Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Matthew Spencer, Evelyn Partners

Date: 11 Dec 2024

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Matthew Spencer, Consultant at Evelyn Partners.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I’m not sure I’ve had a typical day since I started. I’m an early bird and typically I like to be at my desk by 07:20. I find that meetings over breakfast are a great way meet with intermediaries at a time that doesn’t interfere with their day so normally I’ll squeeze one or two of those during the week. As I’m new to Evelyn, there are lots of brilliant new colleagues and my super team to meet and get to know. So most of my time at the moment is currently meeting and learning from them. I generally try to wrap up by 18:00 in the office but often have events in the evening.

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Many of our B2B clients are still grappling with Consumer Duty and how to serve their clients. Luckily Evelyn offers some amazing insights to help people on their journey,

What is your proudest professional achievement?

What a question, there have been so many. Probably when I was promoted onto my first executive team in 2007. I left school when I was 17, worked as messenger on the Stock Exchange, became a dealer and then found my love of wealth management. It’s been an industry which has constantly evolved and given me so much. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many brilliant people. So many moments to be proud of but nothing quite like reaching the top rung of the ladder having started off on the bottom one.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

Listen, learn, consider, act (if necessary)

Who do you most admire and why?

Alan Hughes, the former CEO of First Direct. Together with his team he created an amazing culture which focused on Client Experience long before it was a ‘thing’

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

I’m writing this from our office in Leeds. I’m having a bit of a tour as I get to know people around our business. I’m an advocate of meeting people in person where that’s appropriate and possible. For pleasure it was a visit to the lovely Limewood Hotel in the New Forest – a guest experience off the charts!

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I love spending time outside in the countryside so it would have to be something connected to that. It does wonders for my mental health and allows for some free thinking time.

How do you relax after a long day?

That really depends on how kind South West Railways have been but typically I like to go for a walk to help me decompress.