Two minutes with… Chris Tuite, MRM
You were recently appointed to the board at MRM as a Director and Head of Consumer Finance, what will your new role entail?
I will be responsible for overseeing MRM’s consumer finance proposition. Our aim is to develop and grow the team, our services and clients in this area.
What are you hoping to achieve in the new role?
When I joined MRM just over two years ago my aim was to be an integral part of a consultancy that does exciting and interesting work for some of the leading and most innovative brands in financial services. I’m pleased to say that has been my experience from day one. My focus now is to build on that foundation and to grow the team and our proposition in line with the overall ambitions of the business. In other words I want to work with the most talented people, for the most interesting clients and get the best results. Simple really.
If you could give one piece of financial advice to a teenage version of yourself, what would it be?
If I could go back in time to 2009 I’d buy A LOT of Bitcoin, but wouldn’t everyone!? If I have to go back further in my DeLorean (showing my age?) and start speaking to the 1996 version of Chris I’d start off by saying cut the curtains mate you look like a divvy. Then I’d march younger me to the barbers to ensure I took care of that, pronto. While we were queueing up I’d say learn more about investing because a little bit of considered risk can bring rewards. I’ve always been a good saver but I haven’t really made the most of the money I’ve set aside over the years.
What three things would you do if you were head of the FCA?
- Stop unnecessary jargon and complexity
- Stop unnecessary jargon and complexity
- Stop unnecessary jargon and complexity
Too many people just don’t understand financial services products; that creates distrust, leads to poor financial decisions and means people often end up being worse off than they should be. Vicious cycle.
What is your biggest pet peeve, or makes you angry?
People shouting personal conversations into their phones on buses. It’s like being trapped in a live episode of Jeremy Kyle. Give it a rest, please.
Now, tell us a little about your life outside of work, do you have any hobbies?
I have a season ticket at Liverpool FC sitting in the newly renamed Kenny Dalglish Stand. I travel the length and breadth of England (and sometimes Europe) spending lots of cash watching millionaires kicking a ball around. Stupid I know, but the truth is I love it. I also follow the Irish rugby team when I can.
I’m a keen boxing fan and like to lace up the gloves myself. Don’t think I’m going to trouble Anthony Joshua anytime soon though as I’m quite happy throwing punches but I’m less adept at taking them. I go round London touring different boxing gyms and up until recently would spar people when the opportunity arose. I’m 35 now though so I think the time has come for me to focus on the training and not the fighting. I’ve met some amazing characters on my travels and it really is a sport that brings out the best qualities in people. It’s very misunderstood.
What is the one column or website that you read every day?
As soon as I wake up I review the coverage my clients have got overnight. I then pick relevant stories out of The Guardian’s and then The Times’ daily morning email followed by a quick perusal of Twitter and LinkedIn and then a podcast on the bus. When I’m at my desk, BBC Business news online and the FT help flesh out some more detail behind the headlines. Then it’s time for breakfast.
What would you do if you received a windfall of £10,000?
I’m getting married this summer so I’d use it to fund our honeymoon. Tania and I are torn between going to South America or the west coast of Canada and the US at the moment. If anyone has any recommendations tweet me @ChewyTuite83, I’m all ears.