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Our team

Meet our team of highly qualified and experienced individuals, who work together as advisers and admin staff to deliver our exceptional service and dedication to clients.

David Nichol (Dip PFS)

Managing Director & Financial Adviser

David, who lives in Midlem, has been a qualified adviser since 2000 having worked for Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander and latterly ran his own business.

He joined Lowland at the end of 2020 and is primarily focused on looking after his existing as well as new clients. David took over as Managing Director in October 2022. 

He is married to Alison, has two children, enjoys golf (club champion in 1992 at Selkirk and The Woll in 2018), and photography in his spare time. David played over 90 games for Selkirk RFC. 

Patricia MacFarlane (Dip PFS)

financial adviser 

Patricia grew up in Selkirk and moved back to the Borders in 2018 after 17 years in London.  Having begun her career as an investment analyst for Scottish Life in Edinburgh, she worked as an analyst/fund manager on North American funds for Scottish Life/Royal London and Sarasin & Partners before joining BP Investment Management as part of their in-house pension fund investment team.  Patricia passed her Diploma in Financial Planning with flying colours and finished in the top 3 in the Edinburgh area. 

Patricia works 4 days a week and lives in Lilliesleaf with her husband, Gus, and their two young children.

Ross Hutchison (Dip PFS)

financial adviser 

Ross joined Lowland at the end 2023 following the acquisition of fellow Galashiels advice business Sovereign financial. 

With a wealth of client servicing experience spanning over 20 years Ross will be focussed on looking after our new and existing client relationships having joined us from St James Place Wealth Management.

He is married to Kerry, has two daughters and lives in Edinburgh.

Rachael Dytor

Senior administrator

Rachael has worked for Lowland Financial for since 2008 but has a long background in the Financial Services Sector having previously worked for Lowland Insurance Brokers in Galashiels and Edinburgh.  

She works 3 days a week and is married with a daughter.

In June 2021 – Rachael published her first novel, “It’s Time” a psychological thriller  set in Galashiels and Skye – https://www.rachaeldytor.com/about

Michelle Scott

Operations Manager

Michelle grew up in Tweedbank and moved back to the borders in 2011 from Newcastle, continuing her career in the housing sector. She joined Lowland Financial in August 2021 on a full-time basis and is an asset to the team.

She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in terms of I.T., operating systems and managerial experience.

She now lives in Ednam with her husband and their three dogs.

Gayle Temple

Senior Administrator 

Gayle joined Lowland Financial from Sovereign Financial Services where she worked for 19 years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the financial services sector.

Gayle works 4 days a week, is married and has two daughters. 

Sarah Rowley

administrator

Sarah was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire and moved to the Scottish Borders in 2001, where she was educated at St Peter’s and Galashiels Academy, she still lives in the town.

She joined Lowland Financial in October 2021 and works full time.

She has considerable experience in customer service and is responsible for booking and preparing for review meetings.

In her spare time she plays the drums in the several local pipe band, which has seen her partake in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow and travel around Europe as a member of the Scottish Borders Pipe Band.

Julie Johnstone

administrator

Julie was born in Wigan and moved to Galashiels in 1999 to work with the mental health charity Penumbra. She has worked as an administrator within financial services for 18 years, joining Lowland Financial in 2023 from Sovereign Financial Services.

Julie is married with two children and enjoys a mix of hatha yoga and rock music as well as long walks in the Uplands with her border terrier Ruby.,