After more than 35 years in the financial services profession we can announce that the time for Richard to retire has been agreed.

He has decided to swap his calculator and virtual risk spreadsheet for some gardening, philately and perhaps even some singing. After all, now he’s living back in Wales it was only a matter of time before he joined a choir. He has also threatened to take up bowls, perhaps even learn to speak Welsh and to spend time exploring more of the beautiful British Isles.

Richard started out on his financial services journey way back in 1979 (after 10 years working as a buyer in the steel industry) at a time of great economic and political turmoil. In spite of this, Richard quickly found his feet and became a successful adviser with Abbey Life. After 8 years he decided it was time to go “independent” and he joined Medical & Professional in Cardiff in 1987. It seems that when Richard changed jobs turmoil is never far away. He recalls the events of first few weeks at Medical & Professional: “I started on Monday 12th October, the following week was Black Monday. The market dropped 10%. It fell another 12% the following day. Things were pretty hectic in those first few weeks”.

Despite this roller coaster ride Richard remained at Medical & Professional until 1998. He had decided it was time to branch out to be his own boss and Richard Witcombe Financial Advisory Services was born. Since then there’s been lots of developments: from sole trader to partnership to limited company. Regulators have come and and gone – he’s outlasted a host of regulators including the Personal Investment Authority (PIA) and its successor the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Even the company name has changed. But now it’s time for him to plan to step away, start winding down and to begin thinking about enjoying his retirement.

In August he took the first step when he started working part time. Then at the end of October Richard stepped down from his role as a director of Proposito Financial Planning. In the meantime we’ve been hard at it, planning and preparing for life without Richard. But don’t worry he’s not going just yet. He plans to remain with us at least until the end of 2015.

We will be writing to all his clients soon. We’re just putting the finishing touches to the plan. As soon as it’s been finalised we’ll update everyone as to what is going to happen next.