Darren Proctor

DJ DARREN WON’T LET BECOMING A DAD PUT HIS FINANCES IN A SPIN

WHEN you’re still wetting the baby’s head, thoughts of schools, universities and extra life assurance are usually the last thing on your mind, but the birth of a first – or subsequent child – is a crucial time to review your finances.

So says Kevin Gillibrand, a director of North West based independent financial planning firm Fraser Wealth Management.

One first-time dad who’s about to give his finances a complete overhaul with help from Kevin is Manchester’s Key 103 presenter Darren Proctor.

Darren – who can currently be heard presenting the drivetime show from 4pm to 7pm each weekday - and his partner Louise have recently become proud parents to Harry James Proctor.

Says Darren: “I’ve known Kevin for nearly 10 years, he started to look after my finances when I first moved to Liverpool to work for Radio City. He literally takes care of all my finances – I’m completely unorganised on that side of things so he keeps everything in line and up to date. 

“I’ve achieved a couple of big financial goals over the years with help from Fraser Wealth Management, one being mortgage free – not bad at 37 – and also having a strong pension plan for the future.”

Darren has also turned to Fraser Wealth Management for advice and direction for his investment in business outside his radio work. 

He explains: “I’m now a director and partner in a conference and events company called The Challenge Factor, a company which has been going for 21 years now and originates from the famous TV programme, The Krypton Factor. We’re one of the UK’s leading conference production and events companies, supplying blue chip organisations with new and inspiring ways of holding a conference, event or charity fundraiser. Our managing director Geoff Kershaw has also become a client of Fraser Wealth Management.

“Having just become a dad for the first time I’m now chatting to Kevin about setting up a fund for the future for Harry. My parents did it for me when I was a baby and when I got the money at 18 it was such a big help to start out in the property world. I’m hoping to do the same for my son.”

Kevin Gillibrand, who founded Fraser Wealth Management four years ago with fellow financial planner Paul Bocking, has plenty of sound advice for Darren.

He comments: “We’re delighted for Darren and his family, but becoming a father for the first time is a life-changing experience in more ways than one; there’s a lot more to it than late-night feeds and nappy changes. He has another dependent now and he needs to take a close look at his life assurance and income protection policies to make sure that Louise and Harry will be financially secure should the worst happen.

“I’ve no idea whether Darren is considering a private education for Harry but if he is – or looking even further ahead, if he wants to plan for his son going to University – then he needs to start setting funds aside now to help pay for it.  These are things that all young families should be thinking about, not just new dads like Darren.”

Helping parents plan for the future is just one area of expertise for Liverpool based Fraser Wealth Management, who have clients across the north west and further afield. The company offers expert advice on a wide range of subjects, with particular emphasis on retirement, investment and inheritance tax planning.

Kevin adds: “We can help our clients at different life stages to protect and grow their wealth; whether it’s helping them put together a diverse investment portfolio, working towards a comfortable retirement, mitigating their inheritance tax liabilities or maybe helping them realise the personal benefits of running a successful business by planning their ‘exit strategy’ and how to manage their own personal wealth thereafter.”

Call 0845 456 4404 to arrange a one-hour consultation or go to www.fraserwm.co.uk for further details.

Editor’s footnote: Established in 2004, Fraser Wealth Management was the first firm of independent financial planners in Liverpool to be awarded Chartered status by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) in 2007. The company has also held Investors in People status since 2005. They recently passed the significant milestone of £100 million of clients’ funds under investment and have introduced a more transparent fee-based service (rather than one based solely on commission from investments) in line with recommendations expected to be made later this year by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Liverpool Office

52 Tithebarn Street
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Tel: 0845 456 4404
Fax: 0845 456 4405
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Tel: 0207 743 6558
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