Lowes Magazine Issue 119

LOWES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

unprecedented and people just didn’t know what to expect. At times we’ve been less Consultants and more Counsellors, but that’s what Lowes is about, going the extra mile.” Having long-term relationships with clients has also helped, Rob says. “As we couldn’t see clients face- to-face, it did make it more difficult for some clients. Fortunately, I have dealt with a lot of my clients for many years, and they know me well enough for me to advise them over the telephone. It really was a case of finding the best way to be a source of help to them.

He has now been a financial adviser for some 30 years, during which time he has seen a considerable amount of change in the profession. “Perhaps the biggest has been in terms of regulation,” he says. “The changes in compliance and the time it takes to do a case and the amount of content that goes into it is tenfold what it was, in order to meet all the rules and regulations. There is certainly a lot more paperwork involved. “Lowes itself has changed too. There are now many more people here than when I first joined and our move from Holmwood House to Fernwood House in 2016, has given us a lot more space and nicer rooms in which Consultants can meet with clients. And, of course, there are a lot more grey hairs around the corridors!” But what hasn’t changed over the years, he says, is the Lowes ethos. It’s about doing the best for each client, because every client is different. The way I approach it is to try to give advice based on what I would do myself. It’s advice given on a very personal basis.” Gershom joined Lowes in November 2018, becoming the Consultant for a proportion of Rod Molyneux’s clients when Rod retired and taking on other Lowes clients since then. He had 10 years’ experience prior to joining the firm, gained in banking, primarily in investment analysis and then as an adviser. It is the client contact and being able to help people get what they want out of life that attracted him to the role of Consultant, he says. “We’re highly qualified and we have the knowledge and the expertise as professionals to help people while also getting to talk to them as individuals as well. I find that very rewarding.” Both Rob and Gershom work alongside their wives as a team. “I see us as families working for other families,” Gershom says. “We’re dealing with real life issues. We’re talking to people about what they want, where they want to get to and how their finances can help them get there. But just as families have issues other than finances, so do our clients. “I’d like to think our clients see us as more than just a financial adviser; it’s a privilege to be in this role.”

I would say that at Lowes we are the best at what we do. Gershom Chan

“But what I will say about the pandemic is that working from home was a disaster as I like to separate work/ home life. The kids were draining all the Wi-Fi when being homeschooled, so I was glad when things went back to being a little more like normal.” Given the pandemic is not over by any stretch of the imagination, what advice would Rob and Gershom give to clients at this point in time. Rob says: “In uncertain times, I’d say review your investments/plans regularly to make sure they are still on track. We’re here to help you with that. And make use of new investment opportunities, particularly those with defensive features and/or market protection.” Gershom adds: “We’re here to make sure people are okay for the long term. I’d say, with a clear plan and a good Independent Financial Adviser behind you, you can make your way through any crisis.” How Rob and Gershom joined Lowes Rob was one of the first Consultants employed by Ian Lowes after he became Managing Director, joining the company in 2003. He had started working in financial services at age 17 and had worked for just two other financial services companies before joining Lowes.

Tell a friend

Do you know someone who would benefit from our investment management or other financial planning services? We would of course welcome any such referrals and to mark our 50 years in business, we have pledged to donate up to £50,000 to charity. Therefore, if your referral becomes a client of Lowes we will donate £50 to a chosen charity on their behalf, £50 on your behalf and a further £50 donation on behalf of Lowes – a total of £150 per referral! Please feel free to contact us on Contact@Lowes.co.uk, or reach out to our marketing team on 0191 281 8811 and advise them of any new client referrals.

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