Steve Rowntree: Helping clients answer the big questions in life

Whether it’s planning for retirement, navigating inheritance, or simply asking, “Will I be OK?”, Steve’s approach is grounded in empathy, robust planning, and a genuine commitment to helping people live life with confidence.

When Steve left university in Edinburgh with a business degree and no clear career plan, he had no idea he’d end up becoming a highly qualified financial adviser. “I didn’t particularly enjoy university, and I didn’t have some grand plan,” he says. “But I was lucky enough to land a client services role in a small IFA firm, and something just clicked.”

Steve now works with clients to build financial plans that help them feel secure, confident, and, above all, in control. But it’s not just about the numbers.

“What really struck me early on was how deep the relationships were between advisers and clients,” he says. “It wasn’t just about managing money, it was about helping people live their best lives. That’s what inspired me.”

Steve describes himself as a “proper financial planning evangelist”, Someone who sees spreadsheets and strategy as tools, not the main event.

“Everything starts with listening. Not just asking about pensions or savings but asking lots of questions to find out what really matters to them. What do they want life to look like in 10, 20, 30 years?”

Once those conversations begin, Steve helps clients visualise the path ahead using detailed cash flow modelling – a financial planning process that predicts your financial future in different scenarios. “When you can show someone their future on a screen, in colour, it’s powerful. It gives them peace of mind and the confidence to make big decisions.”

Most of Steve’s clients are aged 50 and over, either approaching or already in retirement. And one of the biggest challenges they face isn’t necessarily financial, it’s psychological.

“People spend their entire working lives saving and accumulating. Then suddenly they’re expected to start spending that money. It’s a massive mental shift, one many people really struggle with, even when they’ve got more than enough.”

That’s where ongoing advice makes a real difference. “Some people just need that annual nudge, that permission almost, to enjoy their retirement. Having a plan they can revisit helps keep them on track.”

Steve offers an example of a client he recently helped realise her dream of retirement, “She was in her 60s, and felt totally overwhelmed and under pressure at work,” explains Steve.

“She assumed she had to keep going until she was 67, when her state pension and main work pension kicked in. So, we sat down and went through her savings. We discovered that she had three defined contribution pensions, five old defined benefit schemes, plus £100k in savings.”

By pulling together all the pieces, Steve built a clear, phased retirement plan that allowed her to stop working immediately if she chose, or keep going on her own terms.

“She’s now given herself a retirement age of 63, with the reassurance that she’ll have enough to live on for the rest of her life.”

Another powerful example of Steve’s ‘planning evangelism’ was navigating the sale of a business for a client who had inherited it from her late husband.

“My client felt like she had to keep running it to maintain her lifestyle,” Steve recalls. “But through modelling, we showed that with a reasonable sale value, she’d never need to work again.”

Clients often tell Steve they appreciate his honest, down-to-earth approach. “I try at all costs to avoid jargon,” he says. “There’s far too much of it in our industry. I want people to leave a meeting feeling clearer, not more confused.”

That clarity extends to handling the big, often emotional questions clients bring to the table:

• Will we be OK if one of us dies early?
• Will we run out of money?
• Can we afford to help our kids?
• What if the markets crash?

“These are the real worries people have,” Steve says. “The answer comes back to planning. If your plan is robust, if it works under stress, then you can stop worrying and start living.”

The financial planning landscape is evolving, and Steve is quick to respond to shifting legislation and client concerns. “Pension inheritance tax changes and rising tax pressures in general have made long-term planning more complex,” he says. “I’m spending more time running flexible, scenario-based plans that can adapt as the rules change.”

Technology has also made his service more accessible. “Post-pandemic, clients are more open to video calls, so we can catch up quickly, flexibly, and more frequently if needed. It’s a real positive.”

Outside of work, Steve is just as disciplined, though in a very different way. He’s a dedicated runner, strength-trainer, and family man. “I’ve got two young daughters, 6 and 8, so I spend as much time with them as I can. But I also believe fitness improves performance at work. Running clears my head.”

In fact, he’s no stranger to extreme endurance: he’s run a sub-3-hour marathon and even won an ultra-marathon. “That was a proud moment,” he says with a smile. “But honestly, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing a client take a deep breath and say, ‘Okay, now I know I’m going to be alright.’”

What truly sets Steve apart is how he brings each person’s financial future to life in a way that’s accessible, reassuring, and genuinely helpful.

“I’m not here to sell products,” he says. “I’m here to build relationships. When someone invites you into their life, their goals, their fears, their plans for their family, that’s a privilege.”

Read Steve’s article about how to turn redundancy in your 50s into a fresh start.