A little bit about Scott

“In excess of a decade of experience in financial services, and prior education in numerous areas of business and management, I have been part of the Unividual team since 2013. As a Chartered Financial Planner, I have extensive experience in assisting clients across different areas of financial planning, with varying needs, objectives, backgrounds and views on how they see their financial futures. My approach is personal and guided by client requirements, while using my technical capabilities to ensure opportunities and efficiencies are not missed and wider implications are considered. This knowledge is built from extensive further education, from university through to specific financial services qualifications and accreditations obtained through the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).

“My style is to really listen. To understand and draw out what lifetime objectives my clients have and share my technical knowledge and experience to provide them with the advice they need to achieve their goals.”

“I wish I had met scott 30 years ago, I would have done things differently”

Here from Steve, who enjoyed a long career in Financial Services. He admits his arrogance led to him making mistakes when managing his own money. He has an interesting story to share around his views of financial advice.

“I was well aware of the potential value of professional advice. However, I always believed I could look after my financial needs myself. I have to admit with some arrogance I deliberately chose not to seek a financial adviser. This belief  ‘I can do this myself’ revealed itself to be unhelpful in my 60s and a somewhat costly mistake!

“I was introduced to Scott Gurd at Unividual through a good friend who clearly valued the advice and support he received. I remained hesitant about the value Scott could provide me for two reasons. Firstly I wondered whether my relatively modest financial investment and pension portfolio warranted Scott’s services and secondly would the time and cost needed to develop a relationship be worth it?”

“In the very first meeting with Scott, I instantly recognised the value of his current knowledge and specialist advice. I found myself recognising some historical decisions I had taken myself with regard to my pensions and savings were actually counter productive. Some less kind would say ‘stupid’. Scott’s style which was always encouraging and educational left me thinking ‘I wish I had known that years ago’ and more importantly ‘that action I took was not really sensible’ i.e. not in my best interests given what I now know.”

“I quickly made the decision to ask Scott to become our financial adviser. My wife joined me in all our subsequent meetings with Scott and I developed a strong sense of confidence that Scott and Unividual would be there to support my wife with our financial affairs should I no longer be around to do that myself.”

“Now in my early 70’s – I am much more aware of the opportunities and methods there are to structure your financial plans throughout your working life. I do wish I had met Scott some 30 years ago, although his age prevents that! I certainly would have done things differently however I am delighted that at least we have worked together for the last 3 to 4 years.”

“The financial performance of my pension is pleasing but this is secondary to the peace of mind this relationship brings. I now know that together I am now actively managing our financial affairs – considering options and making informed decisions. It is enjoyable having Scott as our Financial Adviser and I never expected to be admitting that!”