About us...
JOHN C. WALDIE Bsc (Hons) DipPFS - Managing Director
Engineering Career
John graduated from Manchester University in 1985 with a First Class Honours Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He spent 10 years at Rolls-Royce PLC as a Turbine Technologist involved in the aerodynamic and cooling design of military aircraft turbine blades such as those found in the Typhoon and Harrier.
In the last two years at Rolls-Royce, John was involved in a
re-engineering task force aimed at improving the efficiency and success of Rolls-Royce's aircraft design process. This "clean sheet of paper approach" helped John and his family decide that a life in Cornwall was desirable and this prompted the move to financial services in 1995.
Financial Services Career
John was employed as a financial adviser with London Life, Friends Provident, Equitable Life, before becoming an independent financial adviser in 2001 with a firm in Cornwall, before founding Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management.
John has obtained four qualifications at Advanced Planning Level, obtaining the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate. One of these papers included the Pensions examination allowing John to advise on Company Pension scheme transfers.
John also passed the advanced examination of Investment Portfolio Management and this is essentially John's specialist role, although the full range of advice is given to clients with relevant needs.
Approach To Advice
John's strategic planning experience in the latter days at Rolls-Royce remains highly influential to his thought process.
It is important to determine the key issues which are of importance to each client both now, in the immediate future and also in later life when retirement and succession planning can be of influence.
Each new client is unique and a 'blank canvas' and as such John has no pre-conceptions or favoured solutions. His over-whelming aim is to ensure total impartiality and that every available product or solution is considered and available at all times.
As far as investments are concerned, in a rapidly changing investment world, John finds it essential to 'think outside of the box' when it comes to asset allocation. He does not believe in merely sticking to industry recognised benchmarks over a period of time, but will try to identify how firstly, clients' wealth can be protected from losses as far possible; but at the same time also identify when specific assets look good value and recommend tactical switches whenever possible.
RONNIE WILLIAMS BA (Hons) CeMAP - Research and Support Assistant
At present Ronnie's role is in technical support to the Managing Director, John Waldie. This principally involves fund and product research as well as the operation of the Penberth Service regular fund switching facility. Ronnie is working towards being a fully qualified adviser in the next 2 years.
Ronnie was born and educated in Helston, before moving to Exeter in 2000. Ronnie graduated from the University of Exeter in 2003 with a BA Honours Degree in Economics and Geography. On graduation, Ronnie returned to Cornwall and has spent 8 years in the financial services industry, working with GE Money. Here he gained his CeMAP qualifications and worked most recently as a Certified Mortgage Adviser.
Ronnie joined AFWM Ltd in August 2011 as a research and administration assistant. He is working towards his Financial Adviser qualifications and will continue to study for his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
When not in the office Ronnie is a keen sportsman, he is a
qualified cricket coach and can be found, on a Saturday, playing for his local team.
CHRISTINE BOLITHO - Executive Administrator
Christine is currently the principal for administrative issues. After successfully completing the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry Secretarial Intensive Course at Cornwall College, Christine was employed by the then Helston based Chartered Architects, Roger Schofield + Associates. Five years later Christine was approached by John Crowther + Associates, again Chartered Architects, of Truro where she continued her Architectural Administration for a further eight years as Personal Assistant to the 3 Partners.
After a 12 month family break Christine resumed her career in Penzance and has for the past 17 years been employed in Financial Administration covering both the Mortgage and Investment fields, which gave her the essential background prior to joining AFWM Ltd in February 2011.
ALISON CURTIS - Senior Administrator
Alison is responsible for our commission reconciliation and carries out administration duties also. Following her school education, Alison joined NatWest Bank in Camborne and was employed by them for 22 years during which she also worked in the Personal Banking Team in Truro, this included a 4 year break to raise her family.
Alison has several computer/secretarial qualifications and on joining an Independent Financial Advisers firm as a Personal Assistant in Truro in 2000 also gained the Financial Planning Certificate.
Alison was promoted to Commission and Accounts Manager which she enjoyed for a further seven years before bringing her knowledge and expertise to AFWM Ltd in October 2011.
