“In triathlon, transition separates the good from the great – planning does too.”
In triathlon, there’s a moment called transition – the stretch between swimming, cycling and running where everything can either unravel or click into place. Get it right and it costs you nothing. Get it wrong and the race can be over before you’ve dried off. I spent years competing in triathlons and duathlons, and the lesson I took from every start line was the same one I bring to every client: preparation shapes the outcome.
I started my career in occupational pensions administration which sounds dry, but it taught me something invaluable: most people don’t understand pensions, and that’s not their fault. Jargon and complexity get in the way. When you strip that back, meet people where they are, and explain things clearly, something shifts. There’s a light bulb moment where they have genuine understanding, confidence, and real engagement with their financial future. After 25 years working in pensions and employee benefits, I still find those moments as satisfying as ever.
Today, I advise employers on workplace pension schemes, group protection and healthcare, and identify areas where additional support is needed such as financial educational sessions for employees, and the technology that brings it all to life. Platforms like MWorks are changing how employees engage with their benefits, giving people direct access to their pensions, private medical insurance and other employee benefits. I enjoy helping employers make the most of that. Technology is only going to play a bigger role in employee wellbeing going forward, and helping clients stay ahead of that curve is one of the most interesting parts of the job.
My approach is straightforward. I don’t assume, I ask. I take the time to understand what an employer is actually trying to achieve, and then I plan it carefully, execute it well, and follow through. That last part matters more than people realise. Saying what you’re going to do, and then doing it in a timely, professional manner, builds more trust than almost anything else.
Good employee benefits advice isn’t one dramatic moment – it’s every stage being planned, delivered well, and reviewed. Just like triathlon, the work happens long before race day. That’s the standard I hold myself to, from the first conversation to the finish line.
Outside of work, I’ve swapped the triathlons for CrossFit, alongside running and cycling.
