It’s been a few weeks now since our beloved Dave Lawson had to stop assisting the good people of SF (don’t worry, he hasn’t gone down for white collar crime or anything like that, just another of the many ‘benefits’ of Brexit…) and ever since then I’ve been looking for a replacement. Not easy as my criteria are stringent!
But I am now delighted to introduce, drum roll, George Symes!
George has worked in financial services for nearly 10 years, starting with UK-based clients before expanding to support clients living in France and across Europe. Outside of work, he can usually be found on the golf course, skiing whenever possible, or watching Bournemouth FC lose gloriously on a Saturday. He explains that he joined SJB Global as “I wanted to join the firm that has the best online reputation for client advice and work internationally, dealing with people in new locations every day. It feeds my (slightly obsessive) thirst for knowledge as there is always something new to learn in this role”.
He’s well qualified having completed 13 different professional exams with the CII and CISI (both UK regulatory bodies) that focus on giving the best financial advice.
George says that he spends a lot of time “speaking with expats across Europe and helping simplify the jargon. I also work closely with an international lawyer and cross border tax advisors who specialise in both UK and French law, which allows me to offer great advice especially when it comes to estate planning and cross-border financial structures. I enjoy getting to know my clients and turning complex choices into clear, actionable options with tailored financial plans that reflect each client’s goals and ensuring these stay aligned as life and legislation change.
There’s also a fair amount of chasing providers, digging into obscure pension rules, and drinking questionable amounts of coffee…
What I enjoy most is helping clients make sense of the complicated. There’s real satisfaction in turning confusion into clarity and hearing someone say, “Ah, now I get it.” I value open, honest conversations that lead to meaningful outcomes, whether that’s building a clear retirement plan, understanding long-forgotten pensions, or simply feeling more in control.
As a SF member, if you have a UK pension or investments and now live abroad, I can help to structure things more tax efficiently or provide ongoing management or advice. I can help you avoid tax traps, get better control over your money, and build a plan that fits your goals and lifestyle.
You can DM me here on SF - or email me at george.symes@sjb-global.com or book a Teams call for a chat: Calendly
I’m always happy to jump on a quick call and talk things through!”
So there you have it - a bit about George and how he can help you. Welcome to the SF family George!
