Q & A with Philip
How did you get into financial services?
I started my career in financial services over 15 years ago, working in bancassurance after beginning as a cashier. It gave me a great grounding in helping people make informed financial decisions and sparked my interest in financial planning. I joined Insight in March 2023.
What are your areas of expertise?
Lifestyle financial planning, helping clients align their finances with the life they want to live.
What advice have you given that helped a client and made you proud?
Helping a client realise they were actually in a much stronger position than they thought. By using cashflow planning, we were able to show that they could afford to retire earlier than expected, which completely changed their outlook on the future.
What do you love helping clients with?
Helping clients turn uncertainty into clarity. Whether they’re approaching retirement, planning for their family’s future, or simply wondering if they’re on the right track, I enjoy giving them confidence and a clear plan to move forward.
Start saving for your future self as early as you can. Time is one of the most powerful assets you have when it comes to building wealth.
Makes complex decisions more manageable
I have been with Insight for several years now and have always been impressed with the service. My advisor Phil Donnelly has taken the time to understand my financial goals and offered clear, tailored advice that made complex decisions seem manageable. No pressure, no hard sell just facts laid out for you to make informed decisions. Phil explains everything so well and I never feel embarrassed in asking basic questions. Highly recommend Insight and Phil Donnelly for anyone seeking trustworthy financial advice.
More about Philip
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever helped a client fund?
A camper van! The financial planning was the easy part, listening to all the travel plans and adventures they had lined up was the fun bit.
What’s your personal financial freedom dream?
To generate enough passive income to comfortably cover my monthly expenses. To me, financial freedom is all about having choices and flexibility in how I spend my time.
Tell us about something you’ve done for charity.
Each year I take part in either the Clapham to Brighton cycle ride or the Royal Marsden Walk to help raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. It’s a great cause and a good excuse to test whether my legs still work afterwards.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever spent money on?
My first car at 18. It wasn’t glamorous, but it represented freedom, independence and probably a few questionable music choices on long drives.
What’s the one luxury you could never give up?
Escaping the daily routine with a trip to David Lloyd for the gym, spa and a game of tennis. Everyone needs their reset button.
What’s something colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?
Outside of work, my faith and local community play an important role in my life, helping to keep me grounded and reminding me that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Keep learning, read widely, and never stop investing in yourself. Oh, and always treat people with respect – that pays dividends too.