Meet The Clarion Family

Meet Alistair Cartwright

What is your role at Clarion?

Associate Financial Planner (Paraplanner), working directly with a number of advisers.

There are a lot of different aspects to the role, but the main objective is to help our clients achieve their financial needs and goals.

How did you take your first steps in to financial planning?

I did a sports degree at university and after realising the prospects for an undergraduate were minimal at the time, I decided to find a job that gave me some experience.

I took a job working on reception and processing new business in an IFA company, and then moved to the mortgage department. From there, I worked my way up to paraplanning and completed my exams for Level 4.

After only a few months in the job, I realised that paraplanning was what I wanted to do.

What do you think Clarion offers its clients that makes us unique?

The needs and objectives of our clients are always at the forefront of everything we do.

That, coupled with the financial planning software and the course we take with our clients, is something that I believe is unique in the industry.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in your role?

I can think of two. Firstly, to not be afraid of making mistakes.

Another big lesson I’ve learnt in this role is the level of detail required to produce a true picture of our clients’ circumstances.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a footballer and play for my beloved Liverpool Football Club.

I also wanted to be a fighter pilot (that will always stay with me ….!)

Who has inspired you in your life and why?

My Dad. He ran me to football three times a week when I was younger, helped me with my studies and gave me important advice about working in the real world.

What keeps you awake at night?

I’m a natural worrier. Thinking about work and exams tends to keep me awake.

Describe your perfect weekend

Watching Liverpool become Premier League Champions (fingers crossed!). Or coming back to reality, a nice walk followed by a pub lunch and a beer.

Spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Winter. I love Christmas time and going for winter walks.