I am Gloucestershire born and bred, having attended St Edward’s School in Cheltenham and I played for several local sports clubs in my younger days. I studied for a financial services degree at the University of the West of England between 1993 and 1997 and spent a placement year working in Hertfordshire and London.
On completing my degree, I returned to Cheltenham where I met my wife, Victoria, and where we now raise our two children – Evie (full name Evelyn) and Fraser. Most weekends you will find Victoria and I supporting Evie & Fraser in their sporting endeavours – swimming, netball, football, rugby, cricket or tennis.
Away from advising clients I have, in the past, served as local chairperson for the Gloucestershire, Herefordshire & Worcestershire region of one of our financial services professional organisations, written regularly for several leading financial services publications and even appeared on a couple of episodes of BBC2’s ‘Working Lunch’. This was fun but it is safe to say, I did not have to subsequently look for an agent!
Professional Qualifications:
BA(Hons) in financial services
Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments
Member by Diploma of the Personal Finance Society
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Your favourite holiday?
We have had so many fun, family holidays but I would say Rome - where I proposed to Victoria by the Trevi Fountain. If she had said ‘no’ then none of the subsequent family holidays would have ever happened. It would also have been a long flight back for us both!
What was your first job?
I had a newspaper round and helped the milkman with his round at weekends and school holidays when I was about 11 or 12.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
A professional footballer for Newcastle United. Once reality dawned, I was resolute that I wanted to be an independent financial planner, like my late father.
Describe a perfect day
With Victoria and the children – a stroll around Newcastle city centre, up to St James’ Park to watch a Newcastle Utd win and then short walk into Chinatown on Stowell Street to eat in one of the many fabulous restaurants there.
Does your family have a family motto?
Not so much a motto, as a refrain that we regularly heard as children from our father -
“Toilet seat, toilet light, toilet door”! The seat was usually up, the light on and the door open!
Best thing you have ever spent money on?
The extensions and renovations on our home have given us and the children the space we all needed.
Money very well spent.
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What is one thing you will never do again?​
In a moment of weakness, I once agreed to abseil down Eagle Tower for charity – the tallest building in Cheltenham. I am not great with heights and although it was not as bad as I feared, it is something I have no wish to repeat!
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“Tom was very highly recommended to us and we love working with him. He is a highly professional, thoughtful and considerate adviser. We really value his advice but more importantly, his integrity and attention to detail. He is a real people person and his interest and understanding of our family all play an invaluable part in the excellent service he provides.”
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Mrs KM
Victoria is a highly skilled and experienced administrator who previously held a team leadership role with the University of Gloucestershire, where she gained a reputation for being someone who is proactive, helpful and ‘gets stuff done’. We consider ourselves very fortunate that Victoria is now able to assist with the administrative functions required for Fraser Evelyn Financial Planning.
Your favourite holiday?
We have been very lucky with beautiful holidays, including many with our best friends James and Nina and their gorgeous boys (our godsons). For sentimental reasons though it would have to be Hope Cove in Devon with my late parents, when the children were teeny. Watching Evie and Fraser play on the beach together and hold my parents’ hands to feed the animals at the farm we were staying at, are memories that will stay with me forever.
What was your first job?
When I was about 8, I was given the opportunity to look after a pony who was no longer wanted.
The trade-off was as I got older, I had to look after him and pay for his keep, so started washing-up in a pub at weekends aged around 11. I am not sure that would be allowed nowadays!
What was your favourite book as a child?
‘Astercote’ – I think the writing is stunning and my imagination went wild reading it both then and subsequently with our children. The classic ‘Charlotte’s Web’ is a close second and was made into a beautiful film.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I wanted to be in the police – the mounted division. Or fly around the world as an air stewardess before appreciating how hard they work and the struggles of jet lag!
Describe a perfect day?
Going on a family walk with our dog up to Leckhampton Hill, followed by a pub lunch with friends before finishing off with an evening at the theatre – preferably to see a ballet or opera.
Does your family have a family motto?
My father always said “be the best you can be’ and I say that to our children now.
Best thing you have ever spent money on?
Our gorgeous dog, Lottie. A friend who is a breeder accidentally registered Lottie at birth as male and the original family did not want her when the error was identified. The stars aligned for us with her, and she has been the best addition ever.
What is one thing you will never do again?
I ran the London Marathon in 2014 as a member of the Anthony Nolan Trust team. It was an incredible experience that I treasure, and I am very proud of both completing it and the money that friends and family helped us raise for this amazing charity. It was such a fabulous day that I fear if I ever tried to recreate it, it just wouldn’t be the same.
Oh, and I wouldn’t leave the lens cap on the video camera when my vertigo-suffering husband abseils down Eagle Tower – let’s just say this is regularly referenced in ‘discussions’!