What inspired you to work in the world of Investment Management?  I first did some work experience in the city back in 2007, with an Investment Manager. I subsequently did more work experience and internships in both Investment Management and Asset Management, during my university holidays. Upon graduating I decided on a career in Investment Management because I enjoyed the relationship dynamic with private clients through the one degree of separation from the person/ family/ trust that you are working on behalf of.

What is it that gets you out of bed in the morning? On a weekday I enjoy how varied work can be day-to-day, all private clients are certainly unique in their own way. This is of course due to a number of factors, but certainly not limited to their age, stage of life and knowledge. Our advice and approach for each client are therefore so different. Even with the same client advice is constantly evolving to meet their needs in both the present and future. There is rarely a dull moment and it certainly keeps you on your toes.  

What was your favourite holiday? Anything active. A walking holiday (ideally with a fishing rod), to a new place, tends to be the constant though!

What is the most common question you get asked?  Is this a good time to invest new cash? Education is key here, as those that stick to their strategy reap the dividends (no pun intended). As the old adage goes, ‘time in the market beats timing the market.’ At Church House, we believe in active management, selecting well-run, great quality companies, with strong management and ESG principles at a fair price. We are benchmark, geography and sector agnostic, meaning we believe eventually the fundamentals of the companies we buy matter more than the market timing over the long-term.

What is your favourite source of entertainment? I am a very keen (+ competitive) rackets player, whether that be Tennis or Squash. Always up for a game before/ after work.

What qualities do you think make a good adviser? Taking a genuine interest in people’s lives and taking the time to build a trusting relationship. By better understanding clients, how they tick and what their objectives are long-term, you are better placed to put the right plan in place at the outset and adapt over time. Fundamentally your clients have got to like you though, in order for the above to fall into place!

What is the most important piece of advice you can give to those contemplating investing?  It is important to distinguish between a good company and a good investment. What price are you willing to pay in order to participate?

Who is your hero and why? I am a sports enthusiast, so as we roll from one Olympic year into another, I would say Olympians at the pinnacle of what they do are certainly heroes of mine.

If you were a car what would you be?  I am certainly no petrol head, however, if I had to pick I would happily be my Kia Ceed Hatchback. More often than not it exceeds the advertised mile per gallon and is reliable so far!

Finally, what do you think sets Church House apart from the competition?  Church House continues to have a very client-centric feel about it. That might sound odd, but by being a boutique we know our core business well and stick to delivering on our clients’ needs without distractions.