5QI, Simon Davis, CEO, Guardian Financial Services
1.What was the first record/CD/download you can remember buying?
My first record was the single "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC - I wasn't particularly a heavy rocker, but had just got myself my first proper stereo system and wanted something loud to play on it to annoy my parents. And it was loud!
2.What is your biggest pet hate about the world of financial services?
In some respects, it's our own arrogance that we think we know best - we fall into the trap of believing that we have all the answers and just don't listen enough to the needs of the adviser community and their customers.
3.What is your favourite film, and why?
"The Great Escape" with Steve McQueen. I loved watching all the war films when I was younger, but for me The Great Escape is an all-time classic - it is a great action movie, with a great storyline. I just love watching it.
4.If you could pick any job in the world to do, what would you choose?
I enjoy working with my hands, I enjoy working with wood, so I'd probably be a carpenter and make furniture or something like that. It is satisfying when you produce something that you can see, touch and use.
5.If you could change one thing overnight about the protection industry, what would it be?
That's a very good question - and particularly relevant given what we are trying to do. I want to try and make it easier for advisers and better for customers. It’s actually a combination of factors rather than any one thing that will make the difference. A bit like British Cycling - the aggregation of marginal gains in all aspects leads to better outcomes. That is exactly what we are trying to do - focus on making many improvements across the spectrum, and in so doing, give the customers better outcomes and make life easier for advisers.
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