Hi there, my name’s George and I’m a Chartered Financial Planner based in South London. 

WHY I BECAME A FINANCIAL PLANNER

My dad was my hero.

As a proud working class man from the North East, he instilled in me the meaning of hard work, decency and having pride in what you do.

When I was around 10 years old he started having trouble with money. Though I didn't understand it at the time. The impact and the stresses of this had started to take a toll on him.

I saw how difficult that was for him to try and explain to his only son we weren't able to do certain things anymore or why we had to move house.

He always was, an exceptional Father, but this interaction with money had lasting impact on me.

Shortly after he passed away, I started in this profession. What spoke to me was how managing finances well can lead to security and freedom. It's a tragedy that we aren't teaching these things in school as often relatively simple changes with money can have a life-changing impact.

What gets me out of bed in the morning is to try and make this difference in my clients' lives. So they can achieve financial freedom, or have a retirement of dignity and independence.

So they can achieve a position that they never have to worry.

Freedom and wealth mean different things to different people but to borrow from my favourite quote on money:

FALLING INTO THE PROFESSION

I was always interested in business and economics, but unsure what to do after finishing my education.

The infinite wisdom of my younger self took my first step into the working world for the UK's worst hotel chain (source: TripAdvisor).

There’s a playful article on my blog where I reflect on this.

During this time I was following my passion at the time of music. After many years of various projects. One project had enough momentum to land a contract with a well-established music management company. Allowing us to go full time.

After a few fun years, it was clear the project had run its course. So I found myself looking for a new start and due to chance, I landed in this profession. Immediately I took to it as I could combine my earlier interests in business with helping manage the intersection between money and life.

Ever since then I've been dedicated to doing everything to be the very best I could be. Working my way up through administration, to technical roles and eventually, to become a Chartered Financial Planner. Considered the ‘gold standard’ adviser qualification in the UK. Completing my Fellowship with the Personal Finance Society in 2023.

Any advice I give is independent, meaning that it is provided without a bias or affiliation with any specific providers, products, or services. As far as the figures:

• In 2021 there were reportedly 27,839 staff advising on retail investment products.

• There are around 5,000 Chartered Financial Planners in the UK.

What I believe

• Money is important but it is a tool to live the life we want, not an end in itself.

• Time is your most valuable asset.

• An adviser gets to hold a very privileged place in your life. We learn as much about your hopes and dreams as a family member, as much of the finances as your accountant and have the influence of a close friend. Due to this the relationship has to be built upon trust.

• You will have goals, hopes and dreams but in order to achieve that, you’ll likely have to navigate trade-offs. Part of my role is to hold you accountable to your best intentions.

• The planning comes first, financial products or investments must be in service to the financial plan.

• Uncertainty is a natural part of life. A planner’s role is to reduce that uncertainty, but it is impossible to remove that altogether.

• A plan is worthless if we cannot stick to it.