About Us

Our story

Spectrum was set up in 2021 by Paul McFadyen and Nadeen Watson. The directors have worked together since 2009 and between them have over thirty years’ experience of helping people understand and make the most of their money.

Everyone at Spectrum shares an absolute passion for looking after their clients and “going the extra mile” for those who entrust the team to assist with their future plans.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with dust and sweat; who strives valiantly, who errs and may fall again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming.

Theodore Roosevelt

Our philosophy

Feedback tells us that clients aren’t just interested in our technical expertise. They take that for granted in a professional adviser. People also want to feel welcome. They want to be treated as individuals.

As a small business with a friendly approach and a “family feel”, we are well placed to know our clients intimately. We take enormous pride in the common sense, personal service provided by our team, and our clients tell us they really value this.

Sometimes a coffee (or even a wine) and a chat with the team, is more important than the formal discussions. In fact, sometimes our client meetings don’t progress from the sofa in reception to the meeting room.

We are independent financial planners, so we have no ties to any product or investment providers. Our only vested interests are in doing what is best for our clients.

Our expertise

The Spectrum Client Relationship Managers are the very core of the business. As well as keeping in regular contact with our clients, they manage the office and generally keep things running smoothly. Our dedicated team places our clients at the heart of everything they do.

We are a small team, but we work closely alongside an extensive network of external experts, who assist with various aspects of our business such as research, report writing, investment monitoring, IT and compliance. In short, we make sure we have the support of appropriate partners to ensure we can deliver the best service to our clients.

Our firm is based around taking the time to make sure we know our clients as individuals. We recognise and appreciate that each client has unique circumstances and each plan is tailored, based on these.

Our expertise lies in ensuring that our clients have enough money to do the things that they want to do, at the times that they want to do them.

Meet the team

Paul McFadyen

Managing Director

Paul has worked in financial services since 2004, following his graduation (with an MSci in chemistry!) from the University of Strathclyde. Although his time at Strathclyde was enjoyable, it also led him to realise he didn’t want to be a scientist.

Following increasingly senior roles with various insurance companies, Paul saw a natural career path in financial services and began his studies in this area. He has been an Independent Financial Adviser since 2009.

At that time, the industry was moving away from transactional product sales, towards ongoing relationships, long-term planning, higher qualifications and greater professionalism. Businesses that embraced this thrived, and Paul was heavily involved with one of these. He sat further exams while developing the service proposition, all the time thinking how he would like to be treated as a client.

Sometimes it takes a great deal of courage to come and speak with a financial planner for the first time. It’s important for us to realise this and make sure our clients are at ease.

We are here to work in partnership with our clients, not to sell them something. Once people realise this, any barriers come down; they’re reassured; they know that we are here to work with them, in their best interests.

Having worked with various companies throughout his career, Paul believes that our small business is well placed to really care, value, and make a difference to our clients. He is proud to have developed the Spectrum team, having the unique advantage of being designed around the client experience, from day one.

Paul takes enormous satisfaction from working with his clients and seeing their dreams become realities. In particular, he loves to present a plan that shows a comfortable ability to retire early.

Although an accredited pensions specialist, Paul’s main passions are for providing his clients with a first-class service, cutting through the jargon, and following through with everything he promises to do. He doesn’t underestimate the responsibilities that come with being a trusted adviser.

Paul is no stranger to the Scottish education system, having a wife who is a primary teacher as well as two school-age children. He likes to get out on his bike whenever he can, and he takes a lot of pride in completing DIY projects, despite an ever-growing list of jobs at home!

Nadeen Watson

Managing Director

Nadeen joined the profession in 2007, straight from university. This was right on the cusp of the global financial crisis and it shaped her first year in financial services. Having worked in administration initially, then moving to a paraplanning position, all whilst studying towards the relevant qualifications, this experience has given her a strong advantage. Nadeen enjoyed the various roles within the back office but client facing was always where she wanted to be. In 2010, she qualified as a financial planner.

Nadeen has a passion for client service and building lifelong client relationships is of the utmost importance to her.

Nadeen has had various positions with different sized organisations and she believes that a smaller firm can offer a more tailored, bespoke client service and experience. This remains the ethos of Spectrum Wealth Group.

Nadeen is married with a little girl and loves spending time with her family and friends. Nadeen and her family enjoy adventures and are looking forward to exploring the world. Nadeen is passionate about mental health and wellbeing.

Clients are entrusting us with their monies and often sharing their hopes and dreams for their family’s future, and so a relationship built with confidence is key to great financial planning.

Each client is unique, and some have had experience of financial advice, whilst others are coming to us for the first time. At Spectrum, we appreciate this and aim to make every client feel individual, valued and that they are working with a firm which really listens to what drives them.

By fully understanding our clients’ stories, we can help build a plan. Whilst these plans are based on the numbers, true financial planning is more about the opportunities that the numbers present.

Ryan Rogan

Technical Manager

Ryan joined the Financial Services profession straight from university, on completion of his honours degree in Finance, Investment and Risk. He has over 10 years’ experience as a paraplanner and recently obtained his Chartered Qualification.

Ryan enjoys the continual challenges of his technical role and the ever-learning environment it presents on a day-to-day basis. He provides direct technical support to the financial planners along with strategic product research and report writing functions to formulate and present bespoke advice to our clients.

Outside of work Ryan will be working on his newly set up property investment business, socialising with friends and family or trying to tire out his overly energetic labrador!

Derek Rush

Corporate Client Manager

Derek has worked in financial services for more than 20 years. He worked with various banks and pension companies, in pension administration and employee benefits roles, before moving to the financial advice sector. Derek has worked alongside Paul and Nadeen in various roles since 2014.

Derek thrives in his role as our Corporate Client Manager where he provides clients with pension and employee benefits support. He has developed long lasting relationships with our corporate clients and is eager to continue to develop the Spectrum corporate proposition.

In his spare time, Derek likes to spend time with his teenage son. He also attends football and enjoys cycling and walking.

Angela Vickers

Client Relationship Manager

Angela has over 25 years of Financial Services experience gained in administration. She has a strong customer service background and provides all aspects of support to Paul and Nadeen.

Angela particularly enjoys meeting clients and keeping them up to date. She takes pride in being part of the process of helping people achieve their own unique life goals.

Outside of work Angela enjoys time with her family and in particular her grandchildren who keep her on her toes – especially when it’s time to play hide and seek! She also enjoys her time off and has found that so far cruising is her favourite holiday, seeing as many countries as possible.

Alisha Wright

Client Relationship Manager

Alisha has worked in financial services since 2017, having joined the profession straight from school.

What Alisha enjoys most about her role is meeting and talking to clients, finding out more about people, their interests and their aspirations. She loves being involved in all aspects of the business.

Alisha also really enjoys being involved in planning our client events – Christmas being her favourite! The best part for Alisha is seeing it all come together and everyone enjoying themselves.

Away from the office, Alisha enjoys karate, dancing and spending time with friends and family. She loves travelling: With karate to compete, as well as for nice relaxing holidays, especially to Turkey.

Claire McGill

Business Assistant

Claire has vast experience in the banking sector and has worked in various roles within financial services.

Claire is the first point of contact for many of our clients and visitors. Within Spectrum, Claire enjoys meeting clients and helping plan our client events. She is also learning our processes within the office and provides invaluable assistance to the Directors and the wider team.

Out of work Claire likes to spend time with her family who keep her busy along with her various pets. Claire also enjoys holidays with friends and family; she equally enjoys ski holidays and beach holidays.