He started his career at Prudential before moving on to heavyweights like Clerical Medical. This week we find out that Charles Evans, corporate partnerships director at McCurrach Financial Services, loves golf and believes the industry is losing its focus on the customer.
What was your first job in financial services?
I started with a graduate trainee position at Prudential Assurance straight after finishing my law degree at the University of Glamorgan. I then spent 20 years at Clerical Medical working my way up to a position on the senior management team and helping develop the cross HBOS intermediary strategy.
What drew you to the profession?
It was my family’s background in banking and finance that drove my initial interest. This turned into a passion for the sector and prompted me to gain qualifications in both business studies and law. I was also attracted by the challenges posed by working in an industry of ever-changing regulations and practices.
What is the most important thing advisers (or a company) can do for their clients?
Always keep your clients at the heart of everything that you do. Remember who’s paying you! One of the reasons that I decided to join McCurrach was the client-centric and best-practice approach they champion.
What is the most important decision you have ever made?
To opt for a career in financial services instead of rock drumming (most drummers are deaf, arthritic and penniless!). Also, getting married and having a family, which gave me the motivation and drive to better myself.
How do you think the industry has changed since you started working in it?
The pace in the financial services sector is now much faster, with customers demanding more efficient responses and expecting their account management teams to understand their businesses like never before.
Shareholders also have much less patience and the industry has shifted away from a customer-centric approach to become much more about numbers than people. These changes are not necessarily always good. My aim is to increase awareness in the financial services sector of the need to put client service and efficient account management back in the spotlight.
Other than property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
A car. This was closely followed by my silver wedding anniversary holiday to the Maldives.
What is your perfect day off?
A lie in, followed by a game of golf with a few close friends, topped off with a nice meal and a visit to my local.
What would you tell your 10-year-old self?
Be the best you can be, but be nice doing it. Enjoy life and follow your dreams.
Who would you recommend as a must-follow person on Twitter?
I don’t use Twitter. I get my industry news from the Financial Times and a range of other sources, including LinkedIn.
What do you have set as your homepage in your internet browser?
Sovereign Luxury Travel - www.sovereign.com
