Jake McLaughlin DipPFS

Jake is Executive Director at deVere Portugal and also oversees the Geneva office as Area Manager. Originally studying to become an engineer, he joined deVere through the graduate programme and has now spent over 11 years with the company, building extensive experience across multiple international markets including Malta, Qatar, Switzerland, and Portugal.

As a qualified UK & European Financial Advisor, Jake specialises in UK Inheritance Tax planning, family wealth structuring, and cross-border wealth management for internationally mobile families. Working predominantly with clients connected to Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK, he helps individuals protect and organise their assets efficiently, ensuring wealth can be preserved and passed on to future generations in a tax-efficient manner.

Having worked across several jurisdictions throughout his career, Jake brings a broad international perspective and a strong understanding of the challenges faced by globally mobile professionals and families.

Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, exploring Portugal together and taking their dog Ruby on walks along the beach.

J Paul Dodds

• Office/locations Porto Portugal, Geneva and Zurich Switzerland.
• Brief career background (2–4 sentences) I have been involved in Finance, Investments and International planning for over 35 years.
• Number of years at deVere 19 Years
• Qualifications (if applicable) ACSI, EFA, DipPFS
• Areas of specialism/expertise and/or Countries/markets you work with. Specialist Cross border and repatriation planning expert, Pensions and Investment Portfolios, Global with EU,UK and Swiss specialism
• A short personal line outside of work (optional) Outside of work my focus is on my family, fun, Rugby, and Fine Wine travels.

Wayne Ballantyne dipPFS

Wayne is Director of High Net Worth at deVere Portugal and brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services. Having spent over eight years with deVere across Spain and Portugal, he has developed extensive expertise helping affluent individuals and internationally mobile families navigate complex cross-border financial planning.

As a qualified UK & European Financial Advisor, Wayne specialises in international retirement planning, tax-efficient investment strategies, estate planning, and wealth preservation. He works closely with high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and families to help structure and manage wealth efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.

Outside of work, Wayne enjoys exploring Portugal, experiencing its food and culture, spending time around horses, and keeping active.

Glenn Walker DipPFS

Glenn is an Associate Wealth Consultant working across Portugal and Switzerland. He began his career in offshore finance on the Isle of Man, where he spent over a decade building extensive industry knowledge and experience before qualifying as a financial adviser in 2024 and joining deVere Group.

As a qualified European Financial Advisor, Glenn specialises in cross-border wealth management, tax optimisation, and international pension planning for professionals and retirees based in Switzerland and Portugal. Drawing on both his professional expertise and personal international experience, he works closely with clients to help structure and manage their financial affairs across multiple jurisdictions.

His approach focuses on delivering tailored financial advice designed around each client’s long-term goals, lifestyle, and international circumstances.

Outside of work, Glenn is passionate about sport and fitness, particularly football, having previously played as a semi-professional footballer and represented the Isle of Man. Since relocating to Portugal, he has also taken up golf and padel, and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Daniel Whiting DipPFS

Daniel is an Associate Wealth Consultant splitting his time between Porto and Geneva. Originally from a legal background, he holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law before beginning his career within deVere’s graduate programme in Malta in 2019, later relocating to Portugal. Over the past seven years with deVere, he has developed extensive experience supporting international clients with cross-border financial planning.

As a qualified UK European Financial Advisor, Daniel specialises in cross-border wealth management with a focus on tax-efficient investing, pension planning, and UK inheritance tax mitigation. Much of his work centres around clients based in Portugal and Switzerland, helping them structure and manage their wealth efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.

His legal background provides a strong foundation when assisting clients with structured, long-term financial planning solutions tailored to their personal circumstances and future objectives.

Outside of work, Daniel enjoys football, hiking, and improving his golf game.

Alexander Whitehead DipPFS

Alexander is a Wealth Consultant based in Porto, bringing a lifelong career in finance spanning retail banking in Jersey through to Private Banking in London. After focusing on financial advice throughout his career, he recently relocated to Portugal to continue supporting international clients with their cross-border financial planning needs.

