Michael Giokas - Financial Advice and Something More...


What do you look for in a Financial Adviser when picking the person who is going to manage your financial affairs? Apart from the critical attributes of honesty, integrity and professionalism do you look for someone with similar interests as yourself or an individual who is the polar opposite of you? Should there be some common ground or does it not matter, because it’s just a professional relationship like doctor/patient?

Judging by the strength and length of Michael Giokas client/adviser relationships, and the testimonials they receive from clients, there are some deep and enduring relationships that have developed over the years.

So if for instance you are an animal lover, you may have lots in common with Senior Partner and Financial Adviser Claudia Shaw who has a menagerie of dogs, chickens, rabbits, a cat, parrot, and fish; or perhaps you could swap stories with Adrian Luscombe-Whyte, our VP International Pensions in Spain, who claims his dog Bear is the world’s most spoilt dog.

Perhaps when you’re finished discussing financial matters you’d like to be in the company of a sports enthusiast.

We have many golfers, among them Senior Associates Stuart Bichard and Simon Burras, and David Richardson, a member of English Golf Captains, having been the Captain of Lilley brook Golf Club, Cheltenham in 2005.

And then there are the footballers. IFA Brendan Quinn, still plays football and was recently selected for the Scotland Over 50's football team for the home Internationals. VP International Pensions, Jason O’Connell plays Gaelic football and was the first and only Irish male to represent the Oman Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) men’s football team throughout competitions in the GCC. Senior Associate Paul Nevin was a soccer coach and Small Sided Games Coordinator for the Irish Football Association, but now indulges in sporting activities that include his four kids.

Employee Benefits Associate Jason Freeborn, who spent his twenties at sea while in the Royal Navy, is still a keen offshore sailor, but also a mountain biker and jazz trumpet player.   
                                   

If Michael Giokas had an ‘All-round Sportsman’ award it would certainly go to Senior Financial Adviser

Lee Carey, a self- confessed sports addict who will jump into anything from football to gymsquashgolfskiingskydiving, and bungee jumping. He’s also a member of the Newcastle Swimming Club.
Senior Consultant Paul Barrass is an elite racing cyclist who regularly competes in competitions around the Middle East and Asia. Richard Colburn our VP International Pensions Division (Thailand and the Far East) is an avid cyclist, racking up around 8000km a year, while Mark Powsney VP International Pensions enjoys long distance cycling as well.
Senior Associate/Partnership Manager Vince Truong is into mixed martial arts, while Martin Burrett is an enthusiastic horticulturalist and enjoys motorcycling and classic car restoration.
International Pensions VPs Colin Kneale and Nicholas Cole enjoy Padel tennis, while Senior Associate Edward Steffens from South Africa loves playing lawn bowls.
We have quite a few guitarists on the Michael Giokas team including VP International Pensions and Investments David Wells and IFA Anthony Murray. Anthony also holds a private pilot license as does VP International Pensions Mark Jones whose major passion is flying light aircraft.

So, whatever your interest, there’s bound to be a Michael Giokas adviser who’s on the same page as you.

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