“The best advice doesn’t involve telling people everything you know – it’s about understanding what they need to know to make informed decisions.”
I didn’t plan to work in financial services. I graduated with a history degree and, like many people leaving university in the mid-80s, I needed a job quickly. The first offer I got was with an insurance company in pensions administration and I took it. What I didn’t expect was how well it would suit me.
It turned out that studying history – including dates and details of legislation – was surprisingly good training. More than that, I discovered a natural instinct for problem solving, and seeing what people really needed but struggled to articulate because of the complex jargon. I could always provide the right information rather than overwhelming them with everything they might ever need in one go. Those lessons have shaped the way I approach building client relationships ever since.
I’ve been with Mattioli Woods since 2016 and have over 30 years’ experience in employee benefits. I work with businesses to design reward and benefit programmes that genuinely engage their people and give them reason to stay. It means understanding what a business needs at every level and making sure the solution works for everyone, not just the boardroom.
What I love about this work is that it’s always changing. The people change, the priorities change and the best solutions have to evolve and keep pace with the business. I’ve helped clients introduce employee engagement platforms, international benefit programmes and education services that have become central to how their people experience work. No two clients are the same, and I always try and be one step ahead. Good client relationships are built on trust, not the volume of information you can deliver. Outside of work, I’m very much an outdoor person. I have a place in Wales, so weekends often involve the beach, paddle boarding, walking my dog and finding the headspace that balances out an intense working week. It’s a reminder that knowing what you need – and making space for it – matters just as much in life as it does in a good benefits strategy.
