Growing up I was part of a very loving family, but we didn’t have much money. We lived in a small terraced house which thinking back, really wasn’t big enough! My parents worked hard to make sure we had the things that we needed, but they weren’t necessarily able to plan so much for the future. There were times when my dad was worried about a customer paying him and this meant that we had even less money. This made me feel vulnerable and anxious.

I was academically bright and the first person in my family to pass the 11+. From an early age I knew that I wanted to work hard and make the most of the opportunities that came my way. I was surrounded by friends who went abroad on holiday and had cars funded by their parents when they passed their driving tests. This just wasn’t an option for me and I often felt left behind and that I was missing out.

Even then I felt that education would give me a gateway to a new, more financially secure world. I worked hard, as I wanted to make sure that I could have a better life with more choices and without worrying about money. I was the first person in my family to go to university and this led to new opportunities, including the chance to study overseas. My horizons were widening.

At this stage, I didn’t dream of becoming a financial adviser. However, when I was introduced to the world of financial planning, I realised that I was good at it and it would enable me to work in an area I enjoyed, whilst helping other people to create financial security for themselves and their loved ones.

What I realise today is that over the last 20+ years I have built strong and lasting client relationships, where I have had a positive impact on other people’s finances and therefore their lives.

I enjoy inspiring others to use their resources to achieve their goals. I’m passionate about helping people become financially secure by planning for their future and living happy and fulfilled lives. That is why I do what I do.