lumin news Issue 8 / Summer 2023

lumin news 8 / summer 2023 Page 11
OPINIONS
Meet the
Adviser:
Will Harries
Financial Consultant Will Harries explains how he’s
made the transition from playing professional rugby
to helping clients tackle their retirement journeys
and fulfil their financial and lifestyle goals.
Will in action during his Wales debut against New Zealand in Hamilton
What are the similarities between
financial advice and sport?
Performing at a high level as a professional
sports player leaves no room
for error. You need to make sure your
pre-match analysis and plan is accurate
and is implemented as efficiently as
possible. Communication is also vital
to success in professional sport. As a
financial adviser you need to be able to
effectively communicate both the details
and benefits of a financial plan to
a client. At Lumin we keep our advice
as simple and as straightforward as possible,
so communication with clients
has to match this.
What transferable skills have you
brought from your rugby career?
Problem-solving, attention to detail
and the ability to analyse and deliver
on pre-planned strategies are all key
traits that served me well in my rugby
career, and which I now employ on a
regular basis as a Financial Consultant
at Lumin.
Working alongside a wider team –
including administrative colleagues,
paraplanners and in-house investment
professionals – to create and implement
a specific, tax-efficient financial plan for
a client is similar to the off-field analysis
we did ahead of rugby matches. You also
meet people from all walks of life as a
Financial Consultant, so the social nature
of rugby helped prepare me for this
aspect of the job.
How did Lumin make the transition
from rugby easy for you?
While studying for each exam that
makes up the Level 4 Diploma in Regulated
Financial Planning I was paired
up with a senior adviser. I attended client
meetings from pretty much day one,
which helped transfer exam knowledge
into a real-life setting.
What’s the best thing about being a
financial adviser?
I think the most rewarding thing is
being a genuine financial advice partner
for a client. At Lumin we don’t just give
our clients advice on their retirement,
we actively come on that journey with
them. Helping clients achieve their financial
and lifestyle goals via a structured
and tax-efficient financial plan is
a really rewarding experience.
And lastly, what was the highlight
of your rugby career?
It has to be playing in my first international
game for Wales against the
All Blacks in New Zealand in 2010. I
was named in the training squad, as
cover for the main travelling squad.
Shane Williams picked up an injury,
and I got the nod to travel to Hamilton.
Stepping out onto the pitch and facing
the Haka on New Zealand soil was
pretty special.
WILL HARRIES
Will joined Lumin in 2020 after
a successful career as a professional
rugby player for clubs
including Northampton Saints
and Newport Gwent Dragons.
He has a Level 4 Diploma in
Regulated Financial Planning
and is working towards
achieving Chartered status.
Lumin is always keen to hear
from enthusiastic career-changers,
graduates, or qualified financial
advisers who excel in providing a quality
client service. Academy members
benefit from a fully funded and supported
training programme, which is
run by Learning and Development
Manager Rebecca Lawrie.
Do you know someone who would like
to be a part of Lumin’s exciting growth
plans? They can send their CV to
careers@luminwealth.co.uk or visit
luminwealth.co.uk/careers