Richard Zeng, PhD

Could you be more financially savvy this tax year?

March, and spring more generally, is often a time for fresh starts. And now your tax allowances are getting one too. The new tax year begins on 6 April, giving you time to plan how you’ll use all those new allowances to your advantage.

Take your ISA allowance. It can be tempting to leave it until the last minute to use it up. But, if you’re able to pay into it at the beginning of the year, you’re potentially getting a whole extra 12 months of time for your savings to grow.

A review right at the start of the tax year, or just before it, can also help us spot if there are any tax incentives you could use throughout the year.

You might be surprised just how many people don’t do this - and miss out on money that’s rightfully theirs. These tax incentives can be things like increasing your pension contributions or charitable giving to help offset your income tax.

I can also draw up a cashflow model to bring this to life. The model allows us to explore and compare different strategies and scenarios, so you can see the difference it will make to your long-term finances and goals.

If you want to find out more about the savvy financial strategies I could help you with this tax year, feel free to get in touch.

Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.

Stocks and Shares ISAs invest in corporate bonds, stocks and shares and other assets that fluctuate in value.

Tax Planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited. November 2025.

What Led me to Financial Planning

My interest in personal finance started young. When I was 12, I made my first investment (with the help of a guardian), a mutual fund I picked simply because the name sounded appealing. It was a naïve choice, but it sparked a lifelong curiosity about how money works and eventually led me into my career.

Fourteen years later, I earned a PhD in Accounting from London Business School and became a lecturer at the University of Bristol. Over nine years in academia, I taught and researched a wide range of accounting and finance topics. The work involved thinking critically, analysing complex data, and communicating clearly with audiences ranging from complete beginners to experts.

While I enjoyed the intellectual challenge, I eventually realised I wanted to apply that expertise in a more personal and practical way. I found myself most energised by the conversations that helped people make sense of complex choices. Some of the most rewarding moments at work came when a student or colleague asked for my opinion, and together we worked through their thinking until they had clarity on their next step.

Even outside of work, friends and family often turn to me for perspective when they face difficult decisions. I may not always have the perfect answer, but I always do my best to help.

That’s what led me to financial planning. It allows me to combine technical expertise with something that has always come naturally: offering clear, thoughtful guidance when it matters most.

Outside the Office

I stay active with gym workouts, tennis, and golf. I also love music, wine, whisky, and good conversations. I continue to teach part-time at university and enjoy bridging academic thinking with real-life financial planning.

Download Richard's Chinese biography.