Expansion for financial planning firm

Derby financial advisors Aristotle Financial Planning, which was set up just weeks after last year’s Covid lockdown, has appointed its first member of staff.

James Wallis, founder, described the appointment of Gemma Bailey as a significant step in growing his company, which he launched in April last year.

Gemma has joined Aristotle as its client support technician in order to handle much of the day-to-day business administration required for dealing with the firm’s clients, which mainly consist of families whose members are approaching retirement age or who run their own businesses.

James, who had 10 years’ experience as an independent and chartered financial planner before setting up Aristotle, said: “Taking on an employee feels like a really big step bearing in mind it’s only been me up to now, but I am very happy to welcome Gemma to Aristotle Financial Planning.

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“Gemma has many years’ experience in the financial industry and her previous role was as a paraplanner, so she is more than capable of giving me the long overdue assistance that we need with the day-to-day tasks so that I can focus on growing the business.

“Setting up a company during a pandemic was a challenge and I’m very pleased to be able to make my first of what I hope will be many more appointments just before the end of my first year in business.”

Gemma added: “I’m really excited to have joined Aristotle Financial Planning. The values of the company, James’ approach to financial planning, along with his vision for the future are what made this role so appealing. I’m looking forward to working for James as he continues to develop his business.”

James has already made a big impact in the city since launching his business, having also established his own podcast, and agreed to donate a proportion of his profits to Derbyshire charity me&dee, which raises money to send families who are living with devastating and terminal illnesses on holidays or short breaks.

In choosing his company name he took inspiration from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed in the need for simplicity when passing on information, James founded his company because he saw a need for a financial advice service that its straightforward and personable.

He now has clients all across Derbyshire and further afield and also holds free drop-in sessions at local firms and councils to offer staff advice on pensions, investments and reducing debt.