Former professional snooker player Paul Wykes has joined national IFA partnership Continuum.
The 55 year old turned pro in 1991 but retired from the game in 2007.
He has since gained 18 years of specialist pension advice knowledge, most recently at SFIA Wealth Management, part of Amber River, where he spent 11 years.
Other former roles in his advice career include adviser roles at Wesleyan Financial Services and three years at Independence Assured. His clients are based across Dorset and the surrounding areas.
Mr Wykes won 210 of his 369 professional snooker matches, remaining in the world’s top 64 for 13 years. He twice reached the final qualifying round of the World Championship, and enjoyed victories over top players such as Paul Hunter, Joe Johnson, Neal Foulds and Willie Thorne during his career.
In 1999 he reached the last 16 of the UK Championship in his home town, Bournemouth.
Mr Wykes said he continues to draw on many of the skills developed during his sporting career. He said: “Even though it is a sport, as a snooker player you are still a business owner and building your own personal brand.”
He said he chose to join Continuum because of the strength and simplicity of the support offered to advisers. “Continuum is a company that an adviser can feel confident wants you to thrive and grow your own business. You never feel like you are going out there alone.
“Those worries that you always have at the back of your mind as an adviser, you know the back office team, paraplanners and compliance team have them taken care of.”
Jim Reeve, interim managing partner at Continuum, said: “Paul’s specialist pensions knowledge, experience as a professional sportsman, and client-first approach make him a fantastic addition to our growing adviser community and we are excited to support him as he continues to build his business.”