I started off in financial services in 2009 as a platform consultant with AXA Wealth, moving onto being a business development manager with Ascentric (Royal London) and finally Zurich. My long term ambition was always to become a financial adviser, I gained my Level 4 qualifications within 12 months in 2017 and I finally made the jump in 2018 working with Lighthouse Financial Services and then SRB Wealth Management. I met Alisdair while working with Zurich in 2015, assisting him with any service and technical queries in relation to his Sterling & Zurich Assurance clients (Insurance, Stocks and Shares ISA’s & Investment Bonds). I joined Alisdair at AML in December 2019, working with him and his clients with the same ethical ethos which is important to us both. I took over AML in January 2021 and while Alisdair has now retired he will continue to be involved behind the scenes.

I enjoy spending family time with my wife, two children and our new recruit Cosmo the dog. I try and keep fit, swimming, cycling and playing golf. I also enjoy going to Westwood Parish church and helping out when I can.

Educated at Bellahouston Academy in Glasgow.

I started my working life in finance with the Bank of Scotland when I left school. During my time with BOS I played professional football part-time with St Mirren. I gave up my banking career and embarked on a new career as a full time professional footballer with St Mirren, then signed for Southampton in 1973 until 1975 and then signed for Hibs in 1975. I was Hibs top Premier League goalscorer in 7 leagues in a row. Due to knee trouble I was forced into retirement in 1982. More about Alisdair’s playing career with the Scotsman Interview in the link below.

Scotsman Interview: Hibs hero Ally MacLeod on the final that got away.

I re-joined the financial Services industry with Australian Mutual and progressed to management positions with Australian Mutual and Royal Sun Alliance. I set up my own company, namely, AML Associates in the year 2000 as I saw the need in the industry for independent advice.

A huge part of the success of AML was down to the calibre of colleagues I have worked with and one of them, Norman Macarthur, is still with AML.

Lachlan has taken over the running and ownership of AML and will always have my help and support going forward.

I was born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis. Having left school, I spent 3 years studying for, and graduating with an HNC in Mechanical and Production Engineering, before leaving home to move to Glasgow, where I spent 4 years studying before graduating with a BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering in 1992. In 2012/13 I studied and obtained my Diploma in Investment Planning through the Institute of Chartered Bankers.

In July 1993 I started in Financial Services with a company called General Portfolio (then GAN), before moving to Royal and Sun Alliance in 1998. In December 1999 AML Associates Financial Services was set up, headed by Alisdair Macleod who I had worked with since 1996, and I began my career as an Independent Financial Advisor with them.

As a small firm we, as individual advisors within the firm, addressed all aspects of personal financial planning with our clients, including mortgages, protection, retirement planning and investments.

Now that Lachlan has joined, we have decided that it makes more sense for him to deal with the pension and investment business (as this is his background and speciality) and I will focus on the mortgages and insurance (having almost 28 year’s experience in these areas).

On a personal basis, I am married to Ann and have 2 children, Ben (21) and Ellie (18). I play the bagpipes when I have time, and have played at many weddings over the years, as well as some formal functions when I was in University. My other main interests are Man Utd, Carloway FC, reading and fresh water fishing (when I get back home).

My career in Financial Services commenced 20 years ago, working with one of the biggest life offices in the UK. Having gained valuable experience, I then moved over to work on the IFA support side specialising in wealth management. This then led to the establishment of my own firm, helping various IFA firms with technical support, and building financial plans for their clients.

In 2018 I then linked up with Lachlan and then joined him at AML as Technical Consultant.

Throughout my financial services career, I have been driven to improve and enhance my knowledge, this has involved sitting a number of exams and I’m now delighted to be a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Being married to a doctor, I take a keen interest in the NHS Pension scheme and how this operates and interacts with the complex UK tax regime. I have worked alongside a number of clinicians to offer support and guidance relating to their pension and tax issues.

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife and two young children and still try and keep fit playing golf when possible!