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Shaun Ramazannezhad on the value of proactivity for your wealth

By Shaun Ramazannezhad

Wealth Management Consultant, McMillan Wealth Consultants Limited

Shaun Ramazannezhad, the Hampshire protégé of McMillan Wealth Consultants, debuted in the financial services industry from a desire to help people and businesses protect and grow their wealth.

His transition from the corporate world working for a leading European manufacturing company into wealth management occurred via the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy, from where Shaun progressed into Partner Practice McMillan Wealth Consultants.

The avid gym-goer is an advocate for proactivity in financial planning to maximise the security and benefits the sphere brings. Approachable and relatable, Shaun is a next generation adviser who is passionate about providing a holistic approach to wealth management.

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What are your specialisms and who are your clients?

I enjoy working with people who have the same mindset as me. I'm self-employed, so I know all the struggles and challenges of that, but I also know the things I can use to protect myself and take advantage of from a tax point of view for long-term financial planning.

Predominantly, my work is in retirement planning. It's one of those things that a lot of people don't think about early enough. I get a lot of people who come to me further up the age spectrum, and there is a lot of opportunity they've missed previously. Business owners, the self-employed, and professionals have often paid a lot of tax, and not got a lot of benefit from it.

I take a holistic approach, clients may come to me with retirement needs, but I'll always look at any risks that they’re unnecessarily exposed to or any allowances or opportunities that they're missing. The other end of the spectrum of financial advice is passing wealth on to the next generation in the most effective way, which is around inheritance tax planning.

Why is financial advice and planning important?

I think it's important because whether we like it or not, money plays a big part in our life. I see a lot of people my age or younger, who have done very well for themselves, but they could have done better – they’re not looking far enough into the future.

When you put something away now, and it is compounded for twenty plus years, it's amazing how much it can grow when it’s put in the right places.

I see a lot of people with well-paid jobs, who can’t retire because they don't have enough money put away to continue to live the lifestyle they want.

We aren’t taught this in school. We’re taught how to get a job but all the things after that, what to do with that money in the most effective way, are completely missed.

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"When you put something away now, and it is compounded for twenty plus years, it's amazing how much it can grow when it’s put in the right places."

What are the common misconceptions about wealth management?

People typically think that you need to be well off or rich to speak to someone like myself, which is completely not the case. If you have a job, and one day you don’t want to work, then you need a wealth consultant to help you get there in the most effective way, retire when you want to, and continue to live the life that you want to live.

What advice would you give to someone considering financial planning?

With any sort of planning, proactivity is key; time is your best friend, and it is never too early to start. Stop putting it at the bottom of the to-do list and talk to someone like myself, because you are under no obligation and all it takes is a little bit of time. Just having some small conversations with people has made huge differences.

How are you using social media to engage with your clients?

I use Instagram and Facebook because a lot of people my age or younger, don’t know what financial advice is, don’t understand it, or don’t think they’re the right person for financial advice. What I try to do on social media is break down that barrier and put it in a more interesting and simpler format.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I’m a keen gym goer – I go to the gym five days a week with my wife; that’s what keeps me grounded. We got married in February; my wife is also quite an ambitious person, so we spur each other on.

Outside of work, we enjoy the simple things: going for nice meals and visiting friends and family.

"With any sort of planning, proactivity is key; time is your best friend, and it is never too early to start."

Shaun Ramazannezhad - Wealth Management Consultant, McMillan Wealth Consultants Limited

What would you like to be recognised for?

I’d like to be known as the go-to wealth consultant for the south. I would like it to be recognised that people come to me because they know I’m friendly, approachable, and honest. And I will do all I possibly can to put them in the best financial position with the backing of the resources and support that we have at St James’s Place.

Who do you admire?

I’m a big podcast listener and a fan of Steven Bartlett. He’s achieved a lot, but I admire him for the part he’s playing now rather than what he’s done in his previous career. You can learn so much from people who have already stepped in the steps that you’re taking. What I take from his podcast is hearing and absorbing the learnings from the successful people he speaks with.

I also admire Dwayne Johnson for his journey: from where he started to where he is now, the way he works, and what he has achieved.

Do you have any mottos?

From a professional perspective: You don’t know, what you don’t know and time is your best friend. Because when you are informed, do things proactively and plan things, the chance of success is so much greater.

From a personal perspective: Stay positive. Most people greatly undervalue the power of a positive mind.

McMillan Wealth Consultants Limited is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

SJP Approved 18/04/2024

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