James Hildreth who retired at the end of the summer after playing cricket for Somerset for the last 20 years is ready for the next challenge in his life and is just about to launch his own financial advice business.

Hildy who is 38 years old explained how this has all come about.

“For the last few years I have spent my winters working with Arbuthnot Latham a private banking business based in Exeter who have got strong links to Somerset, which I have enjoyed very much, so decided that is something I wanted to pursue when I finished playing cricket.

“Over the past few years I have completed my finance exams and gained the qualifications needed to become a financial adviser. Since the season ended I have been undertaking an intense training programme with St James’ Place, which gives me the skills to go out and start my own business in financial management.

Somerset County Gazette:

“This starts on December 8th, which is when I can begin to help clients. To begin, I will be working from home and then plan to have my own office space by the end of next year. Most of my work initially will involve seeing clients in their homes or where they feel most comfortable.”

“This is a whole new challenge to me and I am really motivated about it. I have loved playing cricket for 20 years but this new business is equally as exciting. I will still be around and about at Somerset CCC and this new business marries up well with that - I will be helping people but in a different way.

“I have always wanted to help people and cricket coaching wasn’t quite for me. However finance, and the psychological well-being and security aspects of it, plays such a massive part in our lives. So this brings those two things together. 

“This career provides me with a new challenge outside of cricket, but I am still building relationships with people, which is what I wanted to do.

This is a whole new chapter in my life opening up on the 8th. So the plan is starting the business before Christmas spend some quality time with the family over Christmas and then it will be head down and looking to start the New Year strongly.”

However, Hildy hasn’t quite said goodbye to his playing days.

“I will still be playing cricket at the weekends for Stony Stratford CC  which is where my Dad played and where I started all those years ago.”

To find out more about James Hildreth and Hildreth Financial Management email james.hildreth@sjpp.co.uk or call James on 07545124480