Professional Biography
My clients are busy people, they need an advisor they can rely on. I focus on their financial plan so they can focus on their lives.
How do you describe what you do?
With over 35 years experience in financial services, I take great pleasure in helping clients with their financial planning needs, whether that be accumulating wealth in a tax efficient manner, decumulating or passing down the generations
What's next for you professionally?
My total focus now is on my clients - at nearly 60 years of age, I have the qualifications and experience I need - so working with my clients is my 100% focus
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Life is a journey and not a destination - enjoy and treasure each day.
What's an experience with a client that's stuck with you?
Persuading a client to add critical illness to their life policy, even though it was a lot more expensive.
How did you start off in your career?
I won a national essay competition in 1982 run by HSBC ("How will I use my bank during my lifetime") and at the award ceremony the personnel manager offered me a job - and I took it!
What's your area of expertise?
Retirement and estate planning - cashflow analysis and business exit strategy - saving and investing
Where do you get your inspiration to embrace what's next?
Thanks to an expensive divorce late in life (!) and not being able to retire as early I had planned, it's a "release" to be able to totally focus on my clients and client service rather than personal career development.
What's your favourite thing about your role?
Interaction with my clients and introducers, I have always been a "people person" rather than a techie and sitting in front of a client rather than a laptop is without doubt, so much more rewarding,
What's next for you personally?
More of the same - Having stood down from the Managing Partner role (which I held for over 10 years) I am now able to give 100% focus to my clients, and it's been a breath of fresh air to be able to do this,
Do you have a significant experience that your clients would want to hear about?
I would say that with over 35 years experience in the industry, there is little, if anything, I have never come across before, or had to deal with, so I am confident that my knowledge and experience will result in a better experience for my clients.
Where's your favourite place to meet with your clients?
At their home address rather than the office - it tends to generate a more relaxed environment, and if there are any potential clients who want a home appointment and live in Bali - I'm your man!
When you're not at work, what's your favourite thing to do?
I'm a life long Derby County fan and lover of rock music (KISS, W.A.S.P AC/DC, Alice Cooper) etc., so at most times when I am not working I am watching sport or going to rock gigs.
Why does my role as a wealth manager matter?
My clients are normally focused on their family lives or working lives, so having an adviser they can rely on, and trust is of vital importance - it takes a lifetime to build a trusting two-way relationship and that is never to be underestimated.
What qualifications and memberships do you have?
DipPFS Certs CII (MP&ER)