At Arena, our overriding aim is to help our clients achieve their long-term financial objectives through first-class financial planning. We provide independent, tailored advice for our client’s, combining decades of experience with a commitment to integrity and compliance. Some of our clients have been with us for over 30 years, and this is testament to the high-quality service we offer.
Almond & Jenkinson (A&J)
Almond and Jenkinson joined the Arena family thanks to the long-standing friendship between Eric Jenkinson of A&J and Arena’s Stephen Penrose. Eric and Stephen have known each other since 1999, when Eric and Grahame originally founded A&J. As Eric approaches retirement, he wanted to be sure his clients (many of whom are lifelong) would be looked after by a firm whose values reflect his own. We are delighted to welcome Almond & Jenkinson into Arena, bringing together the strengths of both firms for the benefit of all our clients.
Our core 6 steps
to financial planning
We begin with an introductory meeting to understand your goals and objectives. We do this through a combination of talking through your aspirations for the future, your personal objectives and other goals you may have.
We will get to know you by taking you through a comprehensive consultation document. With your written permission, we will contact your existing providers to get full details of any existing arrangements you may have.
Once we have a full understanding of what you would like to achieve, we will assess if you are currently on track to achieve your goals. We undertake a comprehensive analysis of your current plans to ensure they remain suitable for you. If your current plans do not work, we may recommend a new strategy.
After analysing your current situation, we will present our recommendations to you. We will discuss our recommendations and any proposed changes to your existing plans in detail. Our team will explain the reasons for any changes and ensure you are happy with the agreed goals.
Following your agreement to proceed with a new financial plan, we will manage the transition through any changes. Our administration team will liaise with all the involved parties to ensure your new financial plan is implemented correctly.
We like to meet our clients on a regular basis to make sure you are on track to achieve your goals and objectives in the most effective way. Any changes to your plans and circumstances will be discussed and actioned throughout the review period.
Customer service is a concept we truly understand.
When speaking to our clients one word crops up time and time again: integrity. It is through our integrity that we have built strong, long term relationships with clients who trust us to manage their families financial planning. What’s more, they are happy to recommend us to their family, friends and colleagues. Arena has grown primarily through personal recommendations from clients who have benefited from our advice.
We update our clients through every step of their financial plan with us. Having our clients fully involved with our process has been key to establishing long standing relations for the past 96 years.
Our Independent
Financial Advisers
Stephen Penrose
Managing Director
As Managing Director, Stephen spends his time seeing clients and running the company. Stephen enjoys walking and has been trekking in both Peru and Nepal. He has two sons and is a keen PNE supporter.
Ian Connor
Director
Ian has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry. He began his career with Almond & Jenkinson Financial Planning Ltd, which merged with Arena Investment Management in 2023. Following the merger, Ian was appointed Director and continues to provide expert, client-focused financial advice, helping individuals and families achieve their long-term goals. Ian is married with two children. Outside of work, family life keeps him busy — whether travelling, hiking, or supporting his children’s many activities and clubs. When time allows, he can often be found at Old Trafford, making full use of his Manchester United season ticket.
Our Independent
Financial Advisers
Stephen Penrose
Managing Director
As Managing Director, Stephen provides the most specialised advice within the company and has ensured he has progressed with the advanced exams to be able to do this. Stephen enjoys walking and has been trekking in both Peru and Nepal.
Ian Connor
Director
Ian has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry. He began his career with Almond & Jenkinson Financial Planning Ltd, which merged with Arena Investment Management in 2023. Following the merger, Ian was appointed Director and continues to provide expert, client-focused financial advice, helping individuals and families achieve their long-term goals. Ian is married with two children. Outside of work, family life keeps him busy — whether travelling, hiking, or supporting his children’s many activities and clubs. When time allows, he can often be found at Old Trafford, making full use of his Manchester United season ticket.
Sarah Iqbal
Chartered Financial Planner
Sarah has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry and she joined Arena in 2025. Outside of work, Sarah has many interests, mainly hiking. Sarah recently succeeded in summiting the world’s highest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro!
Jacob Broadbent
Independent Financial Adviser
Jacob studied Economics at university until graduating in 2017. Since then he has been working in the financial services industry and joined Arena in 2023. Something of an outdoorsman, Jacob often takes his camper van around the country (if not further!) to go on new hikes.
Andy Armstrong
Independent Financial Adviser/ Paraplanner
Andy is the newest member of the team having joined in April 2024. Andy is a keen musician and loves bands like Pink Floyd and Manic Street Preachers. When he’s not playing the guitar he can often be found on Deepdale cheering on Preston North End.
Sarah Iqbal
Chartered Financial Planner
Sarah has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry and she joined Arena in 2025. Sarah advises in in all areas of financial planning and has completed her advance qualifications, awarding her with the Chartered Financial Planner status. Outside of work, Sarah has many interests, mainly hiking. Sarah recently succeeded in summiting the world’s highest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro!
