“I want it to feel like a chat over coffee – honest, easy, and genuinely useful.”
At 16, I sat the entrance tests for the Royal Navy. I didn’t make the cut – they were only taking the top 5% that year – but that experience taught me that a setback isn’t a dead end, it’s a change of direction. I landed a role at National Mutual on a Government Youth Training Scheme (YTS) placement, expecting it to be a stepping stone. Twenty-six years later, I’m still in financial services and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m an Employee Engagement Consultant at Mattioli Woods, which means I work directly with employees – not employers. My focus is on helping people understand the workplace pension they’re already paying into and making sure they’re getting the most from it. Pensions have a reputation for being complicated. They’re not. I’ve spent the best part of my career making that case, and watching the penny drop is still one of the most satisfying parts of my job.
A lot of people arrive at a meeting braced for a lecture. What they get instead is a conversation – think coffee and biscuits rather than a boardroom. I’m not here to tell you what you already know. I’m here to fill in the gaps, cut through the misinformation, and help you think about what you want your future to look like. Whether that’s retiring early, reducing how long you’ll need to work, or simply knowing your contributions are doing the job they’re supposed to – that’s what we’ll work through together.
Some of the best feedback I receive comes from employees who say they came in sceptical and left genuinely engaged. A few have even told their employers they’ll only do the annual member meetings if I’m the one coming back. That kind of trust isn’t something you can manufacture – it builds over time.
The State Pension is pushing further away, and the idea of working until 80 isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed. If you want a different retirement to the default one – on your terms, at a time that suits you – the decisions you make now matter more than most people realise. Sometimes it’s as small as increasing contributions by 1% every couple of years. I’ll help you understand what you’ve actually got, what it’s heading towards, and what you can do about it.
I didn’t plan a career in finance. I aimed for the Navy, didn’t make the grade, and ended up somewhere far better suited to who I am. Sometimes the change of direction is the right one. If your pension feels like something you’ve been meaning to look at properly, this is a good place to start.
Outside of work, I’m a lifelong West Bromwich Albion supporter (my dad was born in West Brom and had a season ticket), a dedicated Formula 1 fan, and someone who exercises every weekday without fail – whether that’s running, walking, or swimming.
