For Carl, financial planning is more than a career move. It is the culmination of years of personal lessons in money management, risk-taking and resilience.

“I feel like I’ve made all the mistakes, so my clients don’t have to,” he explains. “From property investments in the financial crisis, to early experiences with cryptocurrency, I’ve lived through the ups and downs of financial decision-making. That gives me empathy for clients who might be facing uncertainty or risk in their own lives.”

The turning point came with the birth of his daughter. Wanting to provide stability for his family, Carl began exploring the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, deepening his knowledge of investing and long-term planning. At the same time, he recognised his strongest skill from military service — interpersonal connection.

“I didn’t want to sit in the background of a big bank. I wanted personal relationships with clients, to sit across the table from them and help them plan their futures.”

Serving Veterans & Injured Clients

Carl’s lived experience shapes the way he now works with clients — particularly veterans and those with injuries.

“People in the military are natural risk-takers. I know that instinct because I’ve had it myself,” he says. “My role is often to help them pause, take a step back, and consider a longer-term plan. And for those leaving service, sometimes through medical discharge, I understand how quickly that can feel isolating. Having someone they can trust, who understands that world, makes a difference.”

Although Carl himself left service without injury, he witnessed the impact of catastrophic injuries on colleagues and friends. Later in his career, he managed teams of 90 people, helping them through life events ranging from divorce to terminal illness in their families “That’s taught me to listen, to adapt, and to explain complex decisions clearly. Those skills are exactly what I believe clients need from a financial planner.”

At Centurion, Carl will be part of the firm’s Personal Injury and Court of Protection team, which works closely with law firms to support clients who receive compensation settlements. His focus will include building specialist services for injured military veterans.

“Making wealthy people wealthier isn’t what excites me,” he adds. “I want to do meaningful work that improves lives.”

Centurion’s Specialist Team focus

For Chris, Carl’s arrival is both timely and strategic.

“Carl’s passion for supporting veterans came through strongly at interview,” Chris explains. “We’d been exploring how to expand our personal injury and Court of Protection work into the veteran space, but none of us had the lived experience of military service. Carl completes that picture.”

Chris believes there remains a gap in the financial services profession when it comes to specialist support for injured veterans and other vulnerable clients.

“We speak to law firms and support organisations all the time. They tell us they’re surprised that more advisers aren’t doing this work. Independence is critical here — these individuals need advice that is purely in their best interests, not driven by products or commissions.”

The wider economic climate only sharpens the need for expertise, Chris adds. With large damages settlements — such as those from the infected blood inquiry — clients often are unlikely to receive any more capital and running out of cash means compromising their care and standard of living.

“That money needs to be managed carefully from day one. Early losses can be devastating, and many claimants need to draw an income almost immediately. Our role is to put robust strategies in place, budget realistically, and plan for future care needs. That’s where independence and specialist knowledge really count.”

Building for the Future

Centurion has seen a surge in enquiries since launching its specialist teams earlier this year, particularly from law firms seeking expert partners for their clients. Chris says the firm is continuing to expand, with new advisers joining across its Cardiff and South Wales offices and young planners progressing through to qualification.

“We’re building teams around niches rather than creating generalists,” he says. “That’s what makes us different. With Carl on board, we can now offer something truly unique to military veterans and the law firms who support them.”

For Carl, the move to Centurion is both a new career and a continuation of service.

“The Royal Marines taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of trust. Now I get to use those same values to help clients — especially those facing uncertainty — build secure futures. That’s what excites me about this next chapter.”

Armed Forces Covenant

Centurion Chartered Financial Planners is proud to support hose who have served our nation in the Armed Forces. Our specialist teams have joined The Armed Forces Covenant -  a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly – and is working with the Covenant to gain an extended statement of our commitment to the community.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to collaboratively acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, including the bereaved, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives.

Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

You can read about the Covenant in depth here.

Support & Contact Details

Read more about Carl and find his contact details here.

To contact Chris Hill, Director, Chartered Financial Planner & Head of Advisory, click here.

Meet our specialist Court of Protection & Personal Injury Team here.