Experienced financial adviser appointed to Scott James Wealth Management

(L-R): Callum Robertson, Scott James and Graham Smith of Scott James Wealth Management
(L-R): Callum Robertson, Scott James and Graham Smith of Scott James Wealth Management

An Aberdeen-based investment specialist has expanded its team with the appointment of an experienced financial adviser following a period of continued growth for the business.

Graham Smith has joined Scott James Wealth Management – a representative of St James’s Place Wealth Management, based in the heart of Aberdeen’s west end.

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Graham, who lives in Stonehaven, brings a wealth of expertise in retirement planning, investment planning, protection, estate and tax planning following a career spanning nearly 30 years in the financial services sector, largely in the central belt.

He is a fully qualified adviser with a level four diploma in financial services and is currently working towards chartered financial planner status.

In 2012, Edinburgh-native Graham took a break from financial services, having completed a part-time engineering degree at Glasgow Caledonian University. He then re-located to the north-east to work in the oil and gas industry, before facing redundancy four years later.

He has since returned to financial services and spent the past two years working as a paraplanner with a fellow St James’s Place Wealth Management representative; a technical role that involved research, data gathering, advice checking and report writing.

Working alongside the firm’s owner Scott James, Graham’s new role will involve responsibility for growing the client portfolio through proactive and reactive financial advice and management, including recommending and implementing solutions that help clients to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Welcoming the new appointment, Scott James commented: “The past 12 months have seen funds under management increase by 40 per-cent year-on-year following significant growth in the preceding two years, which has been achieved through substantial referrals received through our existing client base

“This level of continued growth made it the right time to look at expanding the team and I am thrilled to have Graham on board. Not only does he bring tremendous experience within financial services to the team, but he was highly sought after by other competitors.

“Having known each other for a few years in both a professional and social capacity, I am confident that he will be a great addition to the team. I know and trust that he will continue to provide the same level of service to clients of Scott James Wealth Management that they have come to expect.”

Graham Smith added: “When I first met Scott, we immediately hit it off and I could tell that he is someone who has both integrity and good business morals. This is a brilliant opportunity to utilise my skills and experience and I’m looking forward to helping Scott and the rest of the team grow the practice by bringing new clients on board and providing exceptional service to existing clients.

“Having worked for a spell in the oil and gas industry, it has given me an important insight into the unique factors at play here in the local economy.

“Regardless of the state of the economy in Aberdeen, and Scotland as a whole, we can assist clients with their financial planning and put in place tax-efficient solutions for the medium to long-term. Of course, the sooner solutions are put in place, the better-placed clients will be to benefit from a sustained upturn.”

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