Gary Fawcett - Branch Principal at Raymond James, Monument
What did you set out to achieve this year?
The team set out to establish Raymond James, Monument as one of the region’s most trusted and ‘go to’ wealth managers. Our ambition is to build a reputation for accessibility, exceptional client service, good client outcomes and support for our local community. Looking after people and their families’ finances is not a transaction to us, it is about building long term relationships, which we are very proud of.
Has everything gone according to plan?
We’re very happy with our progress this year and are delighted with what we’ve achieved. It hasn’t been plain sailing by any means, but what matters is how you deal with what’s in front of you and come through it in a stronger position. We’re really pleased that over 200 clients have chosen to appoint us as their adviser over the last 12 months, most of whom have seen a saving in the fees they were previously paying, and I feel this is testament to the way the team looks after people and the care we take when formulating their financial plans and tailoring the investments to their needs.
It’s also nice when people ask where you’re from and when you tell them, they say, “you’re the wealth management people, aren’t you”. It shows we’ve managed to create a presence since launching in June 2023, with a team, which has a collective experience of over 100 years advising clients! We’ve also managed to support many charitable initiatives, which is important to us.
What are you most proud of this year?
I’m chuffed to bits that within a short space of time, we’ve managed to build a wealth management office that puts clients front and centre of what we do. I’m also particularly proud of the recent announcement of the office’s fiveyear support of IntoUniversity Newcastle, which aims to provide life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged young people across Newcastle through education support and outreach. By partnering with Newcastle University to support IntoUniversity, we are making a longterm commitment to help address educational inequality.
Our support will enable the Newcastle East Centre to provide essential services to over 1,000 students annually. The financial backing will ensure the centre’s programmes remain robust and accessible, creating life-changing opportunities for local young people.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received this year?
Caroline Theobald said at the Entrepreneurs Forum Awards in September, that you should “do the right thing, for the right reasons”. That has stayed with me and if you follow that advice, the rest should take care of itself.
What has been the most enjoyable business event you’ve been to this year?
I’m very lucky to have attended some wonderful and inspirational day and evening events, mainly in aid of charity, ranging from the Newcastle United Foundation Awards, to the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation’s Halloween Ball, the Entrepreneurs Forum Awards and An Evening With Kevin Keegan. Buy given my love of golf, having the opportunity to play at Royal Lytham St Annes and The Renaissance Club was a higlight!
What have you learnt about yourself this year?
I’ve always thought of myself as resilient, but helping launch and grow a new office, with the various ups and downs which go with that, has put that to the test!
Describe 2024 in three words….
Exciting, emotional and monumental!
What are your aims for 2025?
We want to keep attracting clients, who will hopefully enjoy and benefit from our client centric focus, very high levels of client service and competitive fees. We’re also keen to further strengthen our financial planning and investment manager team. Our most important aim, however, is to continue delivering for our clients.
Any New Year resolutions?
I generally don’t make New Year resolutions, but one that I must make is to spend more quality time with my family. Its not necessarily about more time, but instead the time I do spend should be purely focused on them. I am guilty of checking my phone when I really shouldn’t!
www.Monument.RaymondJames.uk.com