“Building wealth is straightforward – what takes skill is knowing when to enjoy it.”
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been interested in money and how it shapes people’s lives. That curiosity stayed with me, and after completing my degree I focused on building a career in financial planning. I contacted firms directly until I secured an administrative role at a respected firm, where I gained hands‑on experience across technical planning, investment processes and client work. Over the following years, I completed eight professional exams and developed a strong foundation in delivering high‑quality advice.
Since joining Mattioli Woods as a financial planner, I’ve focused on helping clients get the most from their financial arrangements and ensuring their strategies remain aligned with their goals. Many of the cases I’ve taken on have benefited from a fresh review, whether that’s adjusting risk levels, improving withdrawal strategies or updating portfolios to better reflect long‑term objectives. One example was a client who had been moving large sums from her pension into cash savings for several years. After reviewing her situation, it became clear her cautious portfolio wasn’t supporting her needs.
That’s the thread running through my work. I’m not an adviser who nods, ticks a box and moves on. I think independently, I give clients an honest view even when the conversation is uncomfortable, and I focus on explaining risk in a way that actually makes sense. Many clients who initially say they want low risk don’t fully understand what that choice costs them over time. Once we talk it through properly, they become more confident in their decisions. Seeing that shift in understanding is genuinely rewarding.
I also spend a lot of time thinking about the wider purpose of financial planning. It isn’t only about building wealth; it’s about having the health, time and people around you to enjoy it. I work with clients who have built substantial portfolios but may never have the opportunity to use them in the way they once imagined. It’s a reminder that good planning is about aligning money with the life someone wants to live, not just increasing a number on a statement.
