![background-banner-3 background-banner-3](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/background-banner-3.png?width=1920&name=background-banner-3.png)
![Sophie Long](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/SL-headshot%20-%20-website.png)
![James Dingwall](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/JD-headshot%20-%20-website.png)
Founder & Director
James Dingwall, Founder and Director of the Thistle Group, supports business growth for all of the Thistle Group companies, as well as providing specialist M&A advice and regulatory advice, particularly in the areas of FCA supervision & enforcement actions along with acquisition due diligence support
![Michael Bellenger](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/MB-headshot%20-%20-website.png)
![Alex Paschalis](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20assets%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/AP-headshot%20-%20-website-v2.png)
![Steve Bailey](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/Steve%20Bailey%20-%20wide%201920-1.jpg)
Director
As a Director at Thistle Initiatives, Steve holds specialist knowledge of the FCA Handbook and has extensive experience, focussing on consultancy and sales management. Steve is well-versed in the pension and investments sector and with his regulatory knowledge has been involved in over 150 regulatory visits, various Section 166 projects, and other similar assignments such as the SIPP and NMPI (S55 VVOP) work.
![Huw Reynolds](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/Huw%20Reynolds%20-%20wide%201920.jpg)
![Paul Caine](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/Paul%20Caine%20-%20wide%201920.jpg)
Associate Director
As Associate Director and a dedicated member of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), Paul exemplifies professionalism and expertise in the financial services industry. His Section 166 projects showcase a strong dedication to industry integrity and regulatory compliance and whilst specialising in pensions and investments, Paul's extensive regulatory knowledge consistently delivers tangible results to clients.
![Jessica Cath](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20-%20_0008_Jessica_Cath-760450%20wider.jpg)
Head of Financial Crime
Jessica is a financial crime leader, working predominantly with financial services firms to build, scale and assure all elements of the financial crime framework. Jess has broad experience working with a range of institutions to design and enhance policies and procedures
![Lorraine Mouat](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20assets%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/LM-headshot-v2---website.png)
![Matthew Williamson](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/TI%20website%20assets%20-%20new%20brand/Leadership%20Team/MW-headshot%20-%20-website.png)
![Norma Foley](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/Archive/Misc/Norma%20Foley.jpg)
![Sarah Pritchard](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hubfs/Sarah-Headshot---Web---square-crop-9x9.png)
HR Business Partner
Sarah Pritchard joined Thistle Group in November 2022 as HR Business Partner. Prior to joining the group, Sarah held long standing people and culture roles within the communications industry and membership bodies, both as HR Business Partner and standalone HR Manager positions. As well as a wealth of experience operating as an HR generalist, supporting the full employee life cycle, Sarah has built up solid experience in delivering HR strategies and supporting cultural change projects.
![Harry Cotton](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Harry%20Cotton%20-%20wide%201920-1.jpg?width=1920&height=1157&name=Harry%20Cotton%20-%20wide%201920-1.jpg)
Head of Client Services
Harry joined Thistle Group as Head of Client Services in 2024. He served globally as a British Army Officer and has since held client adviser and leadership positions across the traditional Private Banking and Wealth Management sector, as well as in a FinTech start-up. He is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments. In his role at Thistle, Harry works closely with our existing clients and professional advisers as well supporting new relationships.
![Yuliya Muir](https://www.thistleinitiatives.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Yuliya%20Muir%20-%20wide%201920.jpg?width=1920&height=1157&name=Yuliya%20Muir%20-%20wide%201920.jpg)
Head of Marketing
With over 18 years of experience in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of fintech, Yuliya joined Thistle Initiatives in 2024 as Head of Marketing. Yuliya has a wealth of knowledge and expertise and leads the team in steering the marketing strategy across the Thistle Group.