Martin Briggs is an Independent Financial Adviser and lives in Canton, Cardiff with his partner Francis and two cats called Tommy and Lucas.

THE LAST WORD

Who are you and what do you do?
I’ve worked in financial services for 25 years. For the last 17 I have been directly authorised by the Financial Services Authority as an Independent Financial Adviser. My focus is helping private clients achieve financial independence, so I have always aimed to build long term relationships. Associated with this is the advice I provide through employer’s pensions.

What do you like about Cardiff?
As a capital city there is always a wide range of things to do – opera, classical concerts, theatre, rock concerts. But it is also compact, so I can walk or cycle around to get anywhere. A short drive and you are on spectacular cliffs or looking down the valleys from the Brecon Beacons.

Where would you recommend for an unforgettable dining
experience in Cardiff?
The Happy Gathering, Ichiban and Patagonia. We go with family and friends and have had many unforgettable celebrations.

Last year we spent a lot of time in the Bay, and for the delicious food Bar Orient is hard to beat, though if it’s a sunny morning and coffee and cake appeal, sit outside at Café Rouge.

What is your favourite meal?
Dressed crab from Canales with watercress and pomegranate salad and olive bread (from Tesco) on a July Sunday afternoon, with friends in the back garden.

Favourite wine/drink?
I was diagnosed as diabetic last year and have found that insulin and alcohol don’t mix, so my drinking days are over; so I’ll go for jasmine tea.

Who would your ideal companion be (excluding your partner)?
I met this man at a party last year. He’s handsome, witty, charming, fabulously famous and fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. Unfortunately he already has a civil partner, so he’s not available. John Barrowman.

What do you do to relax?
Yoga, swim, step machine, practice my violin, paint, meditate, but best of all doze in the sun in the garden.

Favourite venue in Cardiff?
The Point in Mount Stuart Square. We had our civil partnership celebration there two years ago. It’s an old church but has a fantastic rock venue sound and light system, so we had it all.

What annual event in Cardiff is a must?
Our parties. Strictly invitation only!

Favourite music and why?
Both my iPods are full to overflowing, so a very difficult question. If I had to pick just one, it would be the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. I played the violin all through my schooldays when it was my favourite piece and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing three versions of it in the same evening at the Menuhin Competition final in St David’s Hall on 19 April this year.

What gadget would you not be without and why?
My internet connection. It makes it very easy to keep up to date with clients and their investments and policies. Even if I’m half way round the world.

IF you weren’t an IFA, what job would you be doing?
I’d be an artist and a publisher. I did an MA in Fine Art, part time, a few years ago and have published several books, but reached the conclusion I was a much better IFA than a painter.

Any lifelong ambition?
To be able to give up work at 55. Now I’m 57 I work a forty something hour week and thoroughly enjoy it, so I’m done with ambitions.

The most surprising thing that happened to you was…
Being in Phuket, Thailand at 11.20 am on 26 December 2004 and watching the Tsunami roll in with a silver Honda Civic surfing the big wave. It was a beautiful, hot sunny morning and I was having breakfast on the hotel patio. Fortunately the water stopped six inches below the steps and twelve inches in front of me. The Honda Civic was left leaning against a lamp post across the street.

I wish more people would take more notice of…
The people around them.

A phrase you use far too often…
“I like it!” I’ve amassed a large collection of paintings and artworks, and I don’t have anywhere near enough space to show them all, so they rotate between the house and the Big Yellow box on Penarth Road.

I’m very good at…
Knowing the rules and being meticulous with paperwork.

I’m very bad at…
Maintaining my equanimity, patience, and kindness with people who dither and can never make their mind up. Best to leave them alone, I’ve found.

My ideal night out would be…
Family, close friends, tapas in Bar One, with sunshine filtering through, WNO at their sparkling best, moonlight over the bay as we stroll back to the car.

In moments of weakness I…
Promise myself I’ll never spend so much or drink so much ever again. Well, the following morning, afterwards, I promise myself… and then the next time!

The best age to be is…
Now, in this moment. It lasts forever.

In a nutshell my philosophy is… Pay attention to what is happening around you.

Martin Briggs Financial Adviser 029 2064 0264

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