Professionally
Before 2009, I was advising my clients on which wines they should have in their collection.
Since qualifying as a financial adviser back then, the assets I recommend might be different, but the approach is not: Look at the client’s needs first and the recommendation last.
I have brought my experience from helping clients in Switzerland and the Middle East to provide a client-focused approach to investment advice for expats here in the EU.
Personally
Of course, as my background would suggest, I love good wines and food and I enjoy sports from football and cricket to skiing and shooting, but my biggest passion would have to be cars. I’m a huge fan of Formula 1 – for the machines and the racing, I don’t follow a particular team – and I love driving, whether on the road or the track.
I speak French fluently and my Dutch is passable, but not great. I’m sure my young son will be forcing me to learn more!
Oh yes, I also dabble in stand-up comedy, but don’t come to see that, I’m terrible.
Likes
- Cars and driving
- Sports
- Live comedy or music
- Running round the house with the toddler
- Enjoying a meal or a drink with friends
- Learning new things from people who love what they do
Dislikes
- Avocado
- Being late or delayed for anything
- Not being able to find things in the house
- Losing at sports
- When David finds that I’ve made a spelling mistake
Spotlight questions
Perfect weekend:
Monza, Monaco, Silverstone? As long as the GP is in town, count me in!
Favourite holiday destination:
The Alps – snow, cheese, wine and skis.
Favourite song to play in the car:
The Cave by Mumford and Sons, Chop Suey by System of a Down, anything by Counting Crows or a bit of Vivaldi… It really depends on the road and the car.
If I could be any fictional character, I would be:
Dipsy from the Teletubbies
If I could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, I would win a medal in:
Making lasagne
When the dessert menu arrives, I’m looking for:
Crème brulée and a nice Sauternes
The three qualities that draw me to new people are:
Openness, humour and a willingness to promote conversation
My pet peeve is:
Finding the toilet roll the wrong way around on the holder
The best gift I’ve ever received is:
My son – I know it sounds corny, but he arrived the night of my birthday so it counts
The three people at my dream dinner party would be:
Marco Pierre White, Jancis Robinson and James Hunt
The three small things that make my day better are:
Google Home, morning coffee, when my parents send me a terrible joke they just heard
