Featured Face: Eddie Hopkins
At PTL we pride ourselves on being personable. Meet Eddie Hopkins.
What was your favourite subject at school? Worst?
Favourite was Maths & Sport. Worst was French
Do you have a nickname?
My nickname was Shed to my mates or Mad Dog when I was on the football pitch!
If you had to be classified as a member of a “generation” which would it be?
I suppose I am part of the baby boom generation from the mid-sixties
What was the first record that you bought?
My sister tells me it was something by the “Honey Monster” (for those who remember the Sugar Puff adverts) but the first album I remember was by the Stranglers
What was the last concert you went to?
Just before Christmas we went to see Slade & Sweet who were doing a tour!
What did you want to be when you were at school?
No burning desire but a career as a footballer would have been good
What was your first job?
First “proper” job was with Norwich Union (now Aviva) but while I was at school a few of us used to work for the council by cleaning the school (now where did I put that brush!)
How did you start in the pensions profession?
Norwich Union were the first company to offer me a job when I left education and I ended up staying there for over 11 years
What is your favourite book and film?
Favourite book is “Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers”, it just makes me laugh. Favourite film would have to me Monty Pythons “Life of Brian”
Do you support a sporting team?
My life long football team is QPR as I was born nearby and my dad used to take me to see them when I was a kid. I like most sports including American Football where I support the San Francisco 49ers
What three adjectives would your colleagues use to describe you?
Happy, Friendly & Optimistic (hopefully!)
What aspect of pensions legislation or provision would you change if you could?
Make the whole thing much more simple and transparent, as I think a lot of people are put off from investing in pensions due to the complexity.
Who is the most irritating person in the industry or public eye?
Difficult to pick someone out from the industry, in general those in the public eye that I find most irritating are politicians as they promise so much and fail to deliver.
Who is the most influential person in the pensions industry?
Has to be Steve Webb
Should saving into a pension be compulsory?
No, because not everyone can afford to, but if we make things more simple to understand then that would attract more savers to pensions
Pension or ISA?
I firmly believe in not putting all of your eggs in one basket, so it has to be both, plus property (and some under the mattress!)
What is your worst habit?
I can be a bit of a perfectionist
When was the last time you lost your temper?
I honestly can’t remember as I have a very long fuse, probably when I was in school!
What was the last “bargain” you got?
Our house, as it has gone up in value well over the last 17 years. My previous house ended up in a negative equity cost
What is your favourite meal and drink?
Steak and chips with a bread roll, for a drink a cold beer (my favourite was a Michelob, but they don’t seem to sell it in the UK now)
What is the biggest bet you ever placed and did you win?
If we are honest, getting married is the biggest gamble we can take and I won big time as I have a wonderful wife and kids
Who would be your ideal dinner guest?
Stan Bowles (ex-QPR player from the 70’s)
What was the last country you visited?
Poland for a family wedding, it was great fun
Eddie joined PTL in July 2011, having worked in the Corporate Benefits market for over 28 years, gaining a wide knowledge of Corporate Pensions and Group Risk Insurance. In his role as Manager, he assists our clients in running their pension schemes in an efficient and compliant way whilst helping them to secure their long term strategic objectives.