Matthew Lowe

“Good financial advice isn’t just about numbers, it’s about making sure people feel heard, secure, and in control.”

When I was at primary school, Yorkshire Bank used to visit us every week. You’d bring in whatever pocket money or earnings you had, they’d stamp your book, and just like that, saving became a habit. My dad reinforced it at home too. His rule was simple: save before you spend. I didn’t come from a particularly wealthy background, and those early lessons weren’t about building a fortune, they were about discipline, security, and understanding that small, consistent decisions add up to something meaningful over time.

I’ve worked in financial services since 2004 and joined Mattioli Woods in 2013, becoming a wealth management consultant in 2018 after achieving the Chartered Insurance Institute Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning. I work with a range of clients, from directors of small and medium-sized enterprises to those in senior professional and executive roles. I also mentor within our Financial Adviser Academy, supporting the next generation of consultants as they develop.

Given this background, I understand what it feels like to be at the start of a financial planning journey: uncertain, perhaps a little overwhelmed, and not always sure what questions to ask. That empathy influences how I work. When markets become volatile, I don’t wait for clients to call me, I’m already on the front foot, addressing concerns before they become worried. I aim to respond to every client within 24 hours, even if it’s just to say I’m looking into it. Being heard matters, and it builds the kind of trust that lasts.

One of the most significant relationships I’ve had in recent years came about when a long-standing client passed away, leaving his spouse to navigate not only her grief but a sudden and significant responsibility, including shares in his business. She had, in her own words, very limited awareness of the financial picture. Over the following months, I sat with her through meetings with solicitors and accountants, helped her understand her position step by step, and made sure she always knew she could just pick up the phone. Watching her grow in confidence, start making her own financial decisions, and build a secure future for herself and her two daughters has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in this career.

The message I’d give to anyone at any stage is the same one a teacher and my dad gave me years ago: start early, be consistent, and make sure you have someone in your corner who is genuinely working for your best interests. That’s what I try to be for every client; not just when they reach out, but before they need to.

Outside of work, I spend as much time as I can with my family, and follow the fortunes (and occasional misfortunes) of Blackburn Rovers.