We wish Paul Howson all the best for his retirement

Published by Daniel Robertson on 4 June 2021

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The 31st May 2021 marked Paul Howson’s retirement from Kreston Reeves Financial Planning and a distinguished career in financial services as a Chartered Financial Planner.

Career development

“My time with Kreston Reeves has been a valuable career development. The firm has encouraged specialism and my involvement with many technical pension cases has been most rewarding”.

Paul’s joining Kreston Reeves Financial Planning in April 2006 after 30 years with NatWest / RBS coincided with Pension A Day where there were significant changes to pension legislation, with many clients having concerns regarding the Lifetime and Annual allowances, interpretations and more recently in respect of the more flexible pension regulations launched in the 2014 Budget.

“It is always satisfying to advise those close to retirement. The numerous options frequently cause confusion and concern with many individuals valuing the involvement of a pension professional to advise at this important time”.

Society of Later Life Advisers

Continuing to enhance the highly technical retirement planning advice he provides, Paul first undertook specialist training and asessments required to become fully accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) in May 2012.

SOLLA was established in 2008 as a not for profit organisation dedicated to higher standards and accessibility to regulated financial advice for older people and their families in complex matters such as care home funding, fuding for care in your own home, savings and investment planning and tax matters, in addition to estate and wealth planning. There are no shareholders and any profit is used to sustain the Society and its objective.

“My work with elderly clients has been extremely gratifying. I frequently advised on care fees management and habitually provided advice to both professional and lay Attorneys and Deputies, often the sons and daughters of those in care. Having personal experience of being responsible for a close relative needing care, I know just how difficult these situations can be. Maintaining a rational and cool-headed approach is not easy if you are emotionally involved”.

Tish Hanifan, Founder and Joint Chair of SOLLA comments “The SOLLA team wish Paul all the very best for his retirement although we are sad to lose him as a member, most especially because someone with his knowledge, professionalism and importantly, empathy are hard to find.

Paul has shown in his 9 years as a member exactly why SOLLA is widely considered to be the ‘Gold Standard’ in later life financial advice. He has helped so many clients and their families through difficult decisions often at changing times such as entering the care system. This takes more than just knowledge it takes the right kind of person – someone like Paul.

Along with this he has been generous with his time in supporting SOLLA’s regional group and I know I speak for all his fellow Kent members when I say he will be missed.

Good luck Paul and we hope that in your retirement you will have time to reflect that over your career you have made a huge difference to so many of your clients”.

Despite Paul’s departure, Kreston Reeves Financial Planning will continue to provide advice for elderly clients and those concerned with planning for their future wellbeing with Chartered Financial Planner, Lee Hayward also having undertaken the required specialist training and examinations to be fully SOLLA accredited.

The Kreston Reeves team

Paul “has felt lots of support over the years in creating a great team spirit in which to work” and in-turn I know many within the team, myself included, are incredibly grateful of all his help, expertise, support and mentoring.

Managing Director, David Hurst shares that “Paul has been a valued member of the team for the last 15 years with a high level of technical expertise and professionalism. We have all enjoyed working with him and although he will be missed, wish to thank him for all he has contributed and wish him the very best in retirement”.

Unfortunately, current covid restrictions have prevented the team from all getting together in person before Paul left. We did have a virtual get together, with many contributing towards a card jam-packed full of kind words and vouchers to spend on items of his choosing, in addition to a well-thought-out hamper consisting of his favourite drinks, nibbles and other items such as a ‘retirement survival kit’ put together by another Adviser within the team, Georgia Leahy.

We all hope to then have a face to face send off later in the year.

Life after retirement

Paul plays a variety of musical instruments including the mandolin, mandola and banjo, enjoys dancing to modern jive, walking and bird watching in the countryside.

He has a real passion for guitars and has had one built by local luthier Alister Atkin which was “picked up a few weeks ago and sounds great”.

Once safe to do so, following current covid foreign travel restrictions, he has plenty of travel plans including Thailand and Palestine and seeing his grandson again. “It is an exciting time!”

Even when not travelling, enjoying music, the countryside or seeing family, we have been told his fiancé, has a long list of tasks for him – so he will not be taking it easy!

Paul will be missed by his former clients, colleagues and all that have worked with him over the years, but we wish him all the best and look forward to keeping in contact.

If you wish to speak to an Independent Financial Planner with a thorough understanding of retirement and planning for later life, in addition to possessing the skills to engage in the most delicate of discussions please contact Kreston Reeves Financial Planning on +44(0)1227 768231 or by completing our online enquiry form.

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