Alan Lazenby - Managing Director, Lazenby’s Financial Services Ltd, is the latest regional professional in the hot seat as the p.ublished group of newspapers gives him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

1. What does a typical working day for you involve?

No two days are alike, which keeps things fresh. I might kick off with a team huddle to review client cases, then drive out for lunch with an investment fund manager. Afternoons could see me meeting a client for their annual review—whether at the office, their home, or over video. I wrap up most days at home, chatting through the day’s business with my wife and co-director, Dee, over tea. Variety’s the spice of it all.

2. What makes your company special?

Being a small family firm sets us apart. We’ve got the freedom to give clients our full attention and tailor our time to their needs—something big firms struggle to match. While we’ve got a core investment strategy, it’s shaped quarterly by our whole advice team alongside an external fund manager. This lets us tap into niches like precious metals mining stocks, which have been a standout lately. Clients know our team by name, not as faceless voices on a call, and that personal touch—plus our independent thinking—shines through in how we invest. Big firms just can’t replicate that flexibility.

3. Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

Absolutely—longevity is non-negotiable. We’re handling people’s life savings, and they need to trust we’ll be here for decades. That means running a prudent ship: no risky debt, no overreaching. We manage income and costs tightly, only growing when we’re sure our regular revenue can sustain it—not banking on new business to plug gaps. It’s about safeguarding our team’s livelihoods and our clients’ futures, even through a downturn. Fiduciary duty isn’t just a buzzword—it’s our bedrock.

4. Do you dress up or down for work?

Always up. Clients expect a professional look from a financial advice firm, and we deliver—smart business attire every day, tie or no tie. Some firms go casual with rolled-up sleeves, but that’s not me, and I reckon our clients wouldn’t buy it either. We stick to sharp and polished, even when entertaining.

5. What piece of advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

“Stop fretting—today’s the tomorrow you’re stewing over.” I’d tell myself to ditch the pointless worrying about things I can’t control or that rarely happen. Life’s too short for that noise.

6. What’s your favourite Yorkshire venue for an event or team away day?

Rudding Park Hotel, hands down. It’s a gem in our industry and hosts the annual Glitter Ball for Martin House Children’s Hospice—a charity we’ve backed for years. Fantastic venue, top-notch food, and brilliant staff make it a winner.

7. How do you prefer to travel for business?

Driving’s my go-to. It suits the job—hotels, client homes—and as a tall chap, I need the legroom. I’ve just swapped my trusty Volvo S90 for a Polestar 4, equally comfy and safe. Cruising Yorkshire’s backroads with a podcast on is hard to beat.

8. What’s your favourite place in Yorkshire to relax?

The riverbank in Boston Spa. Walking the dogs there with Dee, then grabbing a coffee in town, is pure bliss. The gurgling water and tree-lined paths melt the day away.

9. Where is your favourite place to eat in Yorkshire, and what dish do you recommend?

Tough call, but it’s a toss-up between Trattoria and L’Aquila in Boston Spa—both so popular you’ve got to book well ahead. Trattoria’s steak with its secret sauce is a knockout, often big enough for a doggy bag. L’Aquila’s beef stroganoff is pure heaven. Great service, cracking food—I can’t pick a favourite without feeling guilty!

10. What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you’re away?

The countryside, no question. We went to Finland once—lakes and pine trees as far as the eye could see, lovely but monotonous. Flying back into Leeds, seeing those rolling hills and patchwork greens lifted my soul. It’s home in a way nowhere else is.

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