I have been in financial services since leaving school, starting my career in the Clydesdale Bank in Macduff. After 10 years in banking in various branches, I joined General Accident in 1995 as a Trainee Financial Adviser to progress my career. After 5 years working as a restricted adviser, I went on to work as an Independent Financial Adviser locally for another firm. In 2004 I was approached by an ex-banking colleague who worked for Acumen Financial Planning at that time, offering me the opportunity to work for AFP in Aberdeen and to cover the Peterhead office. The opportunity at Acumen and the obvious culture within the business made my choice very easy. I have never looked back.

What do you like most about working at Acumen Financial Planning?

I enjoy many aspects of my job but as my role is so varied it is hard to pinpoint one particular area. Working with my clients is extremely important and rewarding to me and interacting with my clients makes my job a great job! For all our planners, no client situation or objectives are the same therefore it is great to be able to help clients on their financial planning journey to achieve everything they want to and live their best lives.

What has been your proudest career achievement to date?

Achieving my Certified Financial Planner qualification in 2007 and AFP being awarded the CISI Accredited Firm of the year for a 3^rd time in 2024, are my top 2.

Being the Managing Director of an award-winning financial planning firm brings a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. The pride stems not only from leading a successful and recognised company but also from the impact that the firm and my colleagues have had on the lives of our clients, helping them secure their financial futures and achieve their goals. I am proud to lead the firm building a culture of excellence, leading a team of very well qualified professionals, and making strategic decisions that shape the firm’s future.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am involved with a local charity in my home town of Turriff; Friends of Turriff Community Hospital. The charity raises funds for the hospital to benefit the patients and staff. I really like giving something back to the local community and the hospital plays a vital role in the town and surrounding area.

I took up running in 2022 and now run 5k – 15k weekly. I surprised myself by completing a half marathon. For someone who couldn’t even run at school this was a massive personal achievement for me and as I enjoy the outdoors (being from a farming background) it is nice to combine sport with the love of the outdoors and the countryside. I also like to be in my garden as well as enjoying long walks with my wife Amanda and family.

Tell us one thing that people would be surprised to find out about you.

Nothing too exciting really!

I do enjoy gardening and in the summer time, I love to be outside pottering about. In the past I did win prizes for our garden in the local best kept garden competition.

I also have a passion for cars and had a lot of cars over the years. I would say that I have had well over 30 cars in my lifetime. I dare to count how many!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Just to always be yourself and don’t try to be someone you are not. Treat others as you want to be treated yourself. My wife and I have brought up our two daughters to be kind, caring, considerate and greet people with a smile. I am a strong believer that its hard for someone not to smile back if you smile first!