James Everett

“Good advice starts with listening.”

Growing up, I was determined to be a pilot and had ambitions of joining the RAF. When a peanut allergy ruled that out, I had to reconsider what I wanted to do. I joined Halifax at 16 and quickly found that I enjoyed working with people and helping them make sense of important financial decisions.

Working in a branch brought me into contact with people of all ages and across a wide range of financial circumstances. It taught me to listen carefully, communicate in a way people could understand and adapt my approach to the person in front of me.

I went on to work across personal and business banking, fraud, and wealth management administration before qualifying as an adviser. This breadth of experience gave me a valuable perspective on the decisions, pressures and unexpected challenges people may face.

As a Wealth Management Consultant at Mattioli Woods, I start by listening to what matters to each client. Everyone has their own circumstances, priorities and ideas about the future, so there is no standard answer. I help clients understand their options, make informed decisions and feel confident that their financial plan reflects what they want from life.

No two clients are the same, which is one of the things I value most about my work. Some people come to me with a clear idea of where they want to get to, while others need help working that out. Either way, I want them to feel comfortable asking questions and speaking openly, knowing that the advice they receive is built around them.

Outside work, family is a big part of my life and I’m usually spending time with them or playing padel. I enjoy golf and follow Formula 1 and darts. Travelling is another interest of mine, with Mexico being my favourite destination so far and a road trip across the USA still on my list.