A clever wit once said that ‘education is wasted on the young’. The same person might have said that ‘the road to fame and fortune is paved with good intention’ and in my case I ticked both boxes. I was accepted into Art College, Music College and London University but soon discovered my road to stardom ended with an overdraft and a bollocking from my bank manager.

Endsleigh Insurance soon found me and as a graduate trainee said I could become a Financial Advisor. I had something to prove and armed with ‘The Success System That Never Fails’ by W. Clement Stone, became one of their top producers.

That wasn’t enough, so I sought out the most successful Financial Adviser in the UK at that time Frank Weisenger. I rang him whilst standing on my desk and asked him what was his success story and amazingly he told me, it was the best investment I ever made.

Armed with ‘knowledge is power’ I set up Abacus Assurance in September 1982. Interest rates were 10% the economy was in tatters and rather like the bumble bee I set out to fly. The rest is history as they say.

I am Pippa Vaughan-Avery, a Financial Adviser at Abacus and have been working here for 15 years!

Educated to degree level I qualified form Cardiff University with a degree in Aesthetics & Philosophy. A few years later I decided that financial planning was the creative challenge I needed and decided to follow in my father’s footsteps here at Abacus. I started out selling home insurance, progressing as a Mortgage Advisor and passed my Diploma a few years later. I am currently working towards chartered status.

One of my greatest achievements are my four beautiful children. I love my job as it gives me the flexibility to juggle work and family life!

I love to garden and grow my own! When I’m not working, I enjoy family time with my wonderful husband and kids. I love horse riding and enjoy watching my horse mad daughters follow in my footsteps.

I find financial planning very satisfying and enjoy the problem-solving side of things. I take great pleasure in helping other families achieve their goals whether it be funding school fees, saving for retirement or estate planning.

I have worked for Abacus Assurance for over 6 years and thoroughly enjoy the challenge of being part of a small yet very busy and successful financial advisory firm. I currently head up the mortgage, equity release and life protection department but also have a great affinity for building bespoke investment portfolios and love the research side of things.

Outside of work, apart from my three children and darling wife my biggest passion is trying to master the illusive game of golf. I even have a launch monitor and golf net in the back garden which my wife adores. Abacus Assurance sponsors the boys U13’s Porthcawl United football team which one of my sons plays for and I love watching their games on the weekend.

The best part about being a financial adviser is the challenge of helping our clients realise their goals in the most efficient way possible, problem solving and taking the stress out of making tough decisions.

I am Head of Administration at this highly successful firm, and I enjoy administering the fund management for our many Clients.