After our first ‘spotlight interview’ with our Managing Director, Andy, we decided it was about time that you got to know our other Wealth Managers too! We ‘spotlight interviewed’ Anthony, Liam, Dale, Elisabeth, Jock and Neil to hear a bit more about them and what they have been up to recently…
What are you most passionate about?
Liam Danaher – “Building a long-term trusted relationship with my clients and seeing them achieve they’re objectives, whether that’s retire early, save for a new house, look after loved ones or sell they’re business. Knowing that you’ve helped them get to that point is a great feeling.”
What is a work-related accomplishment that you are proud of?
Dale Longshaw – “Starting at FFM in the back office with the goal set to me to become an adviser within 4 years and achieving it only in 2 by working hard and showing my drive and motivation.”
Why is it important for people to get Financial Advice?
Anthony Ashworth – “‘I wish I saw you 20 years ago’ is the usual comment I get from my clients, so it is all about education for me. If you can make sensible decisions from an early age it puts you in such a strong position for the rest of your life!”
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
Neil Carney – “My Father was, and my brother is still in this industry and there is an obvious and inevitable family influence on everything I do. I am also lucky to have a great mentor in Andrew Chatterton our MD at Franklyn who also sets and expects the same very high standards.”
How do you spend your time when you are not working?
Jock Elliot – “I spend my time enjoying life with my wife Mary and two darling little girls Isla and Grace. They keep me on my toes, and I am thankful to have them by my side. Otherwise I love cooking and being outside come rain or shine.”
What is one important lesson you think we can all take from lockdown?
Elisabeth Alexander – “I think we’ve all been reminded of what is truly important to us, even the small things we remembered we enjoyed during this lockdown period and we should all work hard to keep that with us moving forwards”
What is your top tip for a young person who wants to become a Financial Adviser?
Liam Danaher – “Start early and don’t be put off if you don’t have the best school grades. Yes, a big art of this job is having the technical ability to be able to pass the exams give the right advice but that can be learnt over time. Ensuring you can talk to people, listen, and understand their needs and objectives and what is important to them, is crucial when building long term relationships. If you cannot do that, it does not matter how much technical information you know, they won’t trust you!”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Dale Longshaw – “Set your mind on one thing and put all your time, energy and focus into that, to become the best you can be at that one thing.”
If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Anthony Ashworth – “Neil Armstrong! Ever since my parents took me and my brother to Cape Canaveral as kids, I have been fascinated by Space and the Moon and would love to go one day if it ever becomes an option! To be able to stand on the surface of the Moon and see the Earth must be such a strange but incredible experience!”
What led you to this career?
Neil Carney – “As I have said, members of my Family have had long and successful careers in this industry. I initially had a career in education – so I suppose I was the ‘black sheep’ but re-trained to join the family tradition! There are many parallels between education and financial advice – people don’t know what they don’t know, and I think I can make a real difference in advising and informing people.”
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Jock Elliot – “Our job is incredibly technical and time pressured but also incredibly personal and rewarding. Having the opportunity to sit down, really get to know someone and their family, understand them and most importantly to genuinely be able to help gives me a real buzz and why I do what I do.”
What are today and tomorrows challenges?
Elisabeth Alexander – “I’d love to see a positive move forwards embracing the “new normal” we have ahead of us safely; retaining the newly learned “plus points” from working changes and family life and not taking anything for granted.”