Meet the Team

I’m the founder and Principal of Forbes Financial, which I started in 2008. Having been advising for some 25 years, I understand what it means to be a good adviser.

I always say the best tools I have are my ears, as the only way I can give proper, meaningful advice is to take the time to properly understand my clients’ needs. This involves me asking a lot of questions. I call my work ‘real financial planning’.

Real financial planning is about taking the time to fully understand clients, their current position, and their goals and aspirations for the future. It’s about finding out what makes them tick and what is most important to them. I then align planning and solutions to what they say is important to them. In taking this approach, I keep the client at the centre of everything I do, which tends to build close and trusted relationships. I’ve been advising many of my clients for over two decades.

My values are based on a good work ethic, trust, and continual improvement – as demonstrated by the fact that I’m taking the journey towards becoming a Chartered Financial Planner. I’m currently halfway through this process.

Alongside delivering the right outcomes for my clients, I’m also exceptionally proud of having grown a fantastic team of professionals who work alongside me. Together, we help our clients take their own journey towards achieving their aspirations and goals.

I have worked within the Financial Services Industry for over 17 years. In 2018 I achieved my professional qualification with the Chartered Insurance Institute and I have a Level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.

Since starting my career I have built up a significant level of experience in both running a Practice and working within the Advisory and Administrative areas including Paraplanning.

My main role at Forbes Financial Ltd is Operations Director where each day varies as I oversee many aspects of the business. My role keeps me involved with paraplanning and client servicing matters, where one of my main goals is to ensure we all provide quality service to our clients and deliver this on a consistent basis.

Why do I enjoy working in Financial Services?

Each day is different and offers something new which keeps the role interesting and challenging. I like to help and look after the clients of the Practice to make sure their needs are met.

Coming soon!

I have been in financial services for more years than I care to mention.  I have worked for providers, national IFAs, one-man bands and everything in between covering all aspects over the years.

I have been a Practice Manager for over 9 years now for various sizes of business.  I enjoy the challenge of joining a new practice.  Every adviser and every practice, in theory, work the same but the actual “mechanism” varies greatly so there is always something new to learn, even if it is only new IT systems.  

For the last couple of years, I have been helping a mortgage adviser establish a new business with a focus on compliance and writing processes. I enjoyed this very much, but this is all complete now and it is time for a new challenge.

My role at Forbes Financial involves the day-to-day running of the practice, looking after our staff, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to fulfil their responsibilities, keeping up with all the regulatory requirements from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and developing the business for the ongoing wellbeing of the practice and, more importantly, our clients.  I am also responsible for looking at our processes to see if they can be improved, not only to make our lives easier but to make everything simpler for our clients.  

One of the best parts of my job is developing relationships with our clients, helping them through the complexities that are pensions and investments, to achieve their goals for the future.

I hold the Certificate in Regulated Financial Services Operations, the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Awards in Financial Administration for both Life and Pensions.  I am currently studying for the Certificate in Equity Release and then aim to complete my Diploma in Financial Planning.

I have a special interest in vulnerable clients, and financial and economic abuse and am a Certified Financial Abuse Specialist. In addition, I am an Associate of the Institute of Professional Willwriters, enabling me to write Wills and Powers of Attorney.

I am looking forward to working with you. 

During my career, I have worked in the legal, banking and financial sector for a period of nearly 22 years. I joined Forbes Financial Ltd in March 2016 and have completed the St. James’s Place Paraplanner Accreditation Programme I am now studying to become CII Diploma qualified.

I work as a Paraplanner and part of my role involves working with the advisers of the Practice where I assist them with their analysis and reports, which form part of their recommendation, covering all areas of their advice such as pension, investment, estate planning and protection. I also carry out research for specific needs, prepare the annual review documents and assist with client servicing matters.

I am highly organised, have an analytical mind and enjoy client interaction when I am not drafting reports!

Why do I enjoy working in Financial Services?

The recommendations for clients are put together on the basis of the client’s best interest which gives a sense of reward where we are helping the client improve their financial position.

Financial services is an ever-changing industry that allows my personal development to progress on an ongoing basis.