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Talented, proficient and extraordinary. His precisely calculated advice, crafted through years of experience, has consistently translated wholly positive results for the many clients under his guidance. A man personifying the meaning of holistic excellence, Spire Group’s Senior Relationship Manager David Francis (RNF no: DFX100061940) grew up harbouring a constant desire to always do more.
Before his current career in financial advisory, David was a part of various financial institutions around the world. Upon completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics and Economics at the London Metropolitan University, David’s first foray into the financial sector was as a young forex trader with the brokerage and investment bank, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Following an illustrious career with various financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, The World Bank, Allied Dunbar and E*Trade, David was headhunted by a small expat financial advisory firm to explore opportunities available in Singapore. Always daring and adventurous to charter a path down roads less travelled, he entered Singapore in 2007 with an open mind seeking a fresh international journey. After several years with the expat firm, David joined the Spire Group at its inception in 2015 and has, since then, been a foundational pillar for the agency’s continuous growth.
Q: What excites you most about working as a financial advisor?
A: From a young age, I have always enjoyed helping people become better and I found that through financial advisory, I can continue doing what I enjoyed. A few months ago, I helped one of my clients restructure her finances and establish proper life goals. She was, thus, able to retire early and has been enjoying post-retirement life in comfort. Being able to help my clients make a proper financial plan brings me immense satisfaction as I know I am positively impacting their lives; now, or in their future.
Q: Could you describe your experience thus far as a key member of Spire Group?
A: The Spire Group has been a place where I can wholeheartedly express my thoughts and find support for discussions and clarification. Financial advisory, due to its individualistic nature, can prove to be quite a lonely experience. Fortunately, being a part of Spire Group has helped me meet some truly incredible individuals I love to call my friends.
Q: What are the most challenging experiences you face as a financial advisor? How have you managed to work past it?
A: The financial sector is a constantly evolving industry. With products and businesses entering and exiting the market expeditiously, it is a daunting place to build a secure career. It is, at times, unimaginably tough to constantly push out above average results. However, after 30 years of experience, I can wholeheartedly say that tough times never last, but tough people do. Now, whenever I face setbacks, I tell myself to keep trudging forward and if I do come across an insurmountable boulder, to not be afraid and ask for help to push it out of the way.
Q: Who are your most important supporters? How significant of a role have they played in the success of your career thus far?
A: My family plays an integral part. My wife has been unimaginably supportive through all the ups and downs and I will always be indebted to her. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to form a core group of clients that have helped spread my name around. This has helped me meet more clients, grow my base and develop deeper business relationships with them.
A man of many interests and even more knowledge, David holds a vested interest in current affairs, politics and creative writing. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoys watching football, and athletics and is a long-time fan of Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton. Above all, David enjoys the serenity that music brings to his mind and body. A fan of rap, reggae, R&B and jazz, his current listening interest is the jazz legend, Miles Davis.
A career in financial advisory might not be for everyone, but proper financial planning should be. With his decades of experience helping people maximise the principle of generating wealth through capital instead of income, it is without dispute that he has played a key role in educating financial literacy around the world. Thank you for all your contributions, David!