“Solving problems is what I do – from pensions to people, nothing is too complex.”
I nearly became a dentist. Thankfully – for both me and my clients – I had a last-minute change of heart and fell into financial services instead. That chance decision in 1989 turned out to be the best one I’ve ever made.
My first role was in the small self-administered scheme (SSAS) department at Scottish Amicable, and I fell in love with the work immediately – the variety, the complexity, the chance to meet clients and find real solutions to real problems. That instinct has never left me. A few years later, life took another unexpected turn: I met my wife on holiday in Greece, followed her to Northern Ireland in 1998, and have been based here ever since. Between the SSAS, the Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning and the motorbikes, I’ve never had a dull moment.
Today, as a Director and Chartered Financial Planner at Doherty, I specialise in two areas I’m genuinely passionate about: SSAS pension arrangements and estate planning, including IHT mitigation and wealth transfer. These aren’t just technical exercises – they’re about solving the big, complex problems that keep business owners and families up at night. A SSAS exists because there’s usually a problem that needs a flexible solution. IHT planning is the same: it’s a significant issue that deserves a clear, considered answer.
What I value most in this work is the long-term relationship. I’ve been working with one client for nearly 28 years – guiding them through a business exit, the trauma of an armed robbery, a dispute with a builder that left them asset rich but cash poor, a significant tax issue, and eventually a fresh start. There’s no investment return that captures the value of being the person someone calls when life gets complicated. That’s where I feel I can help most.
I joined Doherty in 1998 when it had seven staff. It now employs 33 people – all through organic growth, not acquisition. Being part of building that is something I’m quietly proud of.
Away from work, I’m a self-confessed petrol head. If you’ve only ever seen me in a suit, you might be surprised to bump into me in leathers on a motorbike. I’m also a golfer – though I’d be the first to admit the less said about that, the better.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to make the most of a SSAS, or you’re thinking about how to pass on your wealth in the most tax-efficient way, I’d welcome the chance to talk. The most complex problems often have the most satisfying solutions – and after 35 years, I’ve seen almost everything.
