Q: What is your role at J Finance Ltd?

A: My role at J Finance is as the Protection Adviser.  I work directly with clients as well as closely with the rest of the team, to help ensure our clients are taken care of fully and ensure they can maintain their plans for their futures long term.  Every client is different, and it is so important to understand their individual needs, whether that be life cover, protecting their income or themselves and their children against the effects of illness.  I also look at protection for self-employed business owners.

Q: What do you like best about working with J Finance?

A: I love the way people interact here and the way they deal with their clients. It is just like a family (client included!). My teammates are all lovely people and very welcoming. It is a pleasure to come to work.

Q: What qualities make you best suited for your role?

A: Well I think my previous experiences within Nationwide are a great help as I understand the compliance side of the business very well. As I have CeMap and DipFA qualifications, which means I am qualified to advise our clients properly, but more than that, I am interested in each client I meet and want them to have the best experience with us.

I am very detail focussed which is always useful within this role. You have to be outgoing and versatile whenever you work in a team and in an ever-changing environment. I think that most people will agree that I am definitely that!

Q: Describe your typical day?

A: Each day is different, but emails are always hit first. I start at 12 midday, so by this time there are usually a few to go through. I will generally plan my day around client meetings which I much prefer to be in person or over Zoom!  I find that both myself and my clients enjoy that connection and I feel it is quite necessary when you are discussing your plans and hopes for the future. I spend a lot of time on the telephone finding out information from Protection providers to help me tailor make the plans needed to our clients specific needs and keeping up to date with a changing market.

Q: What makes you happy?

A: I love spending time with my wife and my daughter. My daughter no longer lives in Newbury and I don’t get to see her every day as I did when she was little, so I treasure the times we are all together, chatting, watching films, singing and playing guitar and having girlie time! I also love going to gigs and performing as I sing in a band with a great group of friends. I love baking and usually make too much whether that be homemade jam, flapjacks or viennese whirls (my personal favourite!) so end up giving loads away.

Q: What do you like to do at the weekend?

A: I love spending time with my family and friends. Saturdays are usually spent chilling out with my wife until the evening when we get ready for gigs, whether I am performing or watching. Sunday is best for cooking, sweet and savoury! Then go and meet friends in the evening for a catch up and a sing.

Q: Where was your last holiday?

A: My last holiday was New York. My wife and I went to New York and New Jersey staying with friends and taking in the sights. Our friends are an amazing extended family for us, so we love seeing them. I will never forget going to ground zero. Its the most emotional experience. It is such a beautiful place and as you remember everything that happened there and all the heartache and unnecessary loss, it really makes you think.

Q: What is the one thing in your life that you could not do without?

A: You can probably guess the one thing we cannot live without in my household is music! It has always been the same. I sing when I am cooking, cleaning, whenever! And our best plans usually involve music. We are hoping to plan a Nashville trip in the near future so watch this space!