Meet Steven
Now in his early sixties, Steven has been an SJP client for more than a decade. A physician by training, and with a senior career where he earned a good salary in a related industry, he’s approaching the traditional retirement age. He describes himself as “close to financially retired,” but his idea of slowing down is anything but traditional. He holds non-executive roles and trusteeships and continues to run a successful small company which he founded in 2014. “I’ve just started taking dividend income from the business but for years I didn’t take a salary. I’m not sure when I’ll retire,” Steven laughs.
“I've had good jobs with good incomes, but we’ve never lived a lavish lifestyle. My wife works in the arts, and we joke that she works for a non-profit company since hers isn’t a regular income. We’ve had nice holidays and put our children through private schools and university. But no flash cars or multiple homes.”
The family relocated to the United States, where Steven’s contract meant his salary was split between being paid in the US and the UK to cover any UK expenses. He never touched the UK element of his earnings, which grew into a reasonably substantial lump sum over time. Returning to Britain, the couple sought financial advice, initially not from an SJP Partner, concerning these cash assets. The advice was to place most of the money in investment bonds, which would periodically mature and roll over. “It was passive investing, and growth was flatlining. We saw the financial adviser once a year, but when he retired, we didn't warm to his successor and decided to switch. “
They were introduced to Jordan, Steven’s current SJP adviser, on a friend’s personal recommendation. “Right from the start, Jordan was both responsive, and responsible,” Steven remembers.
