Sometimes the most valuable connections start in the most unexpected ways.
I was just about to go on stage at Women on Top last year, had been clapping very enthusiastically as Piper Louise Marshall came through the room - glancing down at my hand, I was horrified to see my engagement ring, empty, with no diamond in it.
The world stopped for a few seconds. I remember blinking, unsure that what I was looking at, it it was actual reality.
Aside from the diamond being big and beautiful, it has enormous sentimental value - a link to my Mum, and my Grandma.
And it could have been lost anywhere that day - the station, train, en route to the hotel. My head went into a spin.
Scanning the carpet around me, something glinted in the carpet. I reached down not thinking that there's any way it could be right in front of me......thank you god, it was the diamond! I couldn't believe I'd found it, someone was most definitely looking down.
I went on stage and started gabbling to the audience about my lost and found diamond - what a way to open an event!
I had been promised by a jeweller that it had been secured a few years earlier, clearly it hadn't. So I knew I needed to find someone that could do the job properly.
Texting friends and searching on egg, one name kept popping up - Clare Blatherwick.
With a career spanning over two decades - including roles in international auction houses, luxury retail, and the world of gemstone dealing, Clare is one of the most qualified and experienced jewellers working in the UK.
We met for a coffee at Steampunk, I was impressed, and reassured, this was the jeweller for me.
After discussion around the diamond repair ended, Clare told me her exciting news; that after a long search, she had secured premises in North Berwick. When I asked if she had a nice landlord, she replied "Yes, I'm my landlord!".
Confused and intrigued I asked how this was possible, Clare explained she had done it all through her pension.
This caught my attention as I've been thinking about my pension for a long time, wanting to amalgamate the few bitty ones I have, get some independent advice. Clare told me she'd been working with Kris Banks at Melville, and that she highly rated him.
Fast forward a few months, and I’ve now been working with Kris and the team at Melville Independent to make sense of my own financial setup. From amalgamating my pensions to offering sound advice around long-term financial wellbeing, their guidance has been insightful, reassuring, I know I'm in safe hands with a very personalised service.
I know how many of you are looking for advice on pensions and wealth management, and how confusing and overwhelming it can be, we see questions in the Facebook group most weeks asking for help.
And so I'm thrilled to announce that Melville Independent Finance are now official partners of egg.
Over the coming months, Kris and the Melville team will be sharing expert insights, answering your questions, and providing support for our members — both online and at events. Their team specialise in wealth management, pensions, and financial planning, and they do it with a calm, human touch that makes everything feel less intimidating.
If you’ve ever wondered,
What should I do with my old workplace pensions?
How do I start planning for the future — even if I don’t feel “ready” yet?
Could my pension be working harder for me or my business?
…then Melville can help.
We’re proud to be working with a team who care about long-term impact and financial confidence for women.
I'll leave it to Claire for the final endorsement!
“Kris was recommended to me by a very good client who works in the financial sector, and whose opinion I really trust. He has been a fantastic financial advisor both personally and professionally. Without his sage advice I would not have acquired the space we have in North Berwick for my business, which has been a great step for us. I’m super grateful to him.”
More details on Melville website.
To speak to one of the team, email here.
Visit Clare Blatherwick here.