John
Dubbed by friends and colleagues “The Pensions Professor”, John Reynolds is widely acknowledged as one of the country’s leading experts in the financial services education sector. He has spent 20 years teaching, consulting, mentoring and writing on the subjects of pensions and investments.
John’s unique ability to take his years of experience and technical knowledge and present it in an easy to understand format, has resulted in his talents being very much in demand. He has an extensive portfolio of corporate clients, as well as numerous IFA clients whom he provides technical consultancy, mentoring and training on client case studies and staff training.
In what place are you happiest?
Difficult question, I love my life, I love what I do, but most of all I’m in love with Linda and us being together in St Andrews at the Hotel du Vin, or in Lanzarote or the Grill Bar in Menorca.
I have a secret ambition to sail the southern Oceans in the round-the- world yacht race. I can dream a dream of sailing the oceans. But, my greatest achievement is right here, right now. And still is…
What drives you?
Love. Compassion. Fairness. Sharing. A thirst for Knowledge.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
I couldn’t do anything else. I’d be helping somebody somewhere to get on and move up – which is what we are continuing to do with our new sister site Expert Pensions Consulting.
What do you do in your free time?
Love to read the FT Weekender, drink a Starbucks and go for a walk in the local countryside – preferably on a dry, cold autumnal morning. Beautiful. Then back to make tea and a G&T with Mrs Reynolds. That’s me in heaven.
What is something no one knows about you?
I’m allergic to oranges. So, please – no oranges in the office! It’s the same with Walkers Salt&Vinegar – they bring me out in a terrible standing sweat. I end up looking like I’ve just been for a swim!
Linda
Linda manages the office and all things Accounts at EPL – any questions about those invoices just give her a bell. Having worked in finance for over 30 years she always has time for a chat. After leaving financial services sector for family reasons she began working in the voluntary sector – in particular with Bield Housing and Alzheimer Scotland – eventually running local Alzheimer Scotland Day Club before EP commitments took over. However, she continues to support the Day Club as much as possible and much of our fund raising is focused on helping them.
In what place are you happiest?
In my garden on a nice sunny day with four-legged helpers and a trowel…What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?I’ve an ambition to lose a few pounds and do the great Scottish open water swim in summer 2017. Wish me luck.
Fairness. Friends. Family. Security. Sharing. Honesty. Integrity.
Was always torn between a Nurse or a Vet.Although, if it had been a Vet, I would have needed a large house for all my new friends I would have brought home….
I’m making a long list of things for John and myself in 2017…once I get a hold of his diary!
That’s a secret!
Gayle
Gayle is our Operations Manager and is here to ensure your experience of Expert Pensions is a professional, productive and enjoyable one. Gayle has over 15 years working within financial services. She is passionate about learning and gained her CITP accreditation in her role as a Senior Training and Development Consultant. Taking a break from financial services she embarked on a new challenge, running her own successful online business, this allowed her to devote time to raising her young family. Gayle is a people person with a friendly approach to business and client relations. She has an infectious personality which i am sure will shine through in your dealings with Expert Pensions.
In what place are you happiest?
At home with my family, I am happily married with 2 gorgeous daughters who test my patience but make me smile every day.
Being happy and content with where I am and where I am heading and enjoying myself along the way.
I am driven by a need to feel proud and satisfied that I have given my best. This applies in all aspects of my life. I am also driven by being surrounded by good people, and hold great value in trust, honesty and people who make me laugh and enjoy life.
Nurse…always enjoyed helping and looking after people. Not sure if I could handle it though!
Apart from spending time with my family I enjoy running and have now completed 2 half marathons, which I am very proud of.
I have a pet Tortoise named Smudge.
Nicole
Nicole joined Expert Pensions to gain work experience in a business and learning environment. Due to her success in the office she was taken on as an apprentice and worked towards a qualification in Business Administration as part of her learning journey.
Following on from achieving an A grade in Business Management in school, Nicole had a great understanding and passion for the role she was taking on.
Nicole completed her apprenticeship ahead of schedule and now has an SVQ 2 in Business and Administration.
As a young person starting out, she already has a lot of life skills and qualifications which shine through. Nicole has a warm, open personality and loves gaining new experiences and skills.
“I am the newly trained Business Administrator and the future of Expert Pensions”
In what place are you happiest?
My home and being surrounded by people I love most. However… I wouldn’t mind lying on a beach somewhere hot.
What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?
My ambition in life is to be the best version of myself. My biggest achievement so far is passing my exams and raising £320 for the Mental Health Foundation.
What drives you?
Caring and helping others, my family and friends, love and kindness.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
I would be helping people with mental health issues and additional needs.
What do you do in your free time?
If I’m not spending time with family and friends, you’ll most likely find me in the gym.
What is something no one knows about you?
I love to sing.
Caroline
Caroline is the office assistant and brings many years of experience from various industry
sectors and is also CIPD Learning and Development qualified. Caroline is here to help with all your initial enquiries, keep you updated via Linkedin and our blogs and to ensure that you receive outstanding customer care from the moment you contact Expert Pensions.
