LIVES
North Somerset
FAMILY
Wife, 2 children, a cat and a gecko
STARTED AT JM FINN
2004
FAVOURITE BOOK
How not to say what you mean, RW Holder
FIRST HERO
Andre Agassi
PASSION
Tennis, watching rugby and cricket, motorsport
NEXT HOLIDAY
Spain
MOST PROUD ACHIEVEMENT
My daughter and son
FAVOURITE FILM
Gladiator
FAVOURITE LOCKDOWN MOMENT
Managing to celebrate my 40th party in our garden the weekend before the Rule of 6 came into force.
PET HATE
Motorists who fail to say thank you when you give way!
As you know we’ve recently been nominated for another industry award. What do you think specifically helps us stand out from our clients’ perspective?
I personally believe it’s our focus on client service. This can be seen throughout the whole company and is reflected in the consistently positive feedback we have received via a number of client surveys conducted over the years. This service manifests itself by being able to offer bespoke investment management tailored to client’s individual and family circumstances as well as being a partner to them over the long term.
What’s the key in your view to a successful client / investment management partnership?
As a firm I think we excel in our regular communications with clients when compared to our peers. Clients know that they have a direct line to their investment manager or a member of the team who recognise them, know their portfolio and are able to help them with any queries they might have.
How did your newest client find their way to you?
My two most recent clients have been firstly, a friend of my age who approached me about their pension situation which is becoming increasingly important for Generation X and Millennials. The second responded to a newspaper advertisement and was an introduction via our wealth planning team.
What do you see as your clients' primary challenges for their wealth?
This year in particular will see a difficult combination of higher taxes, energy costs and inflation at the highest level in 30 years, leading to real reductions in purchasing power, regardless of income. This may reduce the level of savings that hitherto might have been used to invest into tax efficient wrappers such as ISAs and SIPPs for longer term wealth accumulation, thus placing long term challenges on all savers.
Given a crystal ball, what do you see as the main themes for 2022 from an investor’s perspective?
Whilst I am loathed to make predictions, the length of time that inflation remains at elevated levels, and how central banks respond, will weigh on markets and the current seriousness of the pre-emotive actions by Russia will mean volatility in markets will remain at elevated levels. It will be prudent to have a diverse asset allocation where equities, index-linked gilts and alternative assets that will be best placed to cope with elevated inflation.
