What brought you to Active?
I joined Yorkshire Bank as an Independent Financial Adviser in 2005 to gain experience in corporate financial planning and it was Paul Gibson who interviewed me. I worked with Paul and Karl (Pemberton) for two years in the (bank’s) Private Banking section where we enjoyed a great working relationship.
When Yorkshire Bank began to change its operating structure, it was obvious that Paul and Karl would, one day, end up in business together. I joined Active Chartered Financial Planners in 2007 and worked with Glyn Pemberton (Karl’s dad) when the office was based in Guisborough. Shortly after that, Karl joined and then Paul and from then they have worked very hard to build an excellent business – a business I am very proud to be part of.
What do you do at Active on a day to day basis?
My core areas of expertise are providing advice for investments and pensions, although I do work with clients on a full range of products, including business and personal protection.
As part of our client review process, I speak to my clients regularly and help them to keep their financial objectives on track to achieve their goals of financial security.
Keeping up to date with the forever changing landscape of financial advice means that I am always reading articles, watching webinars, joining a study session or taking an exam.
Are you doing any training/further development?
Continued professional development is a huge part of my role as an IFA. I sat my final exam recently to become a Chartered Financial Planner so I am really pleased that’s now complete.
What skills have you brought from your previous job?
Working in the banks really taught me the importance of team work; everyone working together and supporting each other to achieve greater results. I have been an adviser since 1993, so I have seen the industry change a lot over time; keeping calm when things are difficult and markets are volatile has really helped in my role.
Why do you love working at Active?
We are at work for so much of our adult lives, so to work with people that you like and have fun with is so important! The people and the core beliefs we all share here are what I love – The Active Spirit is a thing!!
What do you like doing outside of work?
I love my weekends! I enjoy cycling to keep fit and I love a round of golf. Although I am no longer a season ticket holder at MFC, I do continue to support them – an afternoon at the match and a couple of pints with friends is always great fun!
Tell us some final fascinating facts about yourself
I have a honours degree in Civil Engineering, but decided it wasn’t the career for me, so I pursued a career in financial services instead.
I joined Active in December 2005 which makes me the longest serving member of the team!
