Nick Heylar

“A mature and open conversation that comes as standard.”

My career started in the fast-moving world of money markets, trading currencies and contracts with major banks across the globe. Four years on and it dawned on me that I didn’t want to keep serving large institutions. I wanted to sit across the desk from real people, understand their lives, and actually help them build a future worth having.

So, in 1998 I made the switch, joining what was then Abbey National, before it became Abbey, later known as Santander. Over the next 28 years, I worked across a wide range of roles including line management and private banking, building up a reputation as someone clients genuinely trust. I left in October last year and joined Kingswood in January, bringing nearly three decades of expertise with me.

I pride myself on building strong, long-term client relationships and consider that my greatest strength. I am experienced across all areas of financial planning including retirement planning, investments, Inheritance Tax planning, and family protection. I’m able to offer clients access to a more bespoke investment offering, backed by specialist investment analysts, with client relationships always at the heart of everything I do.

As a wealth planner, I’m open, honest and make a point of getting to know the person sitting in front of me just as much as the numbers. I bring humour to what can otherwise be quite a heavy subject, and I believe the best financial conversations are two-way and very open – as well as offering advice, I like the client to get to know me as a person, not just an adviser.

Outside the office, I’m a keen golfer and cricketer, and especially enjoy coaching and mentoring players across all junior levels at my cricket club, Tonbridge CC. I see a clear crossover between nurturing young players and advising clients: both demand empathy, communication, and genuine care for the person in front of you.