Kingston Nub News aims to support our community promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We aim to showcase some of these businesses, organisations and interesting individuals regularly in a feature called 'Up Close'.

Today we caught up with Gunpreet Singh, a Kingston resident who is currently studying for a Masters in Accounting & Finance at Kingston University whilst undertaking a placement at local business, Holland Hahn & Wills.

Read on for Gunpreet's story and his decision to enter the world of finance.

Holland Hahn & Will's latest recruit, Gunpreet Singh

Holland Hahn & Wills (HH&W's) has been providing financial advice to residents in and around the borough of Kingston for over 30 years. Specialising in retirement, the local firm help to formulate retirement packages for their clients dependent on their circumstances.

Their hands-on approach has been vital to the business's longevity and decorated reputation they have built within the borough.

Eager to learn the secret to the firm's success is budding financial planner, Gunpreet Singh, who has joined the team at their office on Old Bridge Street as he completes his Masters in Accounting & Finance at Kingston University.

Born and raised in Punjab, India, a career in finance was a no brainer for Gunpreet with his grandad a banker, his father a successful businessman and his Aunt a chartered financial planner.

Securing his Bachelor of Commerce cemented his ambitions of becoming a chartered financial planner and so the budding student headed to London to take the next step of his financial journey.

When queried on why becoming a financial planner particularly appealed to him, Gunpreet replied: "Entering the world of finance has always appealed to me, but I want to enter it in a way where I feel rewarded in my line of work and where I can visibly see the positive impact I am making.

"Once I become a chartered financial planner I will be able to directly help clients effectively manage their finances to ensure they are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle and enjoy doing the things that matter most to them, it's a real motivation for me."

Since joining HH&W's in August, Gunpreet has been working as a client service administrator which entails reviewing packs that are sent to the firm's clients. Updating them on existing arrangements and policies as well as ensuring the general needs of clients are being met.

The Kingston University student stressed how he has loved being able to get a sense of the career he wishes to enter full time, and HH&W's have been key to him finding the experience so rewarding.

He added: "Everyone has been super friendly from day one, I have never for a second felt like the odd one out or the new guy, it has been very easy for me to adapt because of the supportive environment here.

"They are incredibly knowledgeable, and I genuinely learn something new every day which is great for my personal development, however from the client perspective, just by speaking to a few, I have already become aware in under two months just how taken aback they are by Holland Hahn & Wills' service and the focus on transparency and accommodating approach."

Gunpreet's jam-packed week entails him working from 9-12 in his client administrator role at HH&W's and then attending lectures from 1-4 Monday to Friday at Kingston University.

After moving into Kingston as of last month, the master's student enjoys spending his down time by the riverside and is a strong Manchester United fan as well as a music enthusiast.

March 2023 will see Gunpreet commence his full-time placement year at HH&W's alongside his exams which will lead to him becoming a chartered financial planner, something he is raring to get going with.

The team at Kingston Nub News wishes Gunpreet the very best of luck!

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: https://www.hhw-uk.com/