What was your career ambition when you were growing up?

This question is difficult to answer since I was never the type of person who knew what they were destined to do at a young age.   The closest I came was after watching the movie Top Gun, when I felt sure I would become the best fighter pilot in US Navy history.

While that may not have been in the cards for me, I was driven to pursue a career that would allow me to both help people and leave the world a little bit better than it was when I came into it.  I have been fortunate that the rest of the pieces fell into place on my path to becoming an advisor, where I feel I am able to accomplish both of those objectives through my work.

What brought you to the UK?

Who brought me to the UK would be more accurate… While I am a dual US/UK citizen and spent time studying in London during university, it was ultimately my wife’s career that brought us to live in the UK for several years.  It was also her career that brought us back to the US in 2018, shortly after which I opened Tanagers first US location in Philadelphia.

What do you miss most about the UK?

This might shock many of my London based colleagues, but I miss the tube and the  transit system.  It might not be perfect but compared to Philadelphia, it feels like a first-class experience!  Honourable mentions would be the British summers and many wonderful pubs in London.

What is your favourite thing about living in the US?

Contrary to my previous answer, I also love having a car and the freedom of the open road.  Especially in the Northeast, there are so many wonderful cities and places to see within a few hours’ drive of my home. In non-pandemic circumstances, my wife and I are always planning our next weekend getaway.

NFL or Premiership?

NFL.  Fly Eagles Fly.

What is the biggest issue affecting mixed Anglo-American families living in the US?

The issues I see here are often very different from what we see on the UK side of our business since the UK does not tax non-resident citizens (unless they have UK-source income), unlike the US.  The most common and frustrating issue we help people navigate is managing UK pensions as a US resident.  The UK pension system was not built with non-UK residents in mind.  I could fill pages with all of the issues we have seen.

What is it you most enjoy about helping Anglo-American households?

Being a dual US/UK citizen myself and having gone through the expatriate experience with my wife, I connect with my clients on a very personal level.  As a result, I may be guilty of using the phrase “I eat my own cooking” one too many times on client calls but it’s true.  At the end of the day, I find it fulfilling to be able to use my own experiences and knowledge to help people navigate the complex issues that come with a trans-Atlantic lifestyle.

How has the pandemic affected your work and the clients you serve?

I work with people all over the world, so remote work and building relationships virtually has been the norm even prior to the pandemic. That being said, I do like to travel and connect with clients whenever I am able.  Now that things are trending in the right direction (knock on wood) I look forward to traveling again and meeting clients in person.

Tell me about someone who has inspired you and why?

Nims Purja, the Nepalese mountaineer who is credited with climbing all 14 eight-thousanders (mountain peaks above 8,000 metres) in a record time of six months and six days.  This may seem odd, especially since I have never climbed a mountain myself, but after watching the documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, I was floored by his story and am still inspired by his approach to life.  If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

What’s the last book you read?

Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Beatles or Beach Boys?

The Beatles!