Heroes Work Here: Stuart McLuckie

ZEDRA prides itself on its diverse, hard working team of industry professionals; it is a team we’re proud of and we’d like to give you the opportunity to get to know us better!

In this edition of Faces of ZEDRA, we meet Stuart McLuckie,  Managing Director ZEDRA Manchester.

In your own words, tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Cheshire in the North West of England before studying Law at Hull University on the East coast of England.

An enthusiastic sportsman, I enjoyed playing football, rugby and cricket at a decent level before deciding that I was too old and injured to continue.

After University I spent 5 years working in a family business making shampoos, body lotions and perfumery. Everyday I would come home smelling of women’s perfume, but my wife was very understanding!

When I went into the Trust industry after my stint in the family business, I started at the bottom, and gradually made my way up the ladder. With hindsight, I think the experience working at my family firm and working my way up from the bottom, taught me quite a lot.

More recently, I returned back to Cheshire after 15 happy years in Geneva. I miss the difference in the weather during the different seasons and have returned to the almost relentless rain of Manchester and Cheshire. I am struggling to make a case for buying a barbecue but I have recently built some decking.

I’ve always been driven by client service and that’s been my main motivation to do a great job for them. I’m naturally interested in my clients and have always worked to get to know their businesses and their family, which is so important to build a lasting relationship with them.

What inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from the world of sport where I have obvious heroes like Ian Botham and Daley Thompson (who shares my birthday) but what often inspires me more are normal people who overcome tremendous disabilities or disease and show enormous courage to just get on with life no matter what life throws at them.

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Be more confident in your own abilities.

What do you do in your spare time?

Until recently I’ve enjoyed playing football, but sadly my body is no longer so willing! I also enjoy discussing politics although in 2019 even I had heard enough about Brexit.  Sadly the Coronavirus has now taken its place as the focus of conversation.

Do you travel a lot for work?

Before the Coronavirus, I have been to some interesting places with work such as Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, UAE and Turkey. Probably the most interesting thing I have done was cycling around Beirut during a client trip, having been persuaded by my colleague that this was safe and a good idea.

How do you think the Industry will change in the next 5 years?

I think that tax and structures will become a lot more transparent and more connected on a global level. This has already started but it will undoubtedly continue. I am sure things like a global tax on tech companies will happen but with lots of resistance.  Given the large amounts of Government spending on the Coronavirus it will be necessary for Governments to meet some of that spending by increases to tax.

Tell us about what makes ZEDRA unique

I believe most of the people who work for ZEDRA are entrepreneurial in spirit and always looking how best to service a client. I believe that has led us to develop some exciting new services over the last few years so that we can become more of a one stop shop for our clients.