With her excellent organisational skills, friendly chat and wealth of experience you can be assured of a warm and efficient welcome.
In what place are you happiest?
By the sea every time – you can’t beat an early morning walk walk watching the sun come up and listening to the waves crashing on the beach.
What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement in life has been helping others to succeed and I have been able to do this by working in an L&D environment and by being involved with the Modern Apprenticeship scheme. It makes me so proud when someone I have worked alongside reaches their goal or achieves that all important milestone.
What drives you?
Family. Friends. Not taking things for granted – being grateful for what life has to offer.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
When I was younger I always wanted to read the news but as I’ve got older it’s not just about doing a job you love its about working with great people who make coming into work a fun place to be.
What do you do in your free time?
I can throw a pretty good dinner party, love walking, reading a good thriller (I love a real page turner) and catching up with family and friends.
What is something no one knows about you?
My first job was on a YTS scheme in an Estate Agents and as part of my off the job training I
had to spend a week in Butlins (Minehead) as a Redcoat – Hi-Di-Hi!
Emma
My name is Emma, I am 26 and a 4th Year Web Development Student. I have a background working in the financial industry as well as several Customer Service Roles.
Before starting at Expert Pensions I studied Accounting & Finance, Art & Design and Interactive Media.
I enjoy learning new skills and anything that is IT/Web/Media related.
In the office I help the team with Admin related tasks as well as working on The Expert Pensions Website and IT tasks for the business.
In what place are you happiest?
I am happiest when I am surrounded by my friends and family or when trying something new.
What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?
My biggest ambition in life is to do whatever makes me happy. My biggest achievement so far is achieving an A in Interactive Media and Progressing on to University.
What drives you?
I am driven by my family and my desire to make them proud of me.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I would have liked to carry on my Dance Training from when I was much younger.
What do you do in your free time?
What Free time ?.. I don’t usually have much free time however when I do.. I enjoy going to the Cinema or trying/going somewhere new.
What is something no one knows about you?
I’m an open book ..
Michael
My name is Michael, I’m 29, from Glasgow. I’m married to my beautiful wife Sheena; together we have a three-year-old daughter Paloma with a second on the way.
My passion is the technical aspects of investment and pensions, and I’m fortunate enough to live this passion every day.
In what place are you happiest?
Surrounded by friends in my garden on a nice hot day, at my Weber Spirit E210 BBQ, beer in hand, with burgers, sausages, portobello mushrooms, corn cobs, and courgettes cooking away.
What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?
I want to go on and achieve a Level 7 qualification to bring myself up to the top level of technical consultants within Financial Services.
What drives you?
The need to be the absolute best at what I do, and the desire to provide my family with a nice lifestyle.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
There’s no way I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now.
What do you do in your free time?
When I’m not working, doing the household chores, or spending time with my family, I’m an avid fan of the Nostalgia Critic and AVGN. I love retro video games and good films. I also enjoy the occasional TV series – Cobra Kai, GoT and Breaking Bad. Massive fan of horror movies. Also, love a bit of RuPaul, and who doesn’t need a bit of the Greatest Showman in their lives?
What is something no one knows about you?
I used to play bass guitar and five-string banjo in a number of successful local bands. At one point I got pretty good, but I’ve not played for several years. I have my bass and treble-clef tattoos as mementos, as well as my Fender and Deering instruments sitting in the garage, under a thick layer of dust.
Andrew
Andrew is a technical consultant with 15 years’ experience in the financial services sector and a diverse range of experience including compliance consulting, complaints handling and business review work.
His work focuses particularly on the pensions area, though also assisting with investment and financial planning exams.
He helps our students work towards the CII’s AF7, LIBF PETR and CISI PTPA qualifications. He is a fellow of the Personal Finance Society and has sat and passed every qualification for which Expert Pensions offers support.
He has been there and done it and is here to ensure that our students get the knowledge and the exam technique they need to pass.
In what place are you happiest?
As a kid, I used to love going walking in the countryside. Nowadays, I’m not unduly fussed – as long as I’m surrounded by good family and friends I’m an easy man to please.
What is your biggest ambition in life…or greatest achievement?
Greatest achievement… gaining my fellowship by the age of 35 is something I am pretty proud of professionally. Personally, running my first half marathon a couple of years ago has to be up there
What drives you?
A chauffeur (I wish!) Seriously, I just love a challenge and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with achieving things I wasn’t sure I could do.
If you weren’t doing what you do today what other job would you have?
I would have loved to have been a professional sportsman of some description. Unfortunately for me, my talents lie more in my head than with my hands and feet!
What do you do in your free time?
I am a man of simple tastes – quite often found on a football pitch, in the gym or jogging round the streets. I like to see new places and also keep myself up to date professionally (I have to put something in that CII CPD log!)
What is something no one knows about you?
I have a phobia of needles.