As a qualified UK & European Financial Advisor, Alexander specialises in advising expatriate and international clients on retirement planning, tax-efficient structuring, and international wealth management. He works closely with individuals connected to Portugal, the UK, and Switzerland, helping them bring clarity and structure to managing wealth across multiple jurisdictions.

His expertise includes NHR planning, UK pension analysis, and building long-term investment strategies tailored around each client’s personal objectives, lifestyle, and future goals.

Outside of work, Alexander enjoys spending time with his family and following rugby on the weekends.

Filipe is a Wealth Consultant with over five years of experience at deVere Group. He began his career within large international companies before moving into Santander’s Investment Banking division, experiences that helped shape his strong foundation in international finance and wealth management.

Filipe specialises in cross-border financial planning, pension structuring, and tax-efficient investment strategies for international clients across the EU, LATAM, and EMEA regions. He works closely with individuals and families to help structure and manage their wealth with clarity, efficiency, and long-term planning in mind.

He holds qualifications in Pension and Retirement Planning through the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII), alongside the CEA Investment Specialist certification from ANBIMA.

Naturally people-focused, Filipe enjoys helping clients protect and grow their wealth, finding particular satisfaction in supporting individuals and families with their long-term financial planning.

• Office/locations: Geneva/Switzerland & Porto/Portugal
• Brief career background (2–4 sentences) - Think I have covered this in the Areas of Specialism but let me know.
• Number of years at deVere - 9 years
• Qualifications (if applicable): International Introduction to Investments Award
• Areas of specialism/expertise and/or Countries/markets you work with:
  As a third-generation wealth manager, I specialise in helping international professionals build clear, confident financial futures. My focus areas include pension safeguarding, education funding planning, and growing assets strategically to make the most of consistently-changing market conditions — all geared towards helping clients identify, reach, and exceed their long-term financial goals. I work primarily with clients in Switzerland and Portugal, supporting expatriates and globally-minded professionals through deVere Group's worldwide network, as they navigate an increasingly complex financial world.
• A short personal line outside of work (optional) - When I’m not at my desk, I’m either on the trail or making something - Usually both in the same weekend.

Tobias is a Business Development Associate working across Geneva and Porto. Originally from the United States, he was awarded a basketball scholarship and spent both high school and university competing at Division 2 and Division 1 level, balancing his studies alongside the demands of professional-level sport.

After returning home due to complications during COVID, Tobias pursued a short career as a professional basketball player before joining deVere in July 2023. Over the past three years, he has developed his expertise within international financial planning while working across Switzerland and Portugal.

As a qualified European Financial Advisor, Tobias specialises in supporting professionals navigating cross-border financial planning between Switzerland and Portugal. His areas of focus include retirement planning, investment planning, tax efficiency, education planning, and wider lifestyle financial strategies.

Outside of work, Tobias enjoys golf, staying active through football and basketball, and maintaining his competitive edge both on and off the court.

Thomas is a Business Development Manager working across Portugal and Switzerland, specialising in supporting high-net-worth international clients with cross-border financial planning. Over the past five years with deVere, he has worked closely alongside Wayne Ballantyne, Director of High Net Worth, helping clients build, structure, and protect their wealth across multiple jurisdictions.

As a qualified European Financial Advisor, Thomas specialises in Swiss, UK, and EU financial planning, with particular expertise in cross-border retirement planning and long-term wealth structuring for internationally mobile individuals and families.

He holds a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute alongside the European Financial Advisor qualification from the European Financial Planning Association.

Outside of work, Thomas enjoys life in the Algarve with his fiancée, newborn baby, and cat.

David is a Business Development Associate based in Porto, bringing experience from previous roles within compliance, fraud prevention, and anti-money laundering. Since joining deVere four years ago, he has developed a strong understanding of cross-border financial planning and international client support.

