Q & A with Billy
How did you get into financial services?
I started my career in accountancy and tax, where I worked for approx. 10 years. That gave me a really strong grounding in tax and an understanding of how the numbers fit together, but I found that I particularly enjoyed working directly with people.
Moving into financial advice felt like a natural progression. It allowed me to use the knowledge and experience I had built up while focusing much more on helping people make important decisions about their money and their future. That’s the part of the job I enjoy most.
What are your areas of expertise?
Retirement and pension planning, investments, tax-efficient planning and helping clients make sense of their overall financial position. I particularly enjoy bringing all the different areas of someone’s finances together into one clear, long-term plan.
What advice have you given that helped a client and made you proud?
Showing clients that financial planning doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes a simple plan and a few small changes can give someone much more confidence about their future, and seeing that change in a client is always really rewarding.
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever helped a client fund?
Probably a very expensive high-tech model boat. A client managed to sink someone else’s and, unfortunately for him, had to pay for the replacement! I’ve helped clients fund all sorts of things over the years, but that’s definitely one of the more unusual requests.
The best financial plan is often the simplest one. Know what you want to achieve, have a clear plan to get there and review it regularly. You don’t need to overcomplicate it.
More about Billy
What’s your personal financial freedom dream?
Financial freedom is different for everyone, but for me it’s having the freedom to spend more time with my family. Having the choice over how I spend my time is something I’m always working towards.
Tell us about something you’ve done for charity?
One that stands out is supporting a client who’s running the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK. We got behind his fundraising by sharing his JustGiving page across the business and helping raise awareness for a great cause. It was a small gesture that hopefully made a big difference.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever spent money on?
Christmas presents for my family. Christmas has always been a special time for me, and I really enjoy being able to give something back to the people closest to me each year.
What’s the one luxury you could never give up?
My football season ticket. It’s something I’ve always done with my Dad, so it’s about much more than just the football. It’s time we get to spend together and something I’d never want to give up.
Never stop learning and stay committed to what you want to achieve. Keep working towards your goals, even when progress feels slow. Consistency over time makes a huge difference.