This week as part of our regular UP CLOSE WITH in Kingston feature, we caught up with Jason Lurie from local financial planning firm Holland Hahn & Wills.

Jason, who studied at Kingston College and the University of Surrey, has been a partner with the Hampton Wick based practice since 2003.

The father-of-two lives in Weybridge, is a keen member of the Surbiton Golf and has also travelled the world - something he talks about more in our interview below.

You may have seen Jason's informative blog posts on our site, which discuss and explain some of the key concepts in financial planning. Watch out for more this month!

Kingston Nub News: Hi Jason. Let's start with a simple one - why did you decide to become a financial planner?

Jason: "I started on June 21st, 1983, as a summer job selling pensions, savings plans, and life insurance.

"At the time I thought it was a good idea to learn the salesman's art – however, it took me a long time to succeed, and in my stubbornness to learn, I discovered that helping others with their financial problems was enjoyable and rewarding, both financially and personally."

What is your typical working day like?

Jason: "Having been in business for so many years means that I am blessed with lovely clients and a superb team, who do most of the 'heavy lifting' for me.

"I like to start early and finish work by 4pm most days. Because I am part of the old guard at HHW, I mostly look after well-established long-standing clients, as well as dealing with new clients referred to me by personal introduction."

Why should people use financial planning services such as Holland Hahn & Wills?

Jason: "Have you ever wondered why jobs are termed 'work'? It's because it's unlikely that we would do it unless we were paid.

"Receiving a great financial planning service helps you establish what age you can afford to quit work and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"There are so many unknowns to deal with, and for our clients the relief of knowing that a trusted professional is looking after their needs is very reassuring, as well as saving them time worrying, and more time enjoying the rewards their hard work has obtained."

The average life expectancy in the UK has increased by 7 years since 1980. Has this changed how you advise your clients, and if so how?

Jason: "Not really, when we do a financial plan, these typically run to age 100.

"One big change in the last decade is the order of spending assets to fund retirement.

"Because of changes to pension legislation, it is potentially possible to pass on unused pensions to children without inheritance tax obligations, so for clients with additional resources this can mean spending traditional investments such as investment portfolios and ISAs before their pensions."

How did the pandemic affect your work as a financial planner? Did you see a big change in what customers wanted?

Jason: "We were very fortunate in that, other than working remotely, and holding our client meetings 'virtually', we were unaffected by Covid 19.

"I think the biggest change is the bringing forward of retirement plans amongst older clients, especially when faced with a return to a long and cramped daily commute."

What do you like about your job?

Jason: "What I have always loved about my job is helping people. It's great fun, and lovely to see the release of worry and tension when clients receive peace of mind, from an honest adviser.

"I've known a good deal of my clients for many years, in quite a few cases since before they had kids, and now their kids are grown adults themselves.

"I never forget that I am in a privileged position, and I feel fortunate that all those years ago, I stumbled upon what I now consider to be a great profession."

Kingston and Surbiton just won a few Time & Leisure food & culture awards. How often do you go to the area? Are there any particular restaurants/venues/clubs you enjoy and would recommend?

Jason: "As our office is just across Kingston bridge, most days I stroll into Kingston for lunch, usually from one of the stalls in the market square (I love Asian food, especially noodles) or to buy supermarket food to take back to the office.

"I don't often venture out at night, as my 16-year-old son still expects some dinner occasionally, but my favourite place is undoubtedly The French Table, on Maple Road in Surbiton. Eric and Sarah Guignard are wonderful hosts and great chefs!"

I see that you attended Kingston College, tell me about your time there? Are you still in touch with any people you met while studying?

Jason: "I went to KCFE from age 16 – 18 (1976 to 1978) to study A-levels. I found it a great growing up experience; I worked every Saturday at Bentalls, clearing tables in their diner and used my earnings to buy albums and cassettes to feed my music habit.

"I am still in touch with only one great friend from those days. For me, 6th form college was a good stepping-stone between being a schoolchild and attending university."

You're keen on travel - where's the best place you've been, and why? (Best can be interpreted however you like!)

Jason: "Impossible to answer, my first job was sales, and they held an annual convention for the top salespeople, so I have been lucky enough to visit many weird and wonderful places over the years.

"During my time at university, I spent a fantastic sandwich-year living/working in Australia and it was wonderful.

"The last major vacation I had was in Cambodia and Vietnam, fabulous places, people, and of course food to die for!

"One of my most enjoyable holidays with my children, as a single parent, was a trip cycling around Lake Ijssel in Holland, from a boat.

"Every day the boat would start from a different place and pick us up in the late afternoon from a new location.

"It was a real holiday for me (no cooking or cleaning), my children played with other kids from the small group on the boat and had lots of fun.

"We finished with a day cycle in Amsterdam and a night out to remember!"

Holland Hahn & Wills are sponsors of Kingston Nub News.

Without support from local community-minded businesses like them we would not be able to provide the dedicated local news we do every week.

Find out more on their website at www.hhw-uk.com/