Jacob Broadbent
Independent Financial Adviser
Jacob studied Economics at university until graduating in 2017. Since then he has been working in the financial services industry and joined Arena in 2023. Something of an outdoorsman, Jacob often takes his camper van around the country (if not further!) to go on new hikes.
Andy Armstrong
Independent Financial Adviser/ Paraplanner
Andy joined Arena in 2024 and has since become a qualified Independent Financial Adviser. Andy is a keen musician and loves bands like Pink Floyd and Manic Street Preachers. When he’s not playing the guitar he can often be found on Deepdale cheering on Preston North End.
Our Independent
Financial Advisers
Stephen Penrose
Managing Director
As Managing Director, Stephen provides the most specialised advice within the company and has ensured he has progressed with the advanced exams to be able to do this. Stephen enjoys walking and has been trekking in both Peru and Nepal.
Ian Connor
Director
Ian has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry. He began his career with Almond & Jenkinson Financial Planning Ltd, which merged with Arena Investment Management in 2023. Following the merger, Ian was appointed Director and continues to provide expert, client-focused financial advice, helping individuals and families achieve their long-term goals. Ian is married with two children. Outside of work, family life keeps him busy — whether travelling, hiking, or supporting his children’s many activities and clubs. When time allows, he can often be found at Old Trafford, making full use of his Manchester United season ticket.
Sarah Iqbal
Chartered Financial Planner
Sarah has over ten years’ experience in the financial services industry and she joined Arena in 2025. Outside of work, Sarah has many interests, mainly hiking. Sarah recently succeeded in summiting the world’s highest freestanding mountain, Kilimanjaro!
Jacob Broadbent
Independent Financial Adviser
Jacob studied Economics at university until graduating in 2017. Since then he has been working in the financial services industry and joined Arena in 2023. Something of an outdoorsman, Jacob often takes his camper van around the country (if not further!) to go on new hikes.
Andy Armstrong
Independent Financial Adviser/ Paraplanner
Andy is the newest member of the team having joined in April 2024. Andy is a keen musician and loves bands like Pink Floyd and Manic Street Preachers. When he’s not playing the guitar he can often be found on Deepdale cheering on Preston North End.
Our Client
Relationship Team
Mark McMahon
Preston Office Manager
Mark has been with Arena since Stephen purchased the business in 1995 and subsequently has invaluable knowledge and a strong rapport with Arena’s clients. He is married with two children and is a keen sports enthusiast. He cycles 12 miles to work and back every day and has recently been trekking in Borneo to see the Orangutans!
Ben Shaw
Thornton Office Manager
Ben joined Almond & Jenkinson Financial Planning Ltd in 2022, Just before the merger with Arena Investment Management in 2023. As Office Manager, Ben ensures the day-to-day running of the office is seamless to assist our Advisors and Client Relationship Team. Ben’s strong organisational skills and warm, approachable manner help ensure that every client receives the highest level of care to ensure our clients remain informed, valued and confident about their financial goals and objectives.
Katarzyna Pres
Compliance Manager
Known as Kasia, she joined Arena having previously worked in debt management and insolvency. Kasia quickly settled in to her role within a new industry to become an important member of the team.
Edward Penrose
Paraplanner
Edward joined Arena in September 2016 and has been working alongside the administrative staff while he takes his exams. Edward is an avid reader, movie goer and traveller. In recent years he has visited Tokyo, New York and Hong Kong.
Jargon-free atmosphere
Don’t worry if you find financial planning confusing or if you are not clear on tax planning and investment management. Our professional advisors will ensure that you come out of your meeting with clear and defined objectives.
We take the complexity out of investments pensions and tax planning so you can make truly informed decisions.
As truly independent advisors we are committed to our clients 100% and are free from external control and constraint. We are not influenced by any decision but our own.
A focus on goals and objectives
Enables us to draw up a financial plan focused on achieving those aims.
Robust advice process
Our structured approach to advice enables us to give our clients the best outcomes.
Flexibility
Regularly reviewed goals to incorporate any changes in your circumstances.
Cashflow modelling
We can use cashflow modelling techniques to demonstrate your potential future lifestyle.
Preston Office:
71 Liverpool Old Road,
Walmer Bridge, Preston
PR4 5QE
office@ainv.co.uk
01772 610 930
Thornton Office:
37 Victoria Road East,
Thornton-Cleveleys
FY5 5BU
office@ainv.co.uk
01253 863 296
Arena Investment Management Ltd is registered in England, Company No. 00666518
Almond & Jenkinson is a trading name of Arena Investment Management Ltd
Registered Address: 71 Liverpool Old Road, Walmer Bridge, Preston, PR4 5QE
Arena Investment Management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – FCA Number 228591
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