Co-Owner Close Up: Joe Kelly
As part of the Client Management Team, Joe Kelly works closely with clients to support their wider financial planning and investment objectives, helping ensure portfolios remain aligned with both long-term goals and personal values. In this co-owner close-up, Joe shares how building strong client relationships and supporting thoughtful investing are central to his role, alongside discussing his passion for travel, music and spending time outdoors.
Tell us a bit about your role and the team you work within
Working within the Client Management Team my role is act as a point of contact between the firm and our clients. Working alongside Client Advisors and Managers to deliver good outcomes for clients.
What does your typical day involve?
My day typically involves supporting clients with their wider financial planning and investment objectives, whilst ensuring their portfolios remain aligned with both their long-term goals and personal values.
The most significant part of my role involves building and maintaining strong client relationships. I aim to support informed decision-making and build long-term trust and confidence by providing clarity and transparency.
No two days are exactly the same, which is something I particularly enjoy about the role.
How does this help clients (directly or indirectly)?
The role helps clients by providing them with confidence that their financial affairs are being managed in a considered and responsible way.
Directly, this means helping clients work towards their long-term financial objectives through tailored investment solutions and ongoing support delivering timely solutions to short term needs.
Indirectly, it also provides reassurance that their investments can reflect causes and values that are important to them, whether that relates to environmental sustainability, social responsibility or strong corporate governance.
How did you get into this career?
Whilst studying History and Economics at university, the question of what to do next after graduation was becoming increasingly prominent. At the time, I had planned to spend a year travelling before deciding on a long-term career path. However, those plans were ultimately disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic during my final year of study.
As the world gradually began to reopen, I decided to focus on building a career within client relationship management, an area that particularly appealed to me due to its combination of communication, problem-solving and relationship building. Following a short period working in consultancy, I transitioned into financial services, where I have since developed a strong interest in investment management and sustainable investing.
I now hold the Investment Advice Diploma and continue to build my knowledge and experience within the industry. I look forward to further developing my career through both continued professional qualifications and hands-on experience supporting clients with their long-term financial objectives.
What aspects do you most enjoy about working at Castlefield?
What appeals to me most is the ability to support clients in aligning their investments with their personal beliefs and long-term objectives. Ethical investing is becoming an increasingly important part of financial planning, and it is encouraging to see how investors are placing greater emphasis on responsible business practices, stewardship and long-term sustainability.
Being able to work for The Thoughtful Investor in an environment that reflects my own values around responsibility and positive impact makes my work especially fulfilling and motivating.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
Outside of work, I maintain a strong focus on balancing an active lifestyle with interests that allow me to unwind and recharge.
I particularly enjoy camping and hiking, as I find time spent outdoors both refreshing and grounding. It provides a valuable opportunity to step away from day-to-day pressures and appreciate a slower pace, often in some of the UK’s most scenic environments.
Football is also a long-standing interest of mine, both playing and following the game. It is an excellent way to stay active and engaged socially, whilst also keeping connected to something I have always enjoyed.
Music plays a significant role in my downtime, particularly attending live events and building my vinyl collection. I enjoy the process of discovering both new and classic records, and it offers a welcome contrast to my professional life.
Travel is another key interest, and I take every opportunity to explore new destinations and cultures. I am particularly drawn to places with historical significance, as I enjoy learning about the stories, heritage and events that have shaped different regions over time. Whether visiting historic cities, landmarks or museums, I find it adds a deeper dimension to travel and broadens my perspective alongside providing a welcome balance to work commitments.
Quick fire questions:
- Favourite book – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
- Favourite TV Show – Band Of Brothers or Futurama (depends on the mood!
- Favourite sport team – Liverpool FC
- Favourite music album - Boys Don’t Cry by The Cure
- Favourite movie – Indiana Jones The Last Crusade
- Favourite holiday destination – the unquestionably correct answer of Italy
- What would you choose an unlimited supply of in the office – Sparkling Water
- If you could have one superpower, what would it be – Time Travel
- If you were on mastermind, what would your specialist subject be – Early Modern European History
Written by Joe Kelly