“Seeing the world taught me that building wealth is only worth it if you know what it’s for.”
Before I came into financial planning, I spent years helping people out of serious debt, then moved into later life planning – specialising in wills and lasting powers of attorney (LPA). Both areas were rewarding, but both were transactional. You’d help someone, then wave them off. I wanted something different: genuine, long-term relationships where I could actually watch someone’s plan unfold.
In between careers, my wife and I did something most people only dream about: we travelled the world. Three separate trips, 70 countries across all continents, from backpacking through Southeast Asia to driving a camper van along the Australian coast and trekking through South and Central America. The one thing that struck us the most was that wealth doesn’t equal happiness. Some of the most content people we met had very little. That realisation sits at the centre of how I plan for clients today.
When I’m working with you, I want to understand your ‘why’. Not just “I want to retire comfortably”, but what does that actually look like? What are you building towards? Growing your money for its own sake isn’t a plan – it’s a number. Real planning starts when we work out what the number is in service of.
I’m also very straightforward about the things clients often overlook. Most people come to me focused on pensions or investments, and we absolutely work through those. But one of the biggest gaps I see is protection – the ‘what ifs’. What if you can’t work? What if the unexpected happens? Those questions can unravel even the best-laid plans, so I make sure we look at the whole picture rather than just the headline goal.
I joined Cullen Wealth in 2024, initially working in the corporate team, where I helped employees make informed financial decisions through their workplace benefits. I later transitioned to the private client team, where my focus is on building meaningful, long-term relationships and helping clients achieve their financial goals with confidence.
In April 2026, after several years of hard work and dedication, I achieved Chartered Financial Planner status, having passed every exam at the first attempt.
My approach is simple: I listen more than I talk. I believe trust is built by understanding a client’s concerns, often before they’ve even had the chance to voice them – and providing clear, thoughtful advice that gives them confidence in the decisions they make.
Outside of work, I’m a keen hiker and cook, with a VW camper van and a barbecue that sees more use than my golf clubs. My first child arrived in July, which feels like the next great adventure – and one more reason to make sure every financial plan I build is genuinely fit for the life someone wants to live.