Working across both Switzerland and Portugal, David provides tailored financial planning support to international clients, helping them navigate the complexities of managing assets and wider financial arrangements across multiple jurisdictions.

David is currently studying to become fully qualified and continues to build his expertise within the international financial advisory sector.

Maxim Edward Lloyd Relton

Maxim is a Business Development Associate working across Porto and Zurich. His career journey began far outside of finance, initially studying marine biology before moving into education through the Teach First graduate programme, where he spent two years developing as a qualified teacher. Seeking a new challenge and an opportunity to work internationally, he later joined deVere and transitioned into the world of financial planning.

Over the past three years, Maxim has steadily built his expertise across cross-border financial planning, working closely with clients while continuing his professional financial qualifications. He specialises in supporting individuals whose careers are based in Switzerland but who intend to retire elsewhere in Europe, particularly Portugal, Spain, Italy, and the UK.

Drawing on his background in teaching, Maxim takes an educational approach with clients, helping simplify complex financial concepts so individuals can better understand and confidently plan for their long-term retirement journey.

Miguel Guimarães Areias De Menezes

Miguel is a Business Development Associate based in Porto, specialising in supporting international clients with cross-border financial planning and wealth management. After beginning his career in corporate finance, he joined deVere Portugal where he discovered a passion for working closely with individuals and families to help them achieve their long-term financial goals.

Over the past two years with deVere, Miguel has developed experience across areas including tax-efficient investment planning, international pension planning, retirement planning, and broader cross-border financial considerations.

Outside of work, Miguel enjoys travelling, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

Harold Michael Cox

Harold is a Business Development Associate working across Porto and Geneva, supporting clients connected to Portugal, the UK, and Switzerland. He studied Economics and Finance at Swansea University before joining deVere in 2021, where he has since spent the last four years developing his expertise within international financial planning.

Prior to entering the financial services industry, Harold worked for over 10 years as a Level 2 swimming teacher. He also spent time involved in rewilding projects and coral reef planting initiatives in Mexico, experiences that helped shape his people-focused and internationally minded approach.

Harold currently studying to become fully qualified and continues to build his knowledge within the cross-border wealth management sector.

Guy is a Wealth Management Associate splitting his time between Porto and Geneva, with a particular focus on the Swiss market. Having recently entered the financial services industry, he completed an intensive two-month training programme in Mauritius as part of his development within international wealth management.

Now one year into his career with deVere, Guy is focused on building his expertise within cross-border financial planning and international wealth management, supporting clients with the complexities that come with globally connected lifestyles and assets.

He currently studying to become fully qualified and continues to develop his knowledge within the international advisory sector.

Connor James Shepherd

Connor is a Business Development Associate working across Switzerland and Portugal, supporting senior international professionals and expatriates with holistic financial planning. He studied Finance, Accounting and Management at the University of Nottingham, building a strong academic foundation in financial services and international business.

Over the past almost three years with deVere, Connor has developed experience working with internationally mobile clients, helping them navigate the complexities of cross-border financial planning and long-term wealth management.

Connor is currently studying to become fully qualified in Financial Protection and continues to build his expertise within the international financial advisory sector.

Anthony is a Business Development Manager based in deVere’s Porto office, supporting international clients across Switzerland and Europe. He began his career in London within the financial recruitment sector before returning to Porto, where he has spent the last five years working closely with international clients on cross-border financial planning.

Anthony is currently studying to become a fully qualified advisor, and specialises in retirement structuring, tax optimisation, and multi-jurisdictional wealth management, helping clients navigate the complexities that come with international lifestyles and globally held assets.

Outside of work, Anthony has proudly represented the Portugal men’s cricket team in multiple international tournaments, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup European qualifiers. He is also an Executive Committee Member and Chair of the Sports Sub-Committee for the Oporto Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club.

