Chris Player is the newest member of our Client Services team, joining Citrus Financial as a Technical Administrator in May 2026.
Chris brings a slightly unusual background to the team, having originally trained as an engineer before making the move into financial services. Since then, he has completed the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is now continuing to build his career in financial planning.
We sat down with Chris to talk about his brave career change, why personal finance became a bit of an obsession, life as a busy dad, volunteering locally, Chelsea, skiing, cooking, and why he believes “baking is chemistry, and cooking is philosophy.
How did you first get into financial services?
It’s a long story.
Ironically, my first little flurry into financial services was doing some temping at Fidelity in Hildenborough, which I later found out was opposite the original Citrus office.
In those days, we were processing cheques, which probably shows my age! I only did that for a short time, but I remember getting a bit of a taste for it then.
After that, I worked in engineering for years. When I turned 30, I took stock of my life a little bit, and part of that was sorting out my own finances.
There’s no other way to put it really, I became slightly obsessed with it. I fell down the rabbit hole and found myself getting excited about conversations around personal finances, pensions and how to help people.
I realised I knew things that other people didn’t, and it became a case of, “How can I help people with this?” Eventually, that turned into, “Maybe I can do this as a career.”
You originally trained as an engineer. Are there skills from that world that transfer into financial planning?
Absolutely. I was surprised by how many there were.
Attention to detail and being organised are key. In engineering, we used to build models and try to break them to see if the building still stood. In a way, we do something similar with financial plans.
You test them, query them and try to make sure they are robust and fit for purpose.
What made you decide to study for the Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning?
It was a big step and a big commitment.
At the time, I was very time-poor. I had two young children and I was already working 45 to 50 hours a week. By the time I got home, helped put the children to bed, cooked dinner, ate dinner, sorted the house and did life admin, it was hard to get the books out.
So, I started waking up at 5am and studying then.
It took me about two years from signing up with the CII, finding mentors through the CII Connect programme, going through the exams and receiving my diploma.
"What really attracted me to Citrus was the holistic approach. I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into only looking at one area. I wanted to understand full lifestyle financial planning..."
What attracted you to Citrus Financial?
I had actually heard about Citrus years ago through Citrus Bites. I remember watching Richard in one of the videos and seeing that Citrus was local, in Sevenoaks.
I bookmarked the website and thought that, when the time came to look for a role, Citrus would be on my list.
I contacted David and Kelly out of the blue, originally just asking for a chat about getting into the industry. They were really kind and gave me their time. One thing led to another, and then I was speaking with Richard on Teams and applying for a job.
What really attracted me to Citrus was the holistic approach. I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into only looking at one area. I wanted to understand full lifestyle financial planning, including pensions, ISAs, estate planning, wills, powers of attorney and mortgages. There are not many firms that offer that broad, joined-up approach.
For clients who may not know, what does a Technical Administrator actually do?
Ultimately, our job is to support the advisers.
We do a lot of the technically qualified work in the background. We help review and challenge the advice being prepared, which is important. We carry out cashflow modelling, check balances, deal with providers and platforms, and obtain quotes for insurance policies.
Essentially, we have a big hand in helping formulate the financial plans and the advice that is eventually presented to clients.
Is there an area of financial planning that has particularly caught your interest?
I’m really interested in trusts and estate planning.
It’s something that has grabbed my attention, and it’s what I’m planning to study next as part of the Advanced Diploma.
I don’t want to stop now.
What skills do you think are most important in your role?
Being organised, having attention to detail and working as part of a team.
We deal with different clients and different advisers, and everyone has their own way of doing things. The important thing is being able to pull the pieces together into a coherent and sensible plan.
"More than anything, I like the idea of helping people navigate through things that can feel very complicated."
What are you most looking forward to as you continue developing your career at Citrus?
I’m looking forward to studying for my Advanced Diploma exams, working with a wide range of people, problem-solving and helping clients.
Everyone needs a bespoke plan and solution for their own finances. No two people are alike, and no two couples are alike.
I quite like the plate spinning and dealing with difficult problems. More than anything, I like the idea of helping people navigate through things that can feel very complicated.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about moving into financial services from another career?
Go for it.
Speak to as many people as you can. People are generally far more forthcoming with help and support than you might realise.
I’m actually writing a blog about my journey into financial services, and hopefully it might help someone else make the decision to push the button.
When you’re not working or studying, what do you enjoy doing?
I have two young children, so they keep me very busy. I spend a lot of time running around after them.
I’ve also got a season ticket at Chelsea, so I spend a lot of time at football. I like going to gigs and generally spending time with friends and family. That might be going to National Trust properties or visiting family around the country.
I very rarely have a spare weekend.
"Volunteering gets me out on weekend mornings when I might otherwise be in my pyjamas. It’s good for you to get out there, whatever the weather."
Does that running around usually involve sport?
Yes, everything. Cricket, rugby, football, Scouts, swimming lessons… they do everything. It’s good fun.
I also help out a bit with Sissinghurst Cricket Club and sometimes Robertsbridge Cricket Club, as the children play for two teams at the moment. I’ve also helped with Cranbrook Rugby Club.
Volunteering gets me out on weekend mornings when I might otherwise be in my pyjamas. It’s good for you to get out there, whatever the weather.
Finally, you also enjoy cooking. Is that something you do a lot?
Yes, I’m the one who cooks in our house.
I was actually a chef for a little while in my early 20s and worked in hospitality before I went into engineering. I was a commis chef at a fine dining pub for a time and also worked in a restaurant in London after university.
My go-to dish is probably a wild mushroom risotto, especially in winter. In summer, it varies more. I try to eat with the seasons.
I don’t really bake, though. Baking is chemistry, and cooking is philosophy. With cooking, you can be a bit more freeform. Baking is much more regimented. It’s alchemy, really.
Quickfire Round
Tea or coffee?
Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.
Early bird or night owl?
Naturally a night owl, but I’ve retrained myself as an early bird.
City break, beach holiday or skiing
Skiing. I love the mountains.
Favourite film?
The Shawshank Redemption. I never get tired of it.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Figure out what you want. I think a lot of people go through life not really understanding what they want. Once you understand that, it becomes much easier to put the pieces in place to achieve it.
You can meet more members of the team here.
Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. 26/05/2026
