I admit when Stephen Eckett of Harriman House first emailed me asking me to consider writing a book on finance, I thought it might be a wind-up, something that some of my colleagues have been very good at doing in the past. But in talking to Steve I soon realised he was deadly serious. His argument was that there was very little written about DIY investing that was any good, and if anyone could fill that gap, he thought it would be me. Well, I agree about the first part at least. There is a gap…
When I mentioned Steve’s idea to Ian Gorham, the chief executive of Hargreaves Lansdown, he responded very positively and after that the die was cast. Ian’s unfailing support for the book also helped me at those times when I thought about giving up on the whole project. I admit to having been slow off the mark. I am used to writing short pieces of just a few hundred words. I write a column for the Independent newspaper every Saturday, but that is seldom longer than 600 words. A book is a very different animal, needing a thought-out structure as well as good content. So I am indebted to Jonathan Davis who came in to assist me, interpret my ramblings and put them into much better English. Both he and Steve Eckett have the patience of Job.
I need to go back in time as well, because this book could never have been written if Kean Seager had not offered me that first job at the front door of my mother’s house. I will always be grateful for that first opportunity – something every young person needs to help them on the career ladder. His encouragement and advice in my early career was invaluable.
Some very special thanks need to go to Peter Hargreaves and Stephen Lansdown for the incredible support I have had at Hargreaves Lansdown. It was Peter who first rang me out of the blue in 1998 suggesting we had a chat and proposing I come to help him with fund selection and PR. Accepting the job at HL was undoubtedly the best decision I have ever made (with apologies to my wife). It has also given me the most fun of my working life. As Peter likes to say, you spend a third of your life asleep, a third at home and a third at work. If you can get the last two right, you have reached Nirvana.
While Stephen has stepped away from the business I still see him for a chat now and then and Peter as a major shareholder is still involved in the business, despite standing down as a director. Hargreaves Lansdown has an open-floor policy. There are no special offices for directors and Peter and I have always worked within a few yards of each other. We have never known each other’s extension number. We just shout across a row of desks, often to the annoyance of my colleagues.
I am lucky to work with a fantastic team of 14 research and PR professionals whose talents and hard work I happily acknowledge. There are too many to mention by name, but suffice it to say they are all far brighter than me. I give a special mention to Lee Gardhouse, who manages HL’s multi-manager funds. I knew him before joining Hargreaves Lansdown as a young whippersnapper and it has been a pleasure to watch him grow in stature and experience ever since. He has become an invaluable sounding board for my investment decisions, both personal and professional. Every DIY investor needs a Lee Gardhouse.
Finally I owe a huge thank-you to my wife Annette, whose unfailing support kept me going, especially through the hard times. When I was despondent at times, or if stock markets had taken a big tumble, her words should be remembered by all investors: “Stop worrying. You know it will all bounce back eventually. Just be patient.” Very wise words.