“As a financial planner my job satisfaction comes from knowing that I am helping my clients sleep easier at night in the knowledge that that I am managing their accumulated wealth and financial planning requirements so that they don’t need to. Much of my time is spent truly getting to know my clients, their full financial position, their goals and ambitions, their needs and objectives, and turning all of this information into a suitable strategy for managing their finances.”

“I am a Chartered Financial Planner, a Certified Financial Planner and hold the Investment Management Certificate and Diploma in Insurance. I read Law at Durham University, which has proved surprisingly helpful in financial planning, in particular when it comes to setting-out and articulating complex analysis and recommendations. While these financial qualifications are important and set us apart from our competitors, we also believe that experience counts! Richard and I have between us almost three decades of experience in the financial services industry working with high net worth clients.”

“Being a firm of Chartered Financial Planners helps demonstrate that we want to be, and to stay, at the very top of the financial planning profession. It helps signify a commitment to academic achievement, continuing professional development and adherence to a strict code of ethics. All this is intended to benefit our clients by allowing them to relax knowing that they are being well served.”

“As a child I can remember keeping a notebook with a record of all the coins in my piggy-bank. At school I developed a keen interest in finance, which continued at university and led to me doing a number of courses and internships with several of the “Big-5” accountants as then was. A graduate traineeship at a City of London wealth manager followed and I have been working in financial planning ever since. I love the personal aspect of working with private individuals rather than corporate clients; it’s great to feel like you’re making a positive difference to someone’s life!”

“My favourite way to unwind is to ski. My idea of heaven is a sunny day in the Alps with a fresh dusting of snow, good company and the wind in my hair (though I wear a helmet, having seen too many bad falls!). In the summer, scuba diving opens up a whole new world and has taken me to the Maldives, Zanzibar and the Red Sea. I also love walking and have made many trips to the Pyrenees, Massif Central, Snowdonia and the Highlands. I make a habit of writing down my goals as I think of them. When revisiting the list, I’m always amazed how many I’m able to tick off. Moving to the countryside and starting Fresh Perspective were both life goals that I had for years before they were able to become a reality, a testament to careful planning.”

“My father died while I was at university. Until then he had managed every aspect of the family finances. As the eldest child it suddenly fell on me to get everything in order and try to ensure the financial security of my Mum and brother. It was a tough time for the whole family and a steep learning curve for me. I learned about life assurance, endowments, ISAs, shares, and the very different treatment of Dad’s final salary pension death benefits before the scheme retirement date as opposed to after. I also learned a lot about financial advisers and wealth management having been on the receiving end of transactional commission-based advice with Mum. I quickly learned its short-comings and the merit of a more holistic approach, which is the direction I have pursued ever since.”