Simon has 31 years’ experience in financial services and provides independent financial planning advice to business owners and professionals. You are more than your job, and Simon helps you make plans to live your life to the full! Using cash flow tools and his insight into the world of pensions, investments, savings and inheritance, he helps clients understand what they can achieve. Simon works with a range of clients, many of whom are interested in investing for social, environmental and ethical concerns. He welcomes enquiries from anyone interested in exploring this approach.

Financial services career timeline

After leaving sixth form, Simon took a gap year to work for Royal Insurance in their motor claims team before studying Economics at Nottingham. After university, Simon joined the Inland Revenue Pension Schemes Office. The early years of Simon’s academic and working career set him up with a solid understanding of all aspects of finance and cemented his interest in using his knowledge to benefit others. A move to KPMG widened Simon’s commercial experience. Whilst a trainee pension consultant, he studied with the Pensions Management Institute and the Chartered Insurance Institute. His studies gave Simon a well-rounded approach to personal finance, not just from a planning perspective, but also underlined the importance of financial protection. In time, Simon was headhunted for a financial adviser role at Grant Thornton in Northampton. This expanded his capabilities beyond pensions and after a couple of years he left to join a smaller firm, Moore Stephens. Whilst there he sat more exams to obtain a diploma in Financial Planning. Having a young family at this time reinforced Simon’s belief in the power of financial planning and meant he was able to understand the concerns of his clients more fully. 2006 saw Simon make the leap from employment to self-employment, setting up as The Lost Coin. Simon’s achievements in recent years include obtaining a diploma from the Pensions Management Institute in 2012 and forming a limited company in 2014 to grow The Lost Coin further. Both of these elements have rounded out the service and understanding that Simon offers to clients.

Outside of work

Simon is committed to making a difference in his local community; he is a founding member of the Sodbury and Yate Business Association and has been active since it began in 2009. Simon and his wife Heidi have lived in Frampton Cotterell for 14 years, seeing all three children through the same senior school. Their two daughters have graduated with a degree in Children’s Nursing, and their son lives at home whilst working as a trainee Sound Engineer.

Qualifications at a glance

3 A levels in Economics, Latin and Maths BA degree in Economics Diploma in Financial Planning, member of Personal Finance Society since 2001 Diploma from Pensions Management Institute

Heidi has assisted Simon in his business since he first set up as a sole trader in 2006. Her organisational skills and creative mind make her an ideal partner with whom to run the business. Heidi is the driving force behind the business’ marketing to clients and engaging with visitors at exhibitions. She is firmly in charge of client relations; if you’ve worked with Simon for any length of time, you’re sure to have received a handmade birthday card, courtesy of Heidi’s hard work, or an appropriate choice of eCard.

Heidi’s interest in family and in creating a positive space for all underlines the work that Simon does for clients. A passion for family and children is also reflected in Heidi’s work for Moosc as a Childrens’ Play Worker.