Rachael founded Willow Tree in 2015, having spent her career in banking and financial services since 1998. Qualified as both a mortgage adviser (CeMAP) and financial adviser (DipFA), she built Willow Tree on a single belief: that everyone - not just the wealthy - deserves clear, honest financial advice.
She's at her best when she's helping a client go from overwhelmed to confident. And she has a particular soft spot for first-time buyers on the day they get their keys.
Rachael grew up in Eastbourne, loves the coast, and spends her weekends outdoors with her husband, son, and Willow the dog.
Cassie joined Willow Tree in 2021, bringing with her six years of experience at Yorkshire Building Society - where she worked her way up to branch manager. She's CeMAP qualified and has a natural talent for making clients feel at ease, whatever their situation.
Fun fact: Cassie has a Masters in Coastal and Marine Resource Management. She may not use it directly, but it tells you everything about her love of a challenge.
Outside of work, her world revolves around her family. She and her husband have two daughters, and Sundays are sacred - always a family day out, usually involving their National Trust or English Heritage memberships.
Haylee has been part of the Willow Tree story since the very beginning. She and Rachael go back even further - they met at an independent mortgage brokerage in 2007, and when the opportunity came to bring Haylee on board, Rachael didn't hesitate.
If you've ever called the office or needed something chased, you've probably spoken to Haylee. She's brilliant with clients, has an exceptional memory, and is incredibly tenacious when it comes to keeping things moving. Quite simply, we couldn't do without her.
Outside of work, her children keep her wonderfully busy. When she does get a moment to herself, you'll find her deep in a Netflix boxset - or making her house look like a show home.
Justine's path to financial services is unlike anyone else's on the team - and that's exactly what makes her brilliant at it.
Before joining Willow Tree, she spent years in hospitality and restaurant marketing, working with both well-known brands and independent local businesses. Then, in 2016, she took a trip to India to study yoga. What was meant to be a month away turned into two years - and changed everything.
That experience sparked a deep passion for helping people create lives they truly love. It led her to train as a Money Coach, supporting clients to build clarity and confidence with their finances in a way that's warm, encouraging, and completely non-judgemental.
She's now channelling all of that into a career in regulated financial planning, currently studying towards her Diploma in Financial Planning. She's driven by a simple belief that fits perfectly here at Willow Tree: that good financial advice can genuinely change people's lives.
Outside of work, her adventurous young son keeps her on her toes. She loves cooking - especially Indian food - and her idea of the perfect evening is a good book and a cup of tea.
Willow is a 13-year-old Weimaraner and the name inspiration for the entire business. She is simultaneously one of the most intelligent and most ridiculous creatures you will ever meet.
Her favourite place is on someone's lap - all 30kg of her. She's a regular fixture in the office and loves nothing more than greeting visitors. Clients tend to love her. She tends to love them back, enthusiastically.
She doesn't do financial planning, but she does make it considerably more enjoyable.