I had the pleasure of speaking with Debrah, who has over 10 years’ experience in Financial Services in both the UK and Portugal. Debrah is originally from Manchester and has an undergraduate and postgraduate Law degree, after which she decided to go into Financial Services. Debrah moved to the Algarve 8 years ago, “I always wanted to live abroad and moving to Portugal was the best decision, it’s beautiful here and the lifestyle it offers is incredible.”

Debrah told me “I am really excited to start at Spectrum Portugal because it is a really fresh approach compared to other places I have worked at, just in the way that the business is run, what is available to clients and how clients are treated.” Adding that “Mark and I are both highly qualified so it is a great synergy to have us together, offering something new to expatriates in Portugal, some of whom are perhaps not receiving the best advice or service.”

Mark Quinn, the Country Manager for Portugal at Spectrum, said, “I am very pleased to be able to welcome Debrah to the firm. She is highly professional, experienced and knowledgeable, and it is very rare to find a person with this level of expertise. I know she will be a great addition to the team.”

On the Ground Expertise

Debrah knows the Portuguese system really well having lived here for over 8 years so can give professional advice when it comes to dealing with your finances, taxes or relocating. “I have seen so many expats move here and I have seen what has gone well and what could have gone better. I have also met many professionals so you know who to talk to after being here for so long. I bring on the ground expertise, which is so important when you are advising people who are moving to a new country and who do not know the language or processes when it comes to your finances.”

Confidentiality and Advice you can trust

It is important to note that there is no fee for initial meetings at Spectrum Portugal, with Debrah explaining “that most people do not really understand what a financial advisor does or how they can help their personal situation. We use the initial meetings to assess if there are any areas we can help with or whether they are actually in need of a lawyer or accountant. If there is advice to be implemented, we are fully transparent and clear on the cost prior to any work being undertaken.”

Spectrum are committed to having a long term relationship with their clients so the consultation acts as a way for clients to vet them and vice versa with Debrah explaining that “It is quite a personal relationship between a financial advisor and client because you go into a lot of personal things with them, not only around their finances but also their family plans, so you have to get on with that person and trust that you are not only speaking to someone appropriately qualified and knowledgeable but that they are also sympathetic and confidential.”

Taking Care of Families

Debrah assured me that “We are a family office and aim to maintain long-term relationships with our clients and hopefully in a generational sense as well, through the estate and succession planning we do. It is about putting families in the best position they can be. That is what I personally really enjoy about what I do, not just the technical aspect but helping people.”

Additionally, “I think being a woman in this very male-dominated industry is something I will be able to bring to the company. I think it is a big thing to have female-led financial advice for women or for those who would feel more comfortable with a female advisor. I want to help and financially educate women here in Portugal, whether they are divorced, have lost their family or have come out here alone, so they have the confidence to manage their affairs and are not misadvised.”

The Spectrum IFA Group covers everything from tax planning to investment and pension planning as well as estate and succession planning. Contact Spectrum Portugal today for your free consultation or for further information please visit https://www.spectrum-ifa.com/financial-advisers-portugal.

Debrah Broadfield and Mark Quinn are Chartered Financial Planners with the Chartered Insurance Institute and Tax Advisers, qualifying with the Association of Tax Technicians. Contact Debrah and Mark at: +351 289 355 316 or mark.quinn@spectrum-ifa.com / debrah.broadfield@spectrum-ifa.com