In the spotlight: Thomas Harvey

You may have noticed recently that J Edward Sellars has a fresh new look, as well as a brand-new website.

While we may look a little different, we’re still the same dedicated team working behind the scenes to help you achieve your financial goals.

Now and then, we like to put one of our team members in the spotlight and share some interesting insights into their lives.

This time, we caught up with our head of investments, Thomas Harvey. Keep reading to find out about his journey into financial services, what he loves about J Edward Sellars, and his past life as a nightclub DJ.

What is your role at J Edward Sellars?

As head of investments, I lead our team of advisers, coaching, supporting, and helping them to deliver the best possible advice and client experience.

Sitting on our investment committee, which meets daily to review market movements, I play an active role in shaping our investment approach.

I support our clients with financial advice in a range of areas, from reviewing their pensions to identifying suitable protection for their families.

What is your career background?

Having worked in financial services for 20 years, I’ve supported a wide range of clients to plan for their future and make confident financial decisions – from young families to those planning for retirement.

In my younger years, I was a DJ in nightclubs, playing dance music!

What do you love about your role?

For me, the best part of the job is building long-term relationships with clients. I enjoy learning about what matters most to them, hearing their stories, and generally getting to know my clients.

I love being part of their journey as their plans take shape over the years and seeing the positive impact financial planning often has on their lives.

Of course, I also enjoy working with the team here at J Edward Sellars. It’s great to work alongside people who genuinely care about what we do.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

It will be alright in the end; if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.

This can be so helpful to remember, and it applies to a huge range of areas of our lives – including financial planning.

What’s the most rewarding part of your role at J Edward Sellars?

The fact that what I do genuinely makes a difference. Working in a nimble business means you can see the direct impact of your efforts on the firm, on the team, and on clients’ lives.

That connection between the work and the outcome is something I think would be hard to find in a larger organisation, and it’s something I don’t take for granted.

What do you think sets J Edward Sellars apart from other financial planners?

Ultimately, it comes down to the people and the way we work with clients. Good financial planning is built on relationships, and the team here genuinely cares about getting it right for each person we work with. That’s not something you can manufacture. Either it’s there or it isn’t, and at J Edward Sellars, I think it really is.

What do you like to do outside work?

When I’m not working, I’m usually spending time with my wife and daughter and meeting up with friends and family.

Exercise is my main way of unwinding, whether that’s at the gym or cycling. I also enjoy golf and walking. Besides that, I love cooking for family and friends and am an avid reader.

Quick-fire questions

What new skill would you love to learn? I’d like to learn to play the keyboard or piano. My daughter is taking lessons, so hopefully she’ll be able to show me a thing or two in the future.

What’s your pet peeve? People not doing what they say they will. It sounds simple, but so much of life, professional and personal, runs on the assumption that if someone commits to something, they follow through. When that doesn’t happen, it erodes trust quickly, and trust is not easy to rebuild. I try to hold myself to the same standard.

Which three people would be at your dream dinner party? Louis Theroux, Sean Lock, and Warren Buffett. It’s quite a table. Theroux would ask the questions no one else would think to ask; Sean Lock would make sure no one took themselves too seriously; and Buffett has spent decades making the complex feel straightforward. I suspect the conversation would go on well into the night.

What are you most looking forward to in the next six months? Honestly, I’m not someone who tends to fixate on one thing on the horizon. I find there’s more to be said for showing up and making the most of what each month brings. That said, I’m looking forward to seeing how things develop at J Edward Sellars, both for the business and for our clients.

What’s your favourite film? Apocalypto. It’s probably not the answer people expect, but it’s the film I’ve come back to more than any other. Mel Gibson made something genuinely gripping, a story told almost entirely without dialogue that pulls you in from the first scene and doesn’t let go. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth an evening of your time.

Keep an eye out for our next spotlight feature so you can discover more about the team behind the scenes at J Edward Sellars.

Get in touch

If you’re looking for support in achieving your financial goals, get in touch with our friendly team. Email enquiries@jesellars.co.uk or call 01934 875 919 to find out more about how we can help you.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.

The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.