Kyle McGill: From teaching to banking to financial adviser

A Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, Kyle’s journey into financial services hasn’t been a straight line.

Kyle started his career as a music teacher, working with children who were not in mainstream education, and also teaching adults.

“It was a rewarding experience” explains Kyle, “but I always felt that I wanted to help people on a different level. I’ve always been good with numbers, and that, combined with my desire to work in a client-facing role, led me to the financial services industry.”

Kyle’s first foray into finance was as a cashier in a local bank before quickly progressing to private banking, specifically managing personal banking and trust accounts for high-net-worth clients.

“It was in private banking where I really found my niche,” he explains. “I enjoyed the relationship management side of the role, but I also wanted to do more than just manage wealth. I wanted to help clients secure their financial goals and future security.”

This desire for a more holistic approach to financial well-being led Kyle to become an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). “As an IFA, I get to work with clients on a 360-degree view of their financial lives. It’s not just about their wealth – it’s about their entire financial well-being, including their family, business, and future.”

“For me, becoming an IFA was about being able to offer truly personalised advice,” Kyle says. “I wanted to look at my clients’ entire financial picture, not just one aspect of it. My background in private banking gave me the skills and knowledge to work with high-net-worth individuals and business owners, and I realised that I could offer them more value by addressing both their business and personal financial needs.”

Kyle’s expertise lies in tax planning, with a particular prowess for helping business owners maximise profit extraction, manage their allowances, and plan for their families’ futures – including their children and grandchildren.

“It’s important to consider the whole individual and their wider family when putting a financial plan in place,” he notes.

To learn more about how Kyle collaborates with business owners to develop holistic financial plans that encompass all aspects of their lives, check out the article: Start-up to Exit Strategy: Financial planning for business owners.

Kyle’s approach to financial planning starts with building trust. He takes the time to understand his clients personally, ensuring they feel comfortable and confident with his guidance. This strong foundation is key to ensuring clients stick to the plan long-term.

“I love getting to know my clients, understanding their stories, and working with them to create solutions that make a real difference in their lives,” he says.

He listens carefully to his clients’ goals – whether it’s planning for retirement, securing their family’s future, or maximising investments. This is followed by a thorough analysis of their financial situation, identifying opportunities and challenges, which allows Kyle to create tailored strategies that align with their long-term aspirations.

Kyle then discusses the relevant options with them. This dialogue help his clients understand the reasoning for, and against, different routes – and enables Kyle to explain the thinking behind his recommendations.

“Every client is different, and I get to collaborate with an expert team here at Amber River East Anglia to find the best strategies for each unique situation. Whilst the ownership for the plan lies with me, I value input from my team.”

Finally, Kyle develops a personalised plan and works with his clients over the long term, adjusting as needed. Kyle believes financial planning is an ongoing partnership, dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals.

Kyle is animated when he talks about the impact he’s been able to make in his clients’ lives.

“One memorable case that stands out involves a client who was deeply concerned about securing the future care of his daughter, who requires long-term support. Although he had substantial wealth, his primary focus was on ensuring her well-being after he was no longer able to provide for her.

“I took the time to understand his concerns and priorities, and together, we explored various options. Ultimately, the best approach was to establish a trust with professional trustees, guaranteeing his daughter’s care for life. This not only addressed his worries but also initiated a process to reduce his estate’s inheritance tax by £80,000, ensuring more of his wealth would go to his daughter, rather than the government. More importantly, it means he has peace of mind that there is a nest egg that’s professionally managed for his daughter’s future, come what may.”

Kyle reveals that one of the most common questions people want to know is: “When can I retire?”

“Retirement is a major life event, and people want to know when they can stop working and still live comfortably. For most clients, it’s not about retiring tomorrow, but knowing they can retire at a particular point, and perhaps a touch earlier than they expect.”

Other frequent concerns include ensuring their families are looked after, if they were to die prematurely, and reducing their tax liabilities, particularly around inheritance tax.

“These are the big questions, and my role is to provide clear, actionable advice that helps them achieve their goals.”

The past few years have been particularly challenging for investors, with market fluctuations and shifting government policies causing uncertainty. Kyle’s strategy is all about building flexibility into his clients’ financial plans, ensuring they can weather the ups and downs with confidence.

“Markets will always go up and down—that’s outside of my control,” Kyle explains. “But what I can do is manage my clients’ risk effectively and make sure their plans are resilient to change. It’s also about helping clients understand why certain events happen, which often provides comfort during uncertain times.”

Rather than reacting to speculation, Kyle advises his clients to wait until policies are confirmed before making any adjustments. For example, many of his clients have been concerned about potential tax increases under new government proposals.

“We wait until changes are official before making any moves. I don’t build plans on hope – the key is to have a strategy that can adapt as needed,” he emphasises.

In addition to managing market volatility, Kyle also helps his clients navigate the financial challenges posed by rising costs of living. He has also found that some clients need a little encouragement to enjoy their money – especially in uncertain times.

“With higher interest rates and bills increasing, people are far more conscious of when and how they spend their money. My job often involves rebalancing their financial plans and helping them adapt to new circumstances.

“But I often remind my clients that they’ll enjoy another holiday far more than just earning a little more interest. It’s about finding the right balance and keeping their long-term goals in view, even when circumstances change.”

“My holistic approach is what really sets me apart,” Kyle says confidently. “I take the time to understand my clients’ lives, not just their finances. I’ve been an educator, a private banker, and now an IFA, so I bring a broad range of skills and experience to the table.”

Kyle also embraces new technologies, such as cashflow modelling, to help clients visualise their financial future.

“It’s important that my clients fully understand the strategies we’re implementing, and technology plays a big role in making that possible. It helps bring to life what things might look like in 20, 30 or even 50 years’ time.”

When he’s not helping clients navigate their financial futures, Kyle is busy being a dad to his 14-month-old son, Euan.

“He takes up a lot of my time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, he’s growing up so quickly and little things like getting back home for bathtime is a big thing for me. Being an IFA at Amber River gives me the flexibility to be there for him and not miss out on any important milestones. “

Kyle is also deeply involved in his community. As a trustee for the Billericay Round Table, he helps raise funds for local causes.

“Our biggest event is the annual fireworks display, which attracts 15,000 people and raises over £75,000 each year for community projects. It’s something I’m really proud of.”

Aside from his family and charity work, Kyle’s other big achievement is his Chartered Financial Planner status and becoming a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

“It’s one of the highest professional accolades in our industry, and it represents the commitment I’ve made to continually improving my skills and knowledge for the benefit of my clients.”

And he’s not stopping there – Kyle is about to embark on a Master level qualification in Financial Planning.

“I’m always learning, always striving to be better. It’s how I ensure my clients get the best possible advice and service.”