Home: Shropshire, England. Age: Closer to 50 than 40 now. Profession: Pension tax specialist. Languages spoken: English and functional German.
Current project: Pension-led funding for businesses. Latest accomplishment: Finished writing my second book. Latest contribution to others: Involvement in four fundraisers for the church. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? The biggest leap in the last year has been in my golf game. Hobbies: I am a passionate rugby fan and attend as many games as possible. Last book read: The Secret Barrister. Recently viewed and recommended: Dark Winds.
Personality profile: Relentless, sharp, energetic, restless, loyal, intense, caring. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Tough. Moral compass: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. How do you define a perfect friendship? Fun and frolics within the confines of loyalty, understanding and forbearance. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust-based, loyal, understanding, grounded in mutual respect. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Barristers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel. What is your go-to workout? Rucking with a heavy backpack and my dog (weather permitting - I don’t like rain!).
What was your first paying job? Washing pots in a pub kitchen. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? I lived on my mountain bike, exploring the countryside. What book have you repeatedly read? 10x Is Easier Than 2x, by Dan Sullivan. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Shawshank Redemption. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Never drink anything you can set fire to. What’s the best advice you received in your career? It always pays to be positively cynical. What is your favorite app? LinkedIn.
What is your big idea?
Pension funds are not merely a pot of gold at the end a rainbow (retirement) but are valuable funds to fuel business growth.
What change would you like to see in the world? Children move back to having a play-based childhood rather than a screen-based one. What message do you want to send out into the world? The only thing that holds us back is our limiting beliefs and our unwillingness to actually think properly. What widely held belief do you reject? That pensions can’t invest in residential property. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI. It is changing the world and needs to be safeguarded.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Forged in Fire. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Sir Ben Kingsley. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An army officer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My MacBook. What advice would you give your younger self? Look after yourself. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My thirties.
Personal mission: Helping business owners achieve financial freedom by harnessing the power of pensions. Personal motto: Make it happen. Favorite quote: “Discovery is seeing what everybody else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought” (Albert Szent-Gyrögyi).
