The financial services director on his favourite suit, golf and life in Matfield
Tell us a bit about you.
I’m a director of a financial services business in Kings Hill specialising in pensions and investment advice. Our clients are mainly Kent based, traditionally being the best people to work with!
I have two boys in their teens, which is always interesting. I love travelling, having spent time in the Far East, although Italy has a special place in my heart. The culture and the food is just so appealing. Io adoro!
I’d like to get to Cuba this year before it’s opened up to the Americans and you can’t move for McDonalds. The old Cuban style and way of life appears to be one to see now as soon it will be gone for ever.
I play golf as often as I can, which is not that often, mainly West Malling Golf Club and Nizels in Sevenoaks. I try and play in Spain once a year with a group of friends; the added element of competition never fails to motivate. I’ve just got back from a week in Marbella with seven friends where I came second. My football allegiance is with Tottenham. I have supported Spurs for many years and have had a rollercoaster of emotions. I am sure there are easier teams to follow, but it would be boring!
What are you wearing?
I’m wearing a suit that was hand made for me in Vietnam. The quality of the materials and the workmanship is exceptional and having it properly tailored to fit me is great.
Having chosen all the fabrics and colours it makes me feel comfortable and confident. I don’t tend to wear ties and have found over the years that clients have no issues with this, many favouring the more relaxed style. This is a typical work look for me.
My civvies are pretty simple with jeans and a decent polo shirt my mainstay. I do have a couple of nice jackets from All Saints in Tunbridge Wells, which I’ll wear when I’m trying to be more formal or grown up!
Where do you live?
I live in Matfield, just outside Tunbridge Wells. I moved here three years ago and have settled into the village well. There are three pubs, which have eased the transition. The Poet in Matfield is such a good local, they have a great selection of gins and know exactly how to serve each one. They held a Gin Festival last summer which was great fun and very well attended. The restaurant is excellent too.
Matfield seems to be the centre of the universe for me as I can easily get to the towns I visit the most without having too many traffic issues, even Tunbridge Wells, if you know the back roads.
Kent has everything you could want. Great towns and villages, superb pubs and restaurants, a decent lifestyle for families. We go to France once or twice a year and Le Shuttle just down the road is very handy.
Where do you like to shop?
If I’m looking for clothes then I’ll either go to Bluewater or Tunbridge Wells. Fenwick in Tunbridge Wells caters well for me with the many designer concessions. All Saints and Paul Smith tend to be solid favourites, although my loyalties for polo shirts are far weaker, choosing style and colour over designer names. I do also like French Connection and some of the more boutique style shops on the High Street. I buy my work shirts from T M Lewin. They do this great range of slim fit, non-iron shirts with a double cuff. They’re fantastic and perfect for someone who simply cannot iron.
When it comes to grooming I use Fargs in Tunbridge Wells. Steve is a great barber and always has an interesting story to tell. n
