“Many people don’t realise how close they are to financial freedom.”
My working life started behind a supermarket deli counter – not exactly the conventional route into financial planning. But a chance opportunity led me into the profession, and over 30 years later, I can honestly say it was the best decision I ever made, workwise at least.
That unlikely beginning taught me something I carry into every client meeting: it doesn’t matter where you’re starting from. What matters is having a clear plan, someone who understands the detail, and the confidence to act on it. I’ve spent three decades helping people do exactly that.
One of the moments I find most rewarding is when a client tells me that they’d retire tomorrow if they could afford it – and I’m able to show them that they already can. What happens next is interesting: most of them don’t, not straight away, but something shifts. Suddenly they’re working because they want to, not because they have to. That change in perspective – from obligation to choice – is one of the most powerful things good financial planning can deliver, financial freedom
I work across the full range of wealth planning including retirement planning, investment management, Inheritance Tax planning, and protection. I like working with individuals and business owners to help them cut through the complexity and make decisions with real clarity. The rules around pensions, tax, and investments change constantly, and my job is to stay ahead of them so you don’t have to.
Over the years, I’ve built up qualifications that reflect my commitment to my clients, including Chartered Financial Planner, Chartered Wealth Manager and Certified Financial Planner licensee. Most recently I also earned my Master’s degree in Financial Planning and Business Management from Manchester Metropolitan University. The industry has evolved enormously but the fundamentals haven’t changed: people need someone they trust, who knows what they’re talking about and isn’t afraid to give them straight answers.
I founded my own business, Smythe & Walter in 2010, following a number of years leading the financial planning division of a London stockbroker. The firm became part of Kingswood – now Mattioli Woods – in 2021, which means clients benefit from the resources of a larger group alongside a relationship that remains personal and consistent.
Outside of work, I spend time with my family, get out on the bike when the weather is decent, and tackle a list of jobs at home which never seems to get shorter. Much like financial planning, it turns out DIY is mostly about having the right tools, a realistic timeline, and knowing when to call in an expert.
