IFSDG: How long have you worked
in Murphy
Wealth?
Neil: Just over 5 years, since
August 2014
IFSDG: How many people work at
Murphy Wealth?
Neil: 15
IFSDG: What is the vision for
Murphy Wealth in Glasgow?
Neil: Growth. We want to invest in our future
so that we can attract the best talent and be drivers of change in
the industry.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for
you?
Neil: Typically, I like to be in the office
early, as it allows me to check emails, keep up to speed with the
news that may impact on clients and plan my day ahead. The
remainder of my day is spent either in client meetings or working
with the client managers who support me to deliver financial plans
for clients. Most of my time is client facing; however, over
and above that, I have time allocated to management
responsibilities and working with the rest of the Board to see how
we move our business forward.
IFSDG: Why did Murphy
Wealth choose to locate in the IFSD in
Glasgow?
Neil: It's the hub of growth and the place to
be as we pride Glasgow as an entrepreneurial society. It is
therefore a prime location where we can support business
owners.
IFSDG: Three good things about working in
Glasgow?
Neil:
The people - Glasgow is a hard-working place and I love
the work ethic that exists in the city.
Innovation - Glasgow has always been a place that is prepared to
try new things, and this is something we have embraced at MW, as we
are determined to be at the forefront of moving the financial
services industry forward.
Willingness to change - Glasgow has changed so much in the past
30 years. Having worked 27 years, the city doesn't look anything
like it did back in the day and it's great!
IFSDG: What is your biggest business
achievement to date?
Neil: There is a huge focus on lifestyle
financial planning. We are moving away from the traditional model
of advising, and slowly towards lifestyle planning. By doing this,
we are taking our first steps in not only shaping the industry, but
it is allowing us to have much deeper conversations with clients to
understand what they want to achieve in life. Their stories are my
biggest achievements because the work we have done lets us
see some life-changing results in their lives, that not even they
thought could be possible.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you
ever made?
Neil: The office, the team, the investment into
innovation and technology…all in the last year! These are all
pieces in the jigsaw, allowing us to make the steps forward in our
growth plan and collaborate with organisations we wouldn't normally
get to work with, including Business Women Scotland and MND
Scotland.
IFSDG: Which businessperson or company
do you most admire and why?
Neil: Simon Sinek, as a business inspiration
and author. He has changed the way that leaders and companies think
about their purpose, their leadership and how they can build
sustainable culture. Sustainability is key when you are thinking
about growth and all these factors play a huge part in that. Till
this day, we still use Sinek's concept to think about 'our
why'.
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you
were a child?
Neil: That is an easy question…when I was a
child, I was desperate to play centre half for Rangers. I
still am desperate to do it, however, at 44 and with dodgy knees, I
may have to accept that the call from Ibrox may never come…but I
will keep my phone on just in case.
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away
from the office?
Neil: Most of my time away from the office
revolves around my two daughters. My older daughter Caitlyn
(10) is a keen swimmer and swims for East Kilbride Swim Team and my
younger daughter Eilidh, is a gymnast with East Kilbride Gymnastics
Club. They are both part of a dance club too! So, if I am not
at swimming galas, gymnastic displays or dance shows, I enjoy
playing golf or going out for meals with my wife, Yvonne.
IFSDG: I-Phone or Android?
Neil: I-phone
IFSDG: Favourite band?
Neil: Stuck in the eighties so Bruce
Springsteen for me!
IFSDG: Favourite sport?
Neil: Golf
IFSDG: Favourite movie?
Neil: Saving Private Ryan
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Neil: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what three
words sum you up?
Neil: Ambitious, sociable and dedicated.