Catriona Bryden DipFA is a Financial Adviser at Ginkgo Financial Ltd in Blackheath, which provides advice on investments, pensions, retirement income planning, inheritance planning, and insurance protection. With qualifications in both financial planning and mortgage advice, she brings over 20 years of relationship-building experience from the charity sector into financial services.
Catriona is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (CXB00634) and achieved her Diploma in Financial Advice (DipFA) and CeMAP mortgage qualification after transitioning from a successful charity career in 2022.
View Catriona's profiles: LinkedIn | VouchedFor Reviews
About Catriona
If you're looking for someone who genuinely listens and helps you feel confident about your financial decisions, I'd love to work with you.
After more than 20 years building partnerships and managing major programmes at charities like Comic Relief, NSPCC, and The Dogs Trust, I retrained as a financial adviser because I wanted more face-to-face contact with the people I'm helping. Financial advice is as much about people as it is about numbers, and my job is to understand what matters to you—then help you make informed decisions that support your goals.
Whether you're thinking about pensions, investments, retirement income options, inheritance planning, or protection, I'll take time to listen, explain things clearly, and build a relationship of trust with you. Clients often tell me they appreciate my pragmatic, straightforward approach and that I make complex financial topics feel accessible.
I also hold specialist mortgage qualifications, so if you're thinking about buying a home, remortgaging, or equity release, I can help with that too. As part of the wider Ginkgo team, if your needs fall outside my expertise, we'll connect you with the right colleague.
Outside work, I'm devoted to my rescue French Bulldog, Tommy, and I volunteer with Grow with Ginkgo—our campaign to support local families and charities across South East London. One day I'd love to open an animal shelter up north!
If you're looking for a financial adviser who'll take time to understand you and support you every step of the way, I'd be happy to chat.
Your job in a nutshell
My job is a bit like counselling. I aim to listen, understand and build a relationship of trust with everyone I speak with. Once a client feels confident enough to open up about their hopes and concerns, that's when I can help them look at it all from a financial perspective (at least). It's a privilege and I love it!
Tell me about your first paid job?
When I left school, I trained for Rock FM and Magic radio. I was writing ads, finding sponsors and running competitions. I'd planned to go to uni but it was too good a chance to pass up! (I finally bagged a degree in my 30s.)
What led you to where you are now?
I worked with some amazing charities for over 20 years—the NSPCC, Comic Relief and The Dogs Trust. But as I got further up the ladder, I knew more about management than people. I had an interest in mortgages through my buy-to-let so a contact suggested I train as a mortgage adviser. It just all fell into place. Financial advice is as much about helping people as charity work. Plus it gives me that face-to-face contact I was badly missing.
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
10 penny sweets with my 10p pocket money when I was about 5. Every Saturday at the end of Match of the Day on TV I'd pester my big brother to take me to the paper shop before it shut. We were often too late and I'd be devastated!
What’s your retirement dream?
I'd love to open an animal shelter up north. My rescue French Bulldog, Tommy, means the world to me. He's a bit of a problem child but I love him regardless!
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Pragmatic, adventurous and independent
What’s the best thing about working at Ginkgo?
From day one, the Ginkgo team has made me feel so welcome. Everyone knows their stuff and they're helpful and supportive. It's a lovely change after working solo from my kitchen table.
If you would like an initial free 30-minute conversation with Catriona please contact us or call on 020 7078 8683.
Trusts and inheritance tax planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Will writing & Power of Attorney is not part of the Quilter Financial Planning offering and is offered in our own right. Quilter Financial Planning accept no responsibility for this aspect of our business.
