“When your finances are in good hands, you’re free to focus on living.”
Growing up, I watched two very different decisions play out with the same pot of money. My sister got her share of a small inheritance and bought an ex-racehorse, convinced it would be the next big star. It broke its leg in the field and had to be put down. I put mine into an Individual Savings Account (ISA), saved hard, and bought my first house at 23. That moment has never left me – and it’s a large part of the reason I do what I do.
Money, when it’s carefully looked after, opens doors. When it isn’t, it disappears faster than you think. After more than 22 years in financial services – starting part-time at Lloyds Banking Group while at university before moving into a full-time position once I graduated – then moving into independent advice before joining what is now Mattioli Woods in 2012 – I’ve built a career on helping people make the most of what they’ve worked hard to earn.
Over the years I’ve developed a particular passion for Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. It’s a subject with real complexity – lots of moving parts, constantly evolving legislation, and genuinely difficult to navigate without the right guidance. I had a client recently who began our meeting convinced that a large IHT bill was simply their children’s problem. By the end, they were ready to act. Sometimes people just need someone to do the maths clearly and calmly.
What clients tend to value most is that I don’t hide behind technicalities. I give honest, practical guidance and I don’t let questions sit unanswered. If something is on a client’s mind, I’d far rather deal with it promptly than leave them carrying unnecessary worry. I work across retirement planning, pensions, investment solutions, and IHT planning – and I bring the same straightforward approach to all of it.
Relationships matter as much as the numbers. I’ve had clients for 20 years or more; some have become genuine friends – I even go horse riding with a few of them. When a client refers a friend or family member to me, that’s the moment I know I’m doing something right. It’s the clearest sign of trust there is. One client – who had unexpectedly inherited from her late father – came to me with no idea where to start. She’s now set up for life and has a confidence about her finances she’d never had before. Those are the outcomes that stay with me.
Outside of work, I’m a family person first and foremost. I live a country life – horses, dogs, and a village so quiet there isn’t even a shop. That perspective keeps me grounded. I think clients appreciate knowing there’s a real person on the other end of the phone: someone who understands that life comes first, and that good financial planning should fit around it.
