Earlier this year, we were delighted to welcome experienced financial adviser Chris Pedel to MPA. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, both as a consultant for Clerical Medical and later as an IFA, Chris brings considerable experience to our team, and we are delighted to have him on board.

In our latest adviser insights, we sat down with Chris and found out why joining MPA was the perfect fit.

So Chris, how did you get into financial services?

“Like several members of the MPA team, I began my career at Clerical Medical and worked with them for over 25 years. I was a consultant and responsible for working with IFAs across the midlands.

“Having worked with Clerical Medical for such a long time I wanted to see what life was like on the other side of the fence. I’d spent years helping IFAs and I felt I could then put that knowledge and experience into helping my own clients, so I trained to become an IFA and achieved this in 2012.

“I then worked within my own firm, Christopher Stephens Financial Services and I am proud to have built longstanding client relationships during this time. Many of my first clients have remained with me and they are all now part of MPA.

“Helping clients to achieve their financial aspirations is the most important thing for me. My clients recognize this and trust me, and I find that hugely satisfying.”

Why did you join MPA?

“I had been exploring my options and wanted to join a company that was still run by the owner and had a clear strategy in place for future growth and success. Therefore MPA was the perfect fit for me.

“In many ways it felt like coming home as there are several ex Clerical Medical employees here, so it has been good to join them once again.”

What do you enjoy the most?

“I enjoy keeping things simple and understandable for clients. I don’t believe in bamboozling clients and just want to ensure that they enjoy their money and have enough left in retirement. I enjoy explaining the flexibility that can be available in retirement and helping them along that journey.

“I love being able to save my clients money on their inheritance tax and helping people with lifetime mortgages so they can continue to enjoy their retirement.”  

What would your advice be to anyone wanting to plan their financial future?

“It something that all advisers would say, but that’s because its true…start early if you can! The importance of being in the market and remaining invested over time is huge and the earlier you start the better. However, with the rising cost of living this is becoming very difficult for young people. Even so, I would advise putting just a small amount away each month to build an emergency pot of money and try to avoid unnecessary debt. Then you can start looking at longer term savings goals.”

What do you enjoy about working at MPA?

“It’s been great to link up with old colleagues again and I am enjoying the support I have received. One thing that attracted me to MPA was its commitment to ongoing professional development and I know that I will be able to further my knowledge here and continue to provide an excellent service to my clients.

I also like the values of the business. It’s traditional, in a good way, and does a lot of good for the local community and those values are important to me.”

What do you get up to when you’re not working?

“I am married, and I have three grown up children, which leaves me with a bit more time than I used to have!

“When I am not busy helping my clients, and like several members of the MPA team, I am a keen cricket player and Captain Old Northamptonians 5^th team. I have done this for over 15 years and that is something I am very proud of.

“I enjoy cycling too and try to get out as often as I can.”