What is your special interest or particular field of expertise in the financial services sector right now?
Administration: my professional background encapsulates sales, marketing and secretarial – in administration I can utilise my entire skillset.
What is the most important aspect of your work, in relation to clients, or the part of your day-to-day role which gives you the most satisfaction?
Dealing with clients, helping them to submit investment applications, withdraw income payments or change personal details etc. The clients appreciate my help with all aspects of the paperwork involved, as the technical jargon and amount of documentation needed can sometimes feel overwhelming for the layman.
What’s special/unique/most interesting about the region you work in?
The weather and surrounding countryside! The Costa del Sol is so diverse with its beaches, mountains, white-washed pueblos, lakes and wildlife; every day is special on the Costa.
Right now, what is your one piece of invaluable information for expats or anyone seeking retirement planning and wealth management advice?
Ensure that the company is fully regulated and licensed, with fully qualified advisers who keep themselves up to date with the ever-changing market and laws. Do your research first before you approach any company for advice. Sorry, that´s two!
Blacktower already has a long and successful history in the sector, how will you and your colleagues continue to offer value to clients in the next 20 years and beyond?
By monitoring the markets and keeping on top of the frequent changes within the sector. On-going training and information are key.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I was Ladies Surrey Pool Champion in the late 90s!
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.
Finally, some good news for British expats in France who are clients of expat financial services providers; the French government has said that it will look to make its expat tax regime Europe’s most favourable – a move that is clearly designed to take advantage of uncertainty in London created by Britain’s decision to exit the EU.
Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy on 15 September 2008. With $639 billion in assets and $619 billion in debt. Their bankruptcy filing was the largest in history and prompted an immediate fall in the FTSE 100 of 4%. It was the beginning of a slump that by Christmas of 2008 had resulted in 23% being wiped off the value of Britain’s top 100 companies. As a stock market crash, it ranks alongside the dotcom bubble and the shock of 1987. However, while living standards have flat-lined since that date, the stock market revival has been spectacular. Many investors were, however, spooked by the financial crisis of 2008 and liquidated their investment portfolios. Unfortunately as shown below – they lost out on the bull run of the next 10 years.