Get to know Lifespan

At the heart of it, I really wanted more security for my family. I was also keen to have greater control over my destiny, and I saw a real opportunity to capitalise on my strong relationships with accountants and my connections in the investment research space. Back in the early 90s, there was a strong appetite amongst accountants to become financial advisers, and I saw a growth opportunity in this space.

My earliest memory of the business was probably in its first year or two. I remember helping to put together the first compliance manuals. My first actual job at Lifespan was in 1999, in my gap year, before starting university. It was a family affair. My uncles John and Caesar worked there, along with many others. After finishing university and travelling the world, I returned to Lifespan, working across the business in compliance and business development roles, before becoming CEO in 2015.

I am most proud of our relationship with our advisers. Some of those who joined us during our first few years are still with us, which is incredible.

John: Well... no one can deny that working with family is genuinely stressful! However, thankfully, even though we all have strong personalities, we accommodate each other's opinions! We do listen to each other, and we make sure that we enjoy ourselves.

Eugene: Dad and my values are always aligned. We can disagree, but our strategic direction is almost always in sync. We approach things differently, and bring different perspectives, as do many of the Lifespan team. As a family, we challenge each other in ways only family can!