Former NatWest director’s new lease of life thanks to Warrington firm

Former NatWest director Dave Richardson, who worked for the company for 36 years, swapped the demanding corporate world for retirement at just 55 years old.

In 2019, Dave suffered a life-changing fall where he sustained a bleed on his brain, resulting in an induced coma.

Now, thanks to Stockton Heath based Blithe House Financial Management, he has traded his intense career for a slower paced lifestyle.

At just 54, the fall was a catalyst for change, and Dave began to re-evaluate his life, thinking about his family and wanting to spend more time with them and benefit from his pension.

Having originally hoped to retire at 60 years old, Dave, from Liverpool, now sees things differently.

He felt as though he had literally been brought back to life by Walton Neurology Centre at Aintree Hospital.

Dave has been given a new lease of life

Turning to Warrington financial advisory company Blithe House, Dave was able to retire at 55, living off his pension and the gains from his smart financial investments.

Director Jonathan Causey worked closely with Dave, taking into account his values, as well as keeping his needs, objectives and attitude to risk at the forefront when it came to providing advice or decision making.

Dave explained: “Going through such a trauma really does shift your perspective on life. I had always worked incredibly hard at NatWest, and equally, they never let me down.

“But when I suffered the fall and went into a coma, I recovered and came out the other side knowing that I wanted to change my life.

“I wanted to prioritise my family and spend more time with them, as well as help them benefit from my pension fund.

“I know that I am so fortunate to have been able to leave my job as a director at NatWest and trade the pressurised, intense corporate environment to one where I am free to spend my time however I like.

“I didn’t really trust financial advisors, but I felt that Jonathan was not like others, and that he was different.

Dave and colleagues meet then-Prince Charles during his time at NatWest

“The advice he provides has always been the best for me, and always with my best interests at heart.

“I had the benefit of a redundancy package, so I did not need my pension immediately, and Jonathan helped guide me to ensure that I maximised the return on my fund, while bearing in mind my attitude to risk which was essential.

“I’m now able to live as I hoped to thanks to Jonathan and the Blithe House team, and I am so glad I used such an astute advisor who genuinely cared about me and my goals.”

Jonathan added: “When it comes to advising clients, myself and the team want to gain a deep understanding of their current financial situation and their needs, objectives and goals.

“That way, we can put effective strategies into place, in relation to their attitude to risk, to ensure that we reach them.

“Dave had worked incredibly hard and for such a long period of time with his company, and after such a life-changing incident, his outlook had changed.

“Rather than retiring later, he wanted to bring everything forward, and I am so glad that he came to us and delighted that we were able to help him now live the life that he wants to.”