Meet the Team | David

Great advice starts with great people, and we are delighted to welcome David to the team.

Determined, passionate, and committed to helping clients achieve their goals and navigate important financial decisions with confidence, David is an experienced mortgage broker, here to make a positive change in people's lives.

We sat down with David to learn more about his background, what attracted him to the profession, his interests outside of work, and what he is most looking forward to as he begins his journey with us.

So, let's get to know David a little better...

Interview with David - Welcome to Team Penn

Q: What is your role at Penn Financial?

A: Mortgages & Protections Advisor

Q: What do you enjoy most about helping clients?

A: Understanding clients' goals and motivations and then working out and helping them achieve these. Each client has their unique set of circumstances and challenges; finding the best products and options to fit their needs and achieving outcomes - I enjoy the whole process.

Q: What skills or experience do you bring to the team?

A: With over 14 years' experience in financial services, in a supportive role as a paraplanner, advising clients on their mortgages and insurances, and more recently training new advisors, I have benefited from a wealth of knowledge from differing perspectives. Each role has helped me develop an appreciation of everybody's importance in a team, not just those in the spotlight - the support and success of each individual contributes to the success of the group as a whole. 

Q: What does great client service mean to you?

An understanding and empathetic approach, reassuring clients when necessary that I am able to help them.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself outside of work. What are your hobbies or interests?

A: Team sports, cycling, food and drink, binge-watching TV series.

Q: What is something people are often surprised to learn about you?

A: My special ability is that I am a super smeller - that is not what you think it is!

Q: Who has had the biggest influence on your career?

A: My previous boss, who taught me how important it is to try and build a connection with your clients; being curious and asking the right questions allows me to really understand their goals and motivations. Clients need to feel they have been understood and have an advisor who is on their side, that they can trust, and will always do things in their best interests.

Q: Tea or coffee?

A: Both

Q: Early bird or night owl?

A: Both. School nights - early bird. Weekends - night owl.

Q: Beach holiday or city break?

City break

Q: One item you couldn't live without?

A toothbrush 

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what is the first thing you would do?

A: 10% for some frivolous spending in the first year, 20% towards a deposit on a house, 70% in investments that will hopefully grow until retirement and, until then, provide a decent annual income to live off and be able to travel more. 

Q: In three words, describe your approach to clients.

A: Friendly, respectful, honest.

Q: Why should clients feel confident working with you?

A: I always do my best to help our clients understand their options in an open and honest manner, using as little jargon as possible. I prefer clients to fully understand the hard truths, even if that means delaying the process. Sometimes, it is worth putting in the work on short- and longer-term fixes that will help them get into a better position, increasing their chances and options for eventually getting approval and achieving their goals.

Q: Finish this sentence: "At Penn Financial, I want to be known for..."

A: ....being a team player and having my success benefit everyone.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

A: Today, not tomorrow 

Q: Your Favourite quote?

A: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We are delighted to have David as part of the Penn Financial family and look forward to seeing him take Penn Financial forward, grow his team, and help people secure a mortgage, get onto the property ladder, and achieve their financial goals.

Please join us in giving David a warm welcome, and we wish him every success in his new role.