Chocks away for chartered accountant

Malmesbury-based Richard Witcombe Financial Advisory Services has this week appointed former squadron leader Michael Tunstall to its growing team of financial experts.

After completing 18 years of service in the RAF, Mike completed his last day as a serving officer on the June 30 and stepped straight into his new financial services role the following day.

Mike, who lives in Hullavington, has joined the local family run advisory firm as a trainee financial planner.

Mike started his working life as a customer services officer for Lloyds Bank in the late 1980’s before joining the RAF in 1992.

In preparation for his change in career Mike has spent the last 18 months gaining a wealth of financial services qualifications at a rate of one exam every two months.

Mike’s most recent success came last month when he passed the first of four exams required to become a chartered financial planner.

“I have been very lucky to have the support of the RAF during this period of transition”, said Mike.

“The help provided in the form of learning grants and study time has been invaluable in helping me kick start my new career”.

Whilst in the RAF Mike served as both an air traffic controller and operations officer, serving at several locations in the United Kingdom as well as overseas in the Falkland Islands, Qatar and most recently Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.

However he highlights his humanitarian tour to the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003 as his most memorable and rewarding challenge.

“I was part of a European coalition, with responsibility for coordinating the mercy missions to the people of the Bunya which was one of the worst effected regions” said Mike.

“We were using two Hercules aircraft deployed from RAF Lyneham, and we really felt we were making a difference for the local population.”

Having completed three tours at RAF Lyneham, the last of which was as chief of staff of the Hercules Force Headquarters in May 2008, Mike and his family have decided to settle in the local area, as Mike embarks on his new career in financial services.

“We are delighted to have Mike on board” said senior partner Huw Jones. “He brings with him a wealth of experience gained during his service in the RAF and combined with his financial services knowledge he will be a great asset to the team”

Richard Witcombe Financial Advisory Services was created in 1998 by father and son team – Richard Witcombe and Huw Jones.

Originally based in South Wales, the company relocated to Wiltshire in 2006 and has continued to establish itself as a forward thinking independent company offering straightforward, high-quality, professional investment planning advice.

The company work with individuals, trustees and small business owners across Wales and the South West, offering a full range of services on a transparent fee paying basis, including wealth management, business and family protection, retirement and estate planning

For further details of Richard Witcombe Financial Advisory Services go to www.rw-fas.co.uk or call 0845 345 3536