Want to know what makes the AFWM Ltd team tick? Find out more about our St Agnes based Independent Financial Adviser Arran Gill
What did you do before you joined AFWM?
From 18 to 26 I was, for the most part, at the University of Southampton, where I obtained a first-class Master’s degree and PhD in Chemistry. Following my time in academia, I spent five years working for my family’s wood floor renovation business in West Yorkshire.
Why did you decide to move into finance?
In 2022, my wife Sam and I were in the process of buying a house in Yorkshire, but it fell through. It was one of those moments when you start questioning things. Sam is Cornish and always liked the idea of moving back one day. Ultimately, the failed house purchase served as a catalyst for a number of changes, including moving closer to her family and a change in career for me.
Sam is a chartered financial planner, and was my inspiration for making the career change. I wanted a career that gave me purpose – a sense that I was making a difference – and I knew largely what was in store, having seen her achieve success in the industry.
What does an average working day look like now?
I achieved my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in November 2023. Now, a lot of my time is spent attending charity events, establishing connections, and putting myself out there to meet people who I could potentially help. I also continue to support Ronnie Williams (AFWM’s Quality Assurance Director & Financial Adviser).
Are there any particular types of clients that you’re keen to work with?
Anyone that could benefit from advice, but particularly family businesses. I grew up surrounded by my family’s business which, through the hard work of my parents, provided us with everything we had. I know first hand how valuable these businesses are to the people they provide for, but also how challenging it can be to access truly impartial and independent financial advice. I really do feel that there’s huge value to be added in these situations. There’s a quote in Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money that really resonates with me: “Two topics impact everyone whether you are interested in them or not: health and money.” In my view, money is a tool that allows you to do the things you want to do with your time and ‘enough money’ means different things to different people. Given its significance, I don’t think it’s taught enough and there’s a stigma around talking about it. These are barriers I’d like to lift, and I want to help people make informed financial choices, so they have the means to do more of what they want with their time.
Are there any achievements that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m proud of my academic achievements, particularly my PhD. I chose to study Chemistry at university because I enjoyed the practical element, and I was fortunate enough to get accepted onto a Master’s programme that allowed me to study in Singapore for six months. When I returned, Dr Raja offered me the opportunity to study for a PhD where I would spend two years in Southampton and two years in Singapore; I wasn’t about to say no to an opportunity like that! As it happened, my second spell in Singapore ended up being one of the most difficult periods of my life for a variety of reasons.
Despite this, I have five peer-reviewed publications to my name – two from my undergraduate degree and three from my PhD – and I’m also listed on a US patent. All of this, I am really proud of.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy golf, badminton and hill walking, and since we’ve moved to Cornwall Sam has been getting me in the water more. However, a lot of our spare time has been spent doing up our house. There’s still plenty left to do, so between that, the exams, and getting dragged to the beach, I imagine I’ll be kept pretty busy for now!
Where’s your favourite place to visit in the South West?
Sam grew up holidaying on St Martin’s on the Isles of Scilly. A few years after we started seeing each other, the two of us went there on holiday. I didn’t know anything about the islands before then, but I was blown away.
We got engaged on Great Bay on St. Martin’s, and had our wedding at Karma, St Martin’s, in 2021. It’s a really special place for us. Our wedding was wrapped up into a big family holiday as we’d dragged 10 people from Yorkshire to this remote island off the coast of Cornwall! I remember my uncle taking some convincing that he wouldn’t be able to get his car on the ferry…
Any other particularly memorable holidays?
Many but, excluding the wedding, my favourite was Sam’s visit to Singapore. I got to show her some of the more niche highlights of Singapore, such as cat cafés, and we also went to Phuket and Phi Phi in the South of Thailand. We also go skiing in Austria every February and stay in the same hotel in Fuschl am See, another very meaningful place for the pair of us. I’ve travelled a lot around Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, parts of North Africa and mainland Europe. I also volunteered in an orphanage in Botswana when I was 18. I feel fortunate to have seen a fair bit of the world, but I’d still like to visit Norway, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, specifically Hobbiton/The Shire; I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan!
What else is on your bucket list?
I’ve climbed Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), so I’d like to climb Ben Nevis, the other mountain of the ‘Three Peaks’, as I’d like the set. I enjoy hill walking, and as we have friends and family across the country now, it’s a good excuse to get together.
We did the Yorkshire Dales Mighty Hike a few years ago to raise money for Macmillan, so I’d like to do the Cornwall equivalent soon. Macmillan provided invaluable support to our family at a really difficult time, so it was great to be able to give something back.
If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you’d save?
I don’t think anything would force me back into a burning building provided everyone was safe and outside. If my friends and family are alive and healthy despite my house burning down, I would consider that a win.
Arran Gill – Independent Financial Adviser
