Elaine McLachlan

Director, Private Clients

Elaine joined 7IM in 2021 and brought over 30 years of investment experience. Having started her career in fund management, Elaine has spent the past 20 years building relationships with a wide variety of private clients as their trusted adviser to help them achieve their financial goals.

7 Questions with Elaine

1. How did you get into wealth management?

I studied Economics at University and began my career in fund management as a Trainee Investment Analyst and progressed to Fund Manager.

2. What’s the biggest highlight of your career in wealth management?

Moving into Private Client work and setting up an office from scratch with no existing clients, and seeing it grow every year and developing the careers of an increasing team.

3. What do you find most rewarding about managing people’s wealth?

Getting to know my clients and building up a relationship with them and seeing the financial benefits to them of our advice and help to organise their finances and achieve their goals.

4. What’s the worst non-financial investment you’ve made?

There have definitely been weeks when I have not fully benefitted from gym membership.

5. If you could pick one financial habit for everyone to have, what would it be?

Start making pension contributions as soon as you start work and start earning.

6. What are the most important skills in a wealth manager?

To be able to build up a relationship, explain complex subjects without using jargon, enable them to ask questions, be available and approachable, and to understand and solve their financial problems.

7. How important is it for individuals to adopt a long-term view of their finances?

It is easy to get caught up in day-to-day life, so long-term planning is essential.
It’s extremely important for individuals and families to assess and plan their financial goals, not only to ensure they have the peace of mind of a successful plan, but also to ensure those plans are met.