Q & A with Kritesh

How did you get into financial services?

I came into financial services from a sales background. I liked parts of it, especially working with people, but I didn’t see it as a long-term career for me. I wanted something more secure for my family and a role where I could build a proper future, which is what led me into financial advice.

What are your areas of expertise?

Retirement planning, investment advice, protection planning, estate planning and helping clients create clear financial strategies to achieve their long-term goals.

What do you love helping clients with?

Achieving their goals. Whether that’s retiring comfortably, helping their children through education, buying a dream home or simply gaining confidence in their financial future, it’s incredibly rewarding to see clients achieve what matters most to them.

What advice have you given that helped a client and made you proud?

One of the most rewarding experiences was helping a client who thought retirement was still years away realise they could retire earlier than expected. By reviewing their finances, simplifying their arrangements and creating a clear plan, we gave them the confidence to know they can retire if they wanted to. This took the pressure off and they now enjoy their work more knowing that they are at work out of choice and not because they have to be.

More about Kritesh

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever helped a client fund?

A safari in Namibia.

Tell us about something you’ve done for a colleague.

I enjoy supporting colleagues whenever I can, whether that’s sharing knowledge or helping newer team members build their confidence.

One experience that has always stayed with me was when I was studying to become a financial adviser. Whenever I was struggling to understand a particular concept, I would call local advisers and ask if they could spare five minutes of their time to explain it. I genuinely didn’t expect many people to help, given how busy they are and the fact that they didn’t know me.

What surprised me was how willing people were to give up their time and share their knowledge, despite there being nothing in it for them. That was a real turning point for me. It showed me the kind of people the profession attracts and reinforced my desire to build a career in financial advice.

It’s also one of the reasons I enjoy helping colleagues today. I benefited from the generosity of others when I was starting out, so I always try to pay that forward whenever I can.

What’s your personal financial freedom dream?

My personal financial freedom dream is to be able to take my son on two or three holidays every year, showing him different parts of the world and creating memories together without having to worry about the cost. For me, financial freedom is about having the flexibility and peace of mind to enjoy those experiences with my family while knowing our future is secure.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever spent money on?

Travelling with my family. The memories, experiences and perspectives you gain are priceless.

I didn’t step foot on a plane until I was 21, when I went on a holiday with friends. Growing up, family holidays simply weren’t an option because we couldn’t afford them. That experience opened my eyes to the world and made me realise the value of seeing different places, cultures and ways of life.

It’s one of the reasons I now place such importance on travel. Being able to create those experiences with my own family and give my son opportunities that I didn’t have growing up is something I value enormously.

What’s the one luxury you could never give up?

Holidays!

What’s something colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

Colleagues might be surprised to learn that I’m a bit of a police documentary enthusiast. I enjoy seeing how investigators analyse information, connect the dots and solve problems.