Joe Frederick Deller

Joe is a Business Development Associate based in Porto, bringing over 20 years of experience across customer service and operational roles. His background includes extensive experience in project management and communications, providing a strong foundation for supporting international clients and building long-term professional relationships.

Having spent the last three years with deVere, Joe specialises in assisting expatriate clients across Europe, with a particular focus on Portugal and Switzerland. He works closely with individuals navigating cross-border financial planning and international lifestyle considerations.

Joe also holds a postgraduate degree in Worldwide Communications and Project Management.

Outside of work, Joe enjoys playing pool, listening to music, and attending concerts.

Matthew is a Business Development Associate working across Geneva and Porto, supporting international clients connected to Switzerland and Portugal. After graduating from Leeds Beckett University in late 2024, he joined deVere full-time in early 2025 and has since begun building his experience within the international financial services sector.

Working with clients across multiple jurisdictions, Matthew supports individuals navigating cross-border financial planning and wider international wealth management considerations. His role focuses particularly on clients with connections to Switzerland and Portugal.

Matthew holds a BA (Hons) degree and continues to develop his expertise within international financial planning and wealth management.

Kieran is a Business Development Associate working across Porto and Geneva, supporting British and UK-connected professionals living in Switzerland. After graduating with a degree in Economics in 2024, he began his career within field sales for a law and estate planning firm before relocating to Portugal to join deVere.

Working alongside the Geneva team, Kieran supports clients with cross-border financial planning and wider international wealth management considerations, helping individuals navigate the complexities of internationally connected lifestyles and financial arrangements.

Outside of work, Kieran enjoys following Manchester United, playing golf, and keeping up with Formula 1.

Isabella is a Business Development Associate working across Geneva and Porto. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she later moved to Cologne, Germany to study Business Psychology, combining her interests in finance with psychology and decision-making.

Prior to joining deVere in 2026, Isabella gained experience across both marketing and finance in the United States and Germany, including time with RBC Wealth Management in Dallas. At deVere, she works across several international markets, supporting offshore American and expatriate clients throughout the EU and Switzerland.

She specialises in U.S., Swiss, and EU financial planning, with a particular focus on offshore Americans and international expatriates living in Switzerland. Her international background and cross-cultural experience allow her to build strong relationships with clients navigating the complexities of international lifestyles and cross-border financial planning.

Oliver is a Business Development Associate working across Porto and Geneva, supporting UK-connected professionals living internationally. He studied at the University of York, where he completed a Master’s degree in International Relations, developing a strong understanding of global affairs and international markets.

Working across both Switzerland and Portugal, Oliver supports clients with cross-border financial planning and wider international wealth management considerations, with a particular focus on internationally mobile professionals connected to the UK.

His international outlook and understanding of global issues allow him to build strong relationships with clients navigating increasingly international lifestyles and financial arrangements.

Oliver is a Wealth Management Associate working across Porto and Geneva, supporting international clients based in Portugal and Switzerland. A graduate of the University of Manchester, he has a strong foundation in business and finance and brings valuable corporate experience from a 13-month industrial placement with BMW Group prior to joining deVere.

Now one year into his career with deVere, Oliver works closely with expatriate clients, helping support their cross-border financial planning and international wealth management needs.

Outside of work, Oliver enjoys staying active through rugby, golf, football, and padel, and is always keen to challenge himself with new experiences and activities.

Joana Sofia da Costa

Joana is the Office Administration Manager based in Porto, bringing over 10 years of experience across a range of industries. She is known for her adaptable and people-focused approach, with strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills developed through working in fast-paced professional environments.

Over the past two years with deVere, Joana has played an important role in supporting the smooth day-to-day operations of the office, combining strong time management with a proactive and collaborative approach. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Administration Advisory and Translation, with expertise spanning management, administration, and translation services.

Outside of work, Joana enjoys watching live sports, playing online games, reading, and spending time with friends.