Since leaving college in 1987 I joined Legal and General for a career in financial services. There I spent 4 years learning about all aspects of the industry including mortgages, life cover, pensions, investments and trust planning.

In 1991 an opportunity arose for me to set up Ottaways Financial Advisers, where I chose to start down the route of self-employment. This permitted me much more client contact than I had previously, which enabled me to work with clients more closely over a long-term basis.

The industry as well as clients’ needs have transformed over the years, which combined with many changes to legislation meaning greater complexity within the financial service sector. Over the past 15 years I found myself moving into a more specialised role of advising clients on their pensions and investments. Mortgages have similarly become complicated and this part of the business has been ably overseen by Mark since 2000.

I enjoy working with my core base of clients who I support and review on a regular basis as well as meeting new clients to provide advise on their pension and investment planning, with a focus on taxation benefits and risk.