“I describe myself as a financial mechanic. I have a whole toolbox of solutions – but the skill is in using the right tool for the right problem.”
The first time I really understood what money meant was when my parents separated, when I was about ten. I remember worrying that we would not cope. In reality, we did – my mum simply adjusted how we lived. We were a little more careful, a little more considered, but I did not miss out. That experience stayed with me. It taught me how closely money and emotional security are linked, and it gave me a deep empathy for people making decisions under pressure.
After graduating with an honours degree in Business Economics from the University of Leicester, I spent 11 years in the printing industry, ultimately running our family business as director and general manager. There were good years and some very difficult ones. I learned what it means to carry responsibility when cash flow is tight and decisions have real consequences – balancing people, suppliers and survival. It taught me that most problems don’t have quick fixes; they require time, care, a clear plan and a realistic timetable. Running a business gave me a deep, practical understanding of cash flow, accountability, and the opportunities – and pressures – that entrepreneurs live with every day.
I joined Mattioli Woods in 2017 and focused on building strong, personal relationships with my clients. When the pandemic hit in 2020, that mattered. In the first two weeks, I called every single client – around 170 calls – simply to ask, “Are you okay? Do you need anything?” That, for me, is what this job is about. Not just plans and numbers but being present when people need reassurance.
One principle I come back to time and again is that cash flow is king. You can design the most technically perfect financial plan – optimising tax, moving money efficiently – and still cause stress if you lose sight of the bigger picture. Sometimes the right advice is saying, “Yes, we could save more tax – but that would leave you under pressure. Let’s be sensible.” Comfort and sustainability often matter more than perfection.
Over time, I have developed a particular passion for Inheritance Tax planning. What fascinates me about it is that it’s rarely just about efficiency. It’s about how people feel. I’ve helped clients reduce seven-figure IHT liabilities who’ve said they’re perfectly comfortable paying the tax because they want control. I’ve also had clients with relatively small liabilities who are determined to mitigate every pound. There is no right answer – only what feels right for the individual.
That‘s where the idea of being a financial mechanic really fits. I have a full toolbox, but my job is not to use every tool. It’s to use the right one. I go on a journey with each client: we agree where they’re starting from, where they want to get to, and how to get there safely. Along the way, I help manage speed, risk and direction – and each year, we stop for a check-up to make sure everything is still running smoothly.
I’m constantly grateful to do work that helps people navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives – not just when things are going well, but when they’re complicated.
Outside of work, I’m a family man and a lifelong Leicester Tigers supporter. I also describe myself as a goth – a metalhead who keeps the darkness on the inside these days… although my Spotify Wrapped (thanks to my children) would suggest otherwise.
