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What is your name?
Sam Sloma
What is your occupation?
I run Engage Financial Services
Where do you live?
North London
When did you start your career in finance? How did you get into it?
I started in August 2010, so I’ve just celebrated (or commiserated) my 10 year anniversary. I got a job at a boutique discretionary fund manager where I was doing business development for a sports division, as well as learning the basics of investing and financial management.
If you could start your business again, what would you do differently?
We’re only 3 years old so the only things I would do differently are that I’d start leaner with less costs, i’d not take an office immediately and I would make sure I had enough money away personally to cover 6-12 months.
What would be your biggest piece of advice to someone coming into the financial planning profession?
This is dependent on what area they want to go into. I’d say find someone you really like/respect and find what problems you can solve for that person. Also finding a firm that fits with your morals and values is really important as work takes up a lot of your time and having people inspire or drive you really helps.
How would you define your personal mission?
To fulfil whatever potential I have whilst keeping what is most important to me at the forefront of my life.
How would you define your personal vision?
Life is for living.
How would you define your personal values?
I don’t spend too much time thinking about my personal values. I think you are what you repeatedly do and I believe in looking at myself first. I think about what is going to be important to me when I look back on my life and focus on making sure those things are in place.
What is your greatest achievement outside of work?
Playing League Two football, getting married and having 3 daughters – not in that order.
What is the greatest book you have ever read that helped you in your career?
What is your most valuable asset of being a NextGen Planners member?
Being part of a community that strives to lift each other up and where everyone feels comfortable.
(Only answer this one if you truly want to…) Who is your favourite NextGen Planners member?
Adam Carolan and Rich Ellis are my boys from day 1!