Behind the Business
What is your motto in business ? ‘ With you every step of the way ’
What three pieces of advice would you give someone looking to start their own business ? Be bold , don ’ t wait until circumstances force your hand , it may never happen . Surround yourself with positive mentors and professionals that have either been on the journey themselves or have advised others . Finally , focus your business on what you know and what you are passionate about .
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Job title :
Business name :
DAVID PEGLER
WEALTH MANAGER - PRINCIPAL
BRIGHTON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
What does your business do ? Brighton Capital Management is a boutique wealth management firm primarily looking after private individuals , entrepreneurs , families , trusts and charities . We provide a fully integrated service covering all the key areas of financial advice including financial planning ( tax , retirement and succession needs ), investment management , insurance , protection and fiduciary services . We like to say that we ‘ grow and protect ’ our clients ’ wealth .
Tell us how your business started ? My partners and I have been fortunate enough to have worked for some of the world ’ s most prestigious financial institutions . There were certainly benefits of working for such industry giants , however , it was tough to be told that your local business , despite being the fastest growing in the Group , would be re-located 40 miles up the road . The corporate world we then lived in , turning its back on opportunities in Brighton and the South Coast . It left a bad taste in our mouth but on the plus side pushed us into setting up our own business . Brighton Capital Management was the result , the company is now over 2 years old .
How many staff do you have ? Currently the team consists of three full-time partners and one parttime . Then we have one amazing Office Manager , who we simply couldn ’ t function without ( she runs the place ). More recently we have just recruited the fifth full-time member of the team who joins us in June . Another experienced ex-colleague who will assist with our growth plans . We are very fortunate to have all worked together for many years – we know our strengths and weaknesses and have each other ’ s backs . Most of all we enjoy working together – lots of hard work but also lots of fun and laughter .
What makes your business different from your competitors ? We want to keep to what we know best and that is increasingly working closely alongside local families , business owners and entrepreneurs , who typically have busy and sometimes quite complex lives and appreciate the value of a ‘ hands free solution ’ but one that warrants flexibility . Simply put we aim to provide very special treatment to a select number of clients and their families .
What is the biggest challenge facing start-ups in 2016 ? Probably fear on the unknown , whether it be confidence in yourself , escaping your current situation , how to compete with the larger and more established businesses or more topically , ‘ Brexit ’ concerns . However , generally it is a pretty good time to be an entrepreneur . Start-up funding is more abundant . Stories of successful startups make headlines on a daily basis . Technological innovation has opened the door to countless opportunities , and more free resources are available to prospective entrepreneurs than ever before .
Where do you see your business going in the next five or ten years ? We do not have any grand plans to grow to a very large team or indeed manage thousands , or even hundreds , of clients , although our proposition is continuingly adapting to cope with the more complex and busy lives of today .
What does the future hold for you personally ? I will be 50 next year but hope that my best years in business are yet to come . We have created something quite special and look forward to working with our clients , most who have become good friends , and their families for many years to come .
What do you do to relax ? Some may not consider it relaxing but I personally love to swim , cycle and run – one of those mad Ironman triathletes and ultrarunner types . I also enjoy some less strenuous activities such as the cinema , BBQs and spending time with my loved ones .
Who has been / is the most influential person in your life ? I have been fortunate to have a couple of key mentors that have positively challenged me over my working career to date , however I will have to say that it was my Mum & Dad for providing me with such a wonderful childhood and constant support on the ‘ rollercoaster ’ of life .
What is the most important piece of advice you ’ ve received and who was it from ? I learnt from my Dad never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing . A setback is never a bad experience , just another one of life ’ s lessons .
What is the biggest challenge your business faces ? In this increasingly digital world we constantly seek that magical balance of getting the very best out of technology yet not losing sight of the importance of the personal service , which will continue to drive our business and ultimately the client experience .
What do you need to be successful ? Above all energy and a positive mindset . Look to your passions and live purposefully .
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