Why I Believe Preparation Beats Prediction

“Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

When people ask me how I became a financial adviser, they’re often surprised when I tell them it started in the British Army.

Before working in financial services, I served with the First Battalion Grenadier Guards, including operational tours in Baghdad and Basra. Those experiences taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career, not just in finance, but in life.

One lesson stands above all others: Hope is not a strategy.

Before any operation, every detail was planned. We considered different scenarios, prepared for unexpected events and made sure everyone understood their role. No one expected everything to go exactly as planned, but having a clear strategy meant we could adapt when circumstances changed.