TALKING FINANCES - Key Persons
It's all about the language for Carole. A chance swerve in her twenties from a literature-based degree in French and German to a career in the City fostered a deep frustration with investment jargon and the finance industry's apparent male bias. After a clean break to bring up two daughters and a dog she now aims to make the concepts of investing more accessible and - in particular - to get more women thinking about how they provide for their futures. She is also taking a growing interest in sustainable investing where the use of everyday language is just as important as it is for those getting to grips with the basics. Words matter!
Job Titles:
- Chartered Financial Adviser
- Chartered Financial Adviser, Founder
As founder of Talking Finances, Chris knows the value of team work - not just within the business but also with like-minded professionals in the local area. Constantly striving for the sort of service that he would be happy to receive himself, he supports and encourages the team to grow in their roles so that, together, they can extend the reach of financial advice.
When he is not playing golf, he spends many hours - and some pounds - on books to improve his understanding of people's behaviours around money in a bid to further help his clients manage theirs. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurance and with nearly two decades in financial planning he is no stranger to study - something he is hoping to instil in his boys as they approach their teenage years.
Gary loves a spreadsheet. He has an admirable passion for using technology to maintain a fair and equal standard for everyone - a passion forged during his former career as IT Manager for a building society. The bedrock of the administration team, Gary shows a commitment to the technical side of financial planning that is second only to his commitment to his family. In fact, most weekends he takes to the road to support his daughters in their quest to fill the family home with dancing trophies. And - if he gets the chance - he will squeeze in a few rounds of golf for himself!
Qualifications
Diploma in Financial Planning (DipPFS)
Paula will turn her hand to anything. This places her ideally where she has been from the outset - as Talking Finances' all-round organiser. But it's not all schedule sorting and data inputting - at least twice a year she puts her love of good food and wine to use to arrange team social events, which tend to be memorable occasions! Not a fan of overblown industry-speak, Paula balances the technical nature of financial services with the company of animals and is a qualified small animal hydro-therapist and kennel hand. It's a wonder her partner ever gets a look in!
Ray has worked in financial services as both man and boy. His years of experience have taught him that ‘telling it like it is' is the best way to give sound and steady advice in an industry that has seen many changes. Sociable and easy to talk to, Ray enjoys being part of the Talking Finances team where knowledge and learning are freely shared. And, as a family man with three children, he knows the value of investing in the community, which is why he devotes much of his spare time to serving his local parish council in the village of Ickleford, near Hitchin.
Qualifications
Diploma in Financial Planning (DipPFS)
Job Titles:
- Office & Client Relationship Manager
Sue is the very definition of a ‘people person'. Easy to talk to, she is ideally placed to liaise with existing and new clients on all matters of their financial planning administration. And sometimes, clients will just phone her for a chat! Before joining Talking Finances in 2017, Sue worked in education where her natural instincts for team work and treating everyone equally were brought to the fore. When she is not keeping Talking Finances' clients happy, Sue is most likely enjoying time spent with family or with her nose in a good historical novel.