.
Nikesh Patel, CFA
Nikesh joined Wesleyan as an Investment Analyst in 2014, primarily researching UK and international companies. Holding a master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham, he became a CFA charterholder in 2018.
In early 2024, Nikesh became a Fund Manager at Wesleyan. He is responsible for selecting and monitoring the external funds held within our life and pension product range.
David Carbery, CFA
David joined Wesleyan in 2016, after graduating from Strathclyde University with a degree in Finance. He is a CFA charterholder.
Spending eight years as an Investment Analyst, David worked alongside Fund Managers recommending the buying and selling of stocks, while researching UK and international companies. In early 2024, he became a Fund Manager and is now responsible for the management of the Wesleyan Estate Fund.
Investments Research Team
Our Investments Research Team takes a deep dive into markets to identify opportunities and provide investment recommendations back to our Fund Managers. This helps to potentially maximise the returns on our customers' investments.
.jpg?sfvrsn=f3d59c9d_1 "profile-james-hubbard-updated (1)")
James Hubbard, CFA
Investments Research Manager
James joined Wesleyan as an Investment Analyst in January 2011. He graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA in Economics and Business, before working for a corporate bank in London.
James is a CFA charterholder and held the position of Fund Manager at Wesleyan from 2016 to 2023. He moved to a new role in 2024, becoming the lead of our Investments Research Team.
Thomas Ireland
Tom joined Wesleyan as an Investment Analyst in 2020, after graduating with a BSc in Economics from the University of Birmingham.
His role involves identifying and monitoring global equities in order to make investment recommendations to the Fund Managers. Tom specialises in the travel, leisure, and food/household product consumer staples sectors.
Abdul Youssef, CFA
Abdul joined Wesleyan in 2019, having graduated from the University of Exeter with an MSc in Finance and Investments.
His role involves identifying and monitoring global equities. Using this research, Abdul can make investment recommendations to the Fund Managers. His specialism lies across the healthcare and chemicals sectors.
.jpg?sfvrsn=581c360f_1 "profile-lucas-howarth-updated (1)")
The Sustainable Investment Team
Working alongside Wesleyan’s Fund Managers, the Sustainable Investment Team - headed up by Lucas Howarth, CFA - ensures our investments meet the sustainability requirements we have set ourselves. These are to reduce harm, have a positive impact and drive change.
Find out more about the Sustainable Investment Team and how they take an active role in helping us meet these standards.
Ready to dive into the world of investments?
Investing in funds
Considering investing but not sure where to start? In this guide, we look at how and why to invest in funds.
Investing with Wesleyan
Find out all you need to know about investing with the Wesleyan Group - from the approach we take to the ways you can invest your money.
Commercial investments
Learn how investing in the Unit Trust Investment Account from WUTM could give you the chance to grow your money in up to six risk-rated funds. Capital at risk.