'Meet the Team' Series

Getting to know our Commercial Director John Moran

Getting to know our Commercial Director John Moran

We might all be working from home, but the lock-down won’t stop us from welcoming our newest team, and Board member.

A Chartered Accountant by trade, John Moran joins us as our new Commercial Director, looking after our finance and working on areas of our business development too. CEO Adrian Murphy and I sat down with John, in each of our own homes over Zoom, to ask him some questions (a few deal-breaking ones too).

Watch the full interview here: 

 Please tell us about yourself.

I trained as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young here in Glasgow and was with them for 12 years. I worked with a diverse range of companies from different sectors gaining experience in audit, corporate finance and management consulting.

In 1999 I joined Bank of Scotland and over the next 10 years I worked as a transaction director in the Integrated Finance business investing in management buyouts before going on the lead the real estate investment business, Joint Ventures across UK and Europe. In 2007 I was appointed to the Corporate Board.

In 2010 I left the bank to start my own consultancy business working on assignments ranging from corporate transactions, balance sheet restructuring, due diligence as well as Chairman and non-executive director services.

In 2015 I joined Grant Property to lead their Property Management business before being appointed Managing Director of the company in 2016.

After leaving Grant Property in 2019 I took some time off before joining Murphy Wealth in March 2020, a day before we were advised to start working from home!

What was your motivation in joining the industry?

The Financial Advisory industry is facing significant challenges in the face of changing regulation and downward pressure on fee income.  However, with these challenges brings opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves in the market by offering services more aligned to their clients’ needs and adding value beyond investment strategy.  That challenge excites me.

What made you want to join Murphy Wealth?

Murphy Wealth has a rich history in the industry and a great reputation.  However, what attracted me was Adrian’s desire to grow the business by being different and with a focus on service innovation.  He has a clear vision of the type of value-added services a Wealth Manager should be offering its clients while being willing to break from an archaic pricing model.

What is your biggest business achievement to date?

My biggest business achievement has been helping to develop the careers of young people I have worked with, who have gone on to hold senior positions in businesses across the UK.

Three good things about working in Glasgow?

Three good things working in Glasgow.  After many years of travelling with work it is nice to have an office in the city, I live in.  Glasgow is a vibrant city with a very supportive business community but most of all the people have a fantastic outlook and a great sense of humour.

Which businessperson or company do you most admire and why?

Steve Jobs and Apple.  The simplicity and beauty of the design of their products and the development of their brand into a lifestyle choice is phenomenal.  I think keeping things simple for the customer is the key to success but one of the most difficult things to achieve.

What is the best investment you ever made?

The best investment I have ever made is Sky Sports and two televisions.  With a wife and three daughters to compete with on TV viewing it has been a life saver.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

When I was a child, I dreamed of playing sport for a living.  Mainly football or golf but I quickly realised that was not going to happen.  I was a bit lost after that, so my father suggested as I was good with numbers become a Chartered Accountant and then do what you want.  So, I did.

What do you do to relax away from the office?

Not surprisingly I still play a lot of sport.  Mainly tennis and 7 a side football (when I am not injured) and some golf in the summer.  Otherwise I love eating out with family or friends and I am getting addicted to Netflix series.

Favourite band?

U2

Favourite movie?

Shawshank Redemption

Favourite holiday destination?

Majorca

Finally, three words to sum you up?

Family, optimistic and loyal.

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