Michael Harms
Devon
I am an Independent Financial Adviser and have recently set up Medical & General IFA. I give specialist financial advice to doctors and dentists primarily in the South West of England.
Whilst I am a holistic independent financial adviser, I have specialist knowledge of the NHS including, among other areas, its pension scheme, the benefits of the pension scheme and the impact recent and future changes could have on your personal circumstances. I am able to provide projections of what your pension will be worth in the future and can provide guidance on the Life Time and Annual Allowance.
Experience
I have worked closely with the medical profession for four years having recently been a Financial Consultant at Wesleyan Medical Sickness Society. Before this I advised high net worth clients at Santander.
Previously in my career I worked in London for a variety of Asset Management companies within Operations. This type of work provided me with a rounded understanding of the industry from the grass roots up.
Qualifications
Having intially worked for a large financial firm in London, I went on to complete a degree in Financial Services where my passion for finance, and in particular financial advice, further developed.
Directly after my degree I completed the Financial Planning Qualifications FPC1 & 2.
The FCA have since introduced a more stringent diploma level of qualification for all advisers across the industry. In response to this I completed the necessary qualifications 18 months before the required cut off point in January 2013. I have since continued my studying and have completed AF5 which is the all encompassing exam towards achieving Chartered Status.
I am now considering the areas of expertise I would like to enhance and aim to achieve full Chartered Status over the next 18 months.
Interest and Activities
After meeting my wife in London, we decided to make the move to East Devon and currently live in Sidmouth where we are raising our two young children.
I have always been a keen sportsman, mainly spending time out on the water in a rowing boat. Having Captained my University's rowing team and having competed in various events, I continued with rowing until very recently when the family came along. I have also been known to compete in the odd triathlon.