At True Potential we believe it is important for our clients to know the people who make the decisions about the products to help achieve financial goals. For this reason we have interviewed a number of key players within True Potential to find out a little about their background as well as what their current roles are.
For this week’s instalment of our blog, we’d like to introduce you to our Head of Banking & Mortgages, David Simpson.
Could you tell us a little about your background/expertise in the financial services industry?
I have spent 33 years in banking and wealth management; 14 years with Barclays and almost 19 years with Coutts. At Barclays I carried out a variety of roles on both the Corporate and Personal sides, setting up Barclays Premier Banking in Newcastle in the early 1990’s. At Coutts, as well as heading up the North East office I built and managed a portfolio of HNW clients providing investment and structuring advice. I am a Fellow of the Securities Institute and a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers.
What is your role at True Potential?
My title of Head of Banking and Mortgage Proposition covers a multitude of sins! Primarily we are seeking a True Potential mortgage solution which builds on our strengths as a financial technology business, providing clients with visibility and planning opportunities around both their investments and liabilities. I have spent the last 20+ years dealing with professional contacts and therefore another part of my role is to promote the merits of the True Potential investment methodology in a slightly wider context.
What does an average day look like to you?
Unsurprisingly there is no such thing which of itself makes my role both challenging and enjoyable. My first few months have been spent in ensuring I have an appreciation of the whole business and in speaking with lots of people who work here. Without exception everyone here has been welcoming and helpful which makes a huge difference when one joins a new firm.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
From a commercial standpoint, helping to set up a new Wealth Management business for Coutts in Newcastle and contributing to making it one of the most successful Regional Offices in the country. Providing mentoring input for younger colleagues has also proved both rewarding and a great privilege.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The variety of aspects which it entails and the people I get to interact with as a result. I am naturally entrepreneurial in outlook and having licence to help develop the business in new directions is invigorating.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Balancing competing demands. There is a great deal to achieve over the coming months and years but it is important that as well as developments being made quickly that these are made professionally and successfully. Short lines of communication within True Potential do assist in this regard as an answer regarding strategy or direction can be quickly sought. Very different to some rather larger, slower moving institutions out there……
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a keen cricketer (Blagdon Park CC) and a more occasional golfer, when time allows. In common with many others involved in the Finance industry I am Treasurer to a couple of societies, including my cricket club. I also sit on the local Development Committtee of the Princes Trust and sing in a local choir.
Anything else you think our audience would like to know?
I am married with 2 daughters aged 20 and 14 who keep me young, amused and insolvent!
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