Q&A
Investing some time with James Appleby, managing director (wealth) at Tees Financial Ltd ONE-TO-ONE
clients and, more recently, managing the advice teams and the business. “I get a real sense of pride seeing the impact of giving good advice, knowing we’ve made a difference”
Not everyone may know that Tees offers financial as
well as legal advice. Would you say the two are closely aligned and, if so, in what ways? Absolutely – they’re more closely aligned than many people realise. Life’s major decisions, whether personal or business- related, often have both legal and financial dimensions. Whether it’s estate planning, business succession or divorce settlements, having both legal and independent financial expertise under one roof allows for a more joined-up, holistic approach.
to help them secure an interested buyer for the business. Thanks to our advice, they set up a Family Investment Company (FIC), and – combined with careful coordination of their pension income – we were able to create an income strategy that supported a full exit from the business. This case highlights the critical role of financial planning, not only in preparing for retirement but in unlocking opportunities that might otherwise be missed. Finally, if you could chat at the water cooler with any high-profile businessperson, who would it be? I would love to have a chat with Warren Buffett. His long- term, values-driven approach to investing is legendary, but what’s equally impressive is his clarity of thought and ability to communicate complex ideas in simple terms. I’d be fascinated to hear about his views on investment patience, decision-making and balancing risk with opportunity – lessons that are just as relevant in effective financial planning as in global investing. teeslaw.com/wealth-management PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE James Appleby explains the intersection of finance and law in life’s essential choices
What part of the role gives you the most satisfaction? Financial advice supports individuals, families and
businesses to achieve their goals and secure their futures through money management, retirement planning, sensible investment, protection and navigating complex financial decisions. I get a real sense of pride from seeing the long-term impact of giving good advice and knowing we’ve made a meaningful difference to our clients’ lives.
What does it take to be an effective wealth manager? From a practical perspective, it takes a blend of technical
knowledge, emotional intelligence and long-term thinking. You have to understand tax, markets and regulation. In reality, and most importantly, it’s about relationships and understanding people. Every client’s circumstances, aspirations, goals and values will be different.
Can you give an example of a business situation that
was saved or transformed by good financial advice?
How did you get into this area of expertise? It was a gradual evolution for me. My career started
Without going into specifics, we were approached by two
business owners who were seeking a review of their workplace pensions. What became clear through the course of the meeting was that they didn’t believe they could afford to retire any time soon. We were able to introduce them to a corporate finance specialist, who was able
in banking, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the client- centric, relationship-driven side of wealth management and financial advice. Over time, I built up the qualifications and experience to fully specialise, initially advising
28 | BUSINESS EDITION | ISSUE 2
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