A little intro please Gavin?
Hi I’m Gavin Dutton, family man, living in Chichester with my wife and 3 children. I’ve enjoyed working for some great businesses in my career; Checkatrade more recently and for 9 years where, as Managing Director I led and helped grow the business from a localised company to a national brand, which then led to a sale of the business to Homeserve Plc. I am fortunate to have gained experience in both start-up businesses and mature corporates. I have worked for some great entrepreneurs and business leaders learning lots along the way.
In addition to Auderli, I currently work for BookaBuilderUK & Light Up Trails. A diverse portfolio of companies to be involved with, where I also have a diverse set of responsibilities, Operations, Product, Strategy, Partnerships, Service & People.
I’m excited to join Auderli as Head of Operations.
What made you want to work for Auderli?
I love the product and I think there is a gap today where Auderli can really help and add value. Auderli will help people with all life’s important information, a place for everything and everything in its place.
What are you most proud of?
Easy, this is absolutely my family.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My son Luke was stillborn in 2009. This without a doubt has been the biggest challenge I have faced in my life. For some time, I really struggled, but I began to realise that ultimately, I had a choice. I could keep struggling and experiencing the pain or make something positive come from his short life. So, the year later I decided to raise money for the charity SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support) who helped my wife and I through our loss. I ran 3 marathons in 3 days and raised a lot of money in doing so. My wife and I continue to support children’s charities annually, raising money and awareness for some great causes. We’ve raised over 6 figures now and whilst we are part of a club I wouldn’t want anyone to have to join, this journey has seen my wife and I get invited to Number 10, The Palace and appear as guests of Philip and Holly on This Morning. Luke’s life really has made a big difference to many, but its specifically changed me for the better.
What’s your favourite Auderli feature?
I like the ring graph feature. As you enter your information on all your assets and liabilities, the graphic updates, and you get a clear picture of your net wealth. I’m a visual person so this helps me think much better. Its presented very well and becomes a great stimulus for helping you think about financial planning.
What’s in your Auderli?
I would have said some of my original Star Wars toys may have made it to the list, but my kids wanted to play with them and although I was initially reluctant, they have gone on to get the same joy out of them as I did, which is far better than them sitting in a box in the loft!
How can Auderli help?
In so many ways, but certainly in one area I see it helping avoid a situation that my mother faced when my father passed away. My Dad died when he was in his 60s and I remember my Mum didn’t get access to some of his pensions. This really angered me as they had been married for 35 years yet for some reason, she wasn’t eligible. Had Auderli been around back then, I really think it would have fostered a financial planning conversation between them so they could have been aware of the limitations of those pensions and planned accordingly. I see Auderli becoming a valuable tool in improving financial wellbeing of its users and their families.