At the age of 28, Fiona was heralded as 'The first woman of finance' by Harpers & Queen when she founded a firm of Independent Financial Advisers in London, to pioneer financial advice for women. Over a period of 17 years (from 1988), she built her business into one of the most respected and high profile firms of advisers in the UK. During this time, Fiona frequently appeared in the media and was profiled in 8 books on women entrepreneurs. She won three national business women’s awards and was listed in the Top 100 List of Power and Influence in Financial Services in 2003 and 2004. Whilst building her business, Fiona set up a non-profit organisation for women financial advisers.
After selling the business in 2004, Fiona held a variety of non-executive directorships, as well as advisory roles including one with a micro-finance charity which helped women in the developing world start their own businesses as a means of escaping poverty. She was ‘Women’s Champion’ on the Government's Small Business Council and also mentored fellow business women.
In 2007, keen to move into broadcast, Fiona became an internet video pioneer in setting up a website called ‘Diva-Biz’, which published video interviews with high profile business women to tell their stories and showcase women’s leadership style. Later on, she was asked to head up a fledgling SKY channel called ‘Horse & Country TV’ and couldn't resist the opportunity to combine her passion for horses and her love of business.
After that, Fiona launched an equestrian video website called ‘Horse Hero’, also at the cutting edge of web development. This time, however, pioneering a subscription model. Fiona filmed top professionals and Olympians training and caring for their horses and followed them behind the scenes at major competitions. She sold the business in 2017 after publishing more than 1200 videos.
Then came a reclusive period where Fiona lived remotely on a smallholding in the Welsh hills, looking after her animals and the land. She narrated her semi-feral life-style on a website called ‘Rewilding in Wales’.
Prior to starting work, Fiona spent a year in Australia teaching at Timbertop School, the Australian equivalent to Gordonstoun. She then did a degree in Psychology, followed by a MBA. Sport has featured strongly in Fiona’s life and she has competed at international level in rowing and the equestrian sport of endurance.
Fiona says, “Early on I realised that the ultimate relationship is the one with yourself. How you manage yourself is key to being the best version of you and creating the life experiences you want, rather than reacting to seemingly random events. Of course, it is easier said than done because the life-long habits of thinking, feeling and behaving trip us up. But with awareness and practise, I have learned it is possible to change the mindsets that hinder us and re-focus our thoughts to become a conscious creator in our life.”
She continues, “A sense of spirituality has played an important part in my life because it allowed me see the bigger picture when dealing with everyday issues. It also enabled me to better understand global issues. My version of spirituality is practical. It is about engaging the quantum (or multi-dimensional) aspect of yourself in order to be healthier, happier, more abundant, more inspired or more of whatever you want, by taking control of your thoughts, your body and your life. Consciousness affects matter. This is known. One day, I believe there will be explanations for everything that is currently invisible and esoteric.
Contact Fiona at www.theultimaterelationship.co.uk