Tristan Simmonds

Director | Head of IT
Trainee Wealth Manager / Financial Adviser

Tristan is currently finishing his A Levels in Business Studies, Media Studies & Art. He has been working with us part-time for the past 12 months and enjoyed a very successful full-time work experience placement with us in the Spring of 2024. Tristan has decided for himself that he prefers not to go on to University to study for a degree, and would prefer instead to throw himself into a career. Tristan’s thought process is, in his own words, that he would much prefer to train for a professional career as soon as possible and build up savings of £60,000+ over these next 3 years, rather than going to University to be surrounded by potentially detrimental goings on, and then leave in 3 years-time with –(£60,000) of personal debt with student fees etc.

Like most youngsters, Tristan is an absolute whizz with IT and computers in general.  He is adept at coding and all manner of things, and if we have an IT issue, he usually solves it within a few minutes.  Tristan is a semi-professional gamer, and has a large following when streaming.  He has been invited by well-known gaming groups to join them and play for them in significant gaming tournaments with large financial prizes. He is well-known to the gaming community.

Aside from the obvious benefit of his natural IT skills, Tristan has agreed, upon completion of his A Levels, to join the firm full time. With this in mind, we have introduced him to the position of Board Director where he can sit in and learn from an early stage. His full-time position will be Head of IT and Trainee Wealth Manager & Financial Adviser, when he will begin his professional examinations in financial services. We are very proud of the young and vibrant team we are putting together here, which blends so well with our ‘more mature’ and very experienced advisers.

Tristan’s 2-year training contract with us will be made up of four six-month seats where he will immerse himself with all aspects of our business.

• First 6-months will be with the Administration and Compliance team
  • This will include Tristan studying the CISI “UK Regulation & Professional Integrity” syllabus
• Second 6-months will be with the Financial Planning & Wealth Management team
  • This will include Tristan studying the CISI “Financial Planning & Advice” syllabus
• Third 6-months will be with the Business Development and Marketing team
  • This will include Tristan studying the CISI “Investment Risk & Taxation” syllabus
• Fourth and final 6-month seat will be with the Investment & Research Analyst team
  • This will include Tristan studying the CISI “Securities” syllabus

By the end of Tristan’s third full year with us, instead of leaving University with a degree and (£60,000) of student debt, – Tristan will be a professionally qualified financial planner, wealth manager and investment portfolio manager, with hands on experience of attending and contributing to board meetings with a good oversight and understanding of all aspects of what is required to run and grow a successful business within the strict framework of a heavily regulated professional industry.

Outside or work and studies, Tristan enjoys driving his cars and riding his motorcycles, and of course gaming.  He is a keen golfer, an accomplished skier, he loves playing basketball, is a grade 4 drummer and he enjoys the arts, culture and music.  Tristan purchased his first property 2 months ago, and so has a keen understanding of responsibility.

Email: Tristan@private-office.co.uk