Want to know what makes the AFWM Ltd team tick? In this feature we shine the spotlight on a different member of our talented team, here we speak to Financial Adviser, Rob Coote.
What did you do before joining AFWM Ltd?
I joined AFWM Ltd in June 2017 and before that I was playing professional rugby for the Cornish Pirates. Prior to that I played for the Exeter Chiefs while attending the University of Exeter. At age 23, when I had the option to continue rugby with the Cornish Pirates or start a career in finance in a year’s time, I decided on the latter as it provided a great opportunity to travel. I travelled to Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines before returning home to start my career.
Describe your typical working day
I’m a financial adviser and, as we are independent and the landscape is constantly changing, I spend a lot of time trying to determine the optimal mix of different products for my clients based on their objectives. I spend a lot of time out and about seeing clients at their homes, mainly in Cornwall and Devon.
What do you like most about your job?
There are two parts to this really. The first of which is the initial two to three appointments with clients where we meet, build a strong relationship and highlight the financial planning opportunities available to them – which normally come as a surprise! The second is catching up with existing clients at our regular reviews before getting into the actual planning element.
Past achievements
Obtaining my degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from the University of Exeter and completing my Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (whilst in full-time work) stick out in terms of my academic achievements. I am also very proud of my rugby career – I won the World University Rugby 7s Championship with Great Britain and have also played first-team rugby for both the England Students and Exeter Chiefs.
If you could do any other job for just one day, what would it be?
I would like to experience being a chef in one of the world’s top restaurants. I love the teamwork, communication and ability to work under pressure displayed in the kitchen.
Top three favourite books or podcasts
Freakonomics – I really like how authors Levitt and Dubner provide an alternate view by looking into the numbers with a different approach.
Under the Dome – this book provides an interesting insight into what would happen if an unbreakable dome was dropped over a small town and how society would react.
The Lessons of History – a really interesting read that helped me to understand the way the world works.
What do you like best about where you live?
The people. All of my family and friends are close by and the Cornish are a great bunch.
Best bit of advice you’ve ever been given
The best bit of advice I have had was from my mum: never ignore your instincts.
What’s on your bucket list?
To eat at the number one restaurant in the world. The list is always changing from year to year and I imagine it is almost impossible to get a reservation at the top spot, but it is definitely something I’d love to do. I’d also really like to go to the Super Bowl, I think that would be an unbelievable experience, and I’d love to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and look out over Africa. I would of course have to follow this up with a relaxing safari in Tanzania to recover from the climb!
If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
This is a very tough question as my favourite non-living item is our bed, but if the house was burning down it would be slightly impractical to save. I think I would go for my kitchen knives.
What three famous people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?
It would be hard to look any further than Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix – they always look like they’re having a great time.
