Many will recognise Eight Wealth Management as a sponsor of Havant Hockey Club. As a premier partner of the UK’s most prominent investment house, St James’s Place, the company has supported advisors like me from offices across Hampshire, Dorset and Buckinghamshire and, most recently, supporting ex-pats living abroad in the Far and Middle East.
I cannot remember a time in my life without a passion for hockey. From watching my dad play as a young boy before starting with Alton U10’s to being invited to play for a men’s team at the age of 14 and, after joining the Royal Navy, playing goalkeeper for the RN U23’s and Combined Service U23 squads, hockey has been my longest love.
I have met the most outstanding players and inspirational coaches who have enabled me to grow in knowledge, ability and skill and apply it to various teams across all Leagues.
Just like the sports players and athletes I admire, I knew my service career would have a shelf life, and I would leave at an age where I still needed to work, be stimulated and have a purpose. It was at this point, eight years ago, when I was recommended to explore financial planning with (appropriately named) Eight Wealth Management based in Whiteley, and I could not be more grateful.
I have found being a financial advisor fascinating, challenging and tremendously satisfying. Working with people to build their future while they focus on achieving their immediate goals sometimes feels like the bond between teammates. At other times, it feels like being in the trusted and advisory position of the coach.
The biggest professional compliments I have received are those telling me I have changed people’s perceptions of financial advisors. From savings and pensions to estate planning and Inheritance Tax, I have helped individuals make the most of their money, business owners protect and benefit tax efficiently from their businesses, and families protect their financial future.
The strongest love of my life has been from building a home with my wife, Beth, and our daughter, Matilda. Like so many people, finance and wealth is about providing the best possible life for them to enjoy and thrive in. Just as I plan my future with and for my family, I am delighted to be doing the same for others.
Matilda is turning into quite a sportswoman, but rather than following her father onto the hockey pitch, she has developed a passion for cricket, watching it for hours and becoming a good little player. After being recently selected for Hampshire U11, I cannot help but imagine (like any proud father) what her life would be like if she pursues the dream she currently talks about – playing cricket for England.
Through Matilda’s and my sporting achievements, I have met with women’s sports teams and seen a real need for support and understanding of their financial futures and security. As these women pursue their ambitions of parity and equal recognition to their male counterparts, they should be given the same access to financial protection, and this has become my latest passion project.
My experience of both financial planning and fatherhood has also strengthened my belief in financial education for young people. Though I volunteer wherever I can and accept invitations to schools and colleges, I do think financial education needs to be in the National
Curriculum as a core life skill, allowing the next generation to understand money, banking, the benefits of saving and financial security.
I hope to change the financial lives of as many people as I can, helping them to understand their finances, build their financial future, and, just like any of us out there on the hockey pitch, gain the confidence and excitement from knowing they are doing the best they can.
