“My goal is to be the person clients feel they can approach at any point – not just when a problem needs solving, but as a constant, reliable presence across their financial lives.”
I grew up watching my parents build something from nothing. They moved to Lincolnshire from very different backgrounds – my mother originally from South Africa, my father from the south of England. Together with my aunt and uncle, they started a garden centre from scratch. I saw first-hand what hard work, resilience and long-term thinking could create. When larger national firms eventually made it too difficult to compete, they didn’t walk away defeated – they adapted. A scaled-down version of that business is still running today, carried on by the next generation. That story shaped how I think about building things that last.
Around the same age I was watching my parents lay foundations, I started studying karate. By the time I was twelve, I’d earned my black belt. At fifteen, I was teaching classes as an assistant instructor. Later, I moved into Brazilian jiu-jitsu – one of the most humbling and technically demanding sports I’ve ever experienced. You can be physically stronger than your opponent and still be completely outmanoeuvred. It taught me that skill, patience and genuine understanding of the detail is essential in delivering a successful outcome. That’s as true in financial planning as it is on the mat.
I’ve been working in the financial advice industry since 2019 and qualified as a financial adviser in February 2025, joining Mattioli Woods shortly after. Over the years, I have gained broad experience across administration, paraplanning, and client-facing advice, with a particular focus on pensions. While pensions can be complex, I’ve found that my deeper understanding allows me to guide clients confidently and clearly through their options. Recently, I had the rewarding experience of helping my own parents navigate their pension choices as they plan for retirement. Sitting with someone you know and helping them see their choices clearly is a reminder of why this work matters. In addition to pensions, I’m also able to provide advice on investments, Inheritance Tax and protection planning, ensuring a holistic approach tailored to each client’s needs.
One case from my previous role has stayed with me. A client was navigating divorce, poor health and an urgent need to access her pension to secure both income and a deposit for a new home for herself and her children. The timescales were tight, the annuity providers presented real difficulties, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. We worked through every obstacle and got her the outcome she needed. She was extremely grateful. Moments like that are the reason I do this job.
I believe that building a long-lasting, trusted relationship with a client is just as important as the technical advice itself. My goal is to be the person clients feel they can approach at any point – not just when a problem needs solving, but as a constant, reliable presence across their financial lives. That relationship, done well, can extend across generations.
The discipline my parents modelled and the perseverance I developed through years of martial arts both point to the same thing: the important results don’t come quickly, but they do come. I’m at the start of my career, and I’m in no hurry to take shortcuts.
