Stuart Borthwick is a father of seven-year-old twins, a school governor and a volunteer at a cricket club. He and his wife, Leanne, are also the owners of Dartmoor Financial. He shares some of the details of his working life.
Monday
The school run starts the day, as it does most mornings and I always ensure that Mondays are office-based, with no client meetings, so I can focus on reactive work needing my attention. I would rather be out on the road, as I’ve built up a name for myself as the cycling adviser.
I manage all aspects of the client journey which means I work from the initial enquiry to completion, so there is plenty of admin to keep me busy. Today, I worked on two fact finds and two large applications, as well as assisting a client with some income protection. I try to keep work in the evening to a minimum, but tonight I completed a suitability letter and benefits checks.
Tuesday
From Tuesday to Friday, the first part of my morning is always client meetings from say 10am to 12pm. My first appointment this morning was with an existing client via Zoom. Since the pandemic, the increase in clients asking for Zoom meetings has increased. It creates a transparent meeting as I can share my screen and show them everything I am looking at, such as their case file and illustrations. Having the facility to record meetings is also a big plus for clients and their families.
I also offer to meet clients at their homes, but I give them a couple of options of how I travel. One of them is cycling, hence I seem to have built a reputation of being the cycling adviser! This is a win:win for both of us, as I enjoy the exercise, help the environment by not driving and my clients often enjoy a discount on my advice fee as it costs me less to visit them.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning came and went in a flurry of scheduled client calls, as well as multiple chase up calls to progress cases. I finally got some exercise today and went out to see a client by bike. It was about 11 miles there and back in the lovely Dartmoor sunshine (which is a rarity at this time of year!). The only downside is that I cannot wear a suit when cycling, but most clients prefer a more relaxed approach anyway and I never just turn up in full lycra! I like to think it might inspire my clients to take a few actions to reduce their own impact on the planet, in whatever way they can.
Thursday
Thursday is all about client calls and virtual meetings in the morning, followed by a focus on outbound marketing for Dartmoor Financial. I am passionate about spreading the positive message of later life lending. I like to think outside the box, so we will be distributing branded beer mats to local pubs and social clubs which highlight how the industry and plans available have evolved over the years since they began. I also took a new enquiry which originated from one of my branded magnets on another client’s fridge! I had a governors’ meeting this evening at my children’s school. It’s such a privilege to be able to help and get involved, knowing it helps not only my own children but also all the children of the community. Perhaps one day they’ll remember us when they grow up and we’ll help them get their first mortgage too!
Friday
The perfect end to a very full week. I am always happy to meet up with my account managers and colleagues. However, there are no pastries, coffee or treats (not anymore!). It’s a bike ride, dog walk, run or tennis – in fact, any form of activity to get us out in the fresh air and moving! Today I met Nicola Palmer, my account manager from Canada Life, for a bike ride meeting! From 11:30 until 13:30 and fourteen miles later, we covered all the new cases likely to be heading her way over the next week or two. It was a great way to finish the week and as we all know all too well nowadays… health is wealth!
Dartmoor Financial LLP is an appointed representative of HL Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Dartmoor Financial LLP is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number OC396191. The registered office address is 4 Oak Road, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 9EZ. The information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
