Ben has spent close to 20 years in financial services. More recently, he built a new fintech for charities. Day-to-day, he’s balancing startup life with family life, splitting time between home and the office and staying close to the school-run routine.
Cast your mind back, what was your biggest fear or hesitation about investing before you started?
Mine was unusual. I was keen to invest before I was even allowed to. I actually asked my parents for shares in a company as my 18th birthday present. Like most 18-year-olds, I was confident – probably more confident than I should’ve been – and I hadn’t done as much research as I’d do now. But the idea really appealed: being willing to have a slightly more modest ‘today’ for the chance of a better ‘tomorrow’, and getting money working harder along the way.
Why did you choose Freetrade over other platforms?
First, cost. Commission-free trading, especially for UK equities, is a big deal, and it’s very noticeable when you compare it to traditional brokers where fees quietly stack up over time. Second, the experience. I like the UX and the look and feel. When you compare it side-by-side with legacy pension providers, it really is night and day.
What has Freetrade enabled you to do that you weren’t doing before?
Three things. One, it’s nudged me to move more of my portfolio, because incentives like cashback give you a reason to actually take action rather than procrastinate. Two, it got me into using treasuries, which I wasn’t doing before. They’re especially useful when you’re feeling a bit more cautious and holding more cash, but you still don’t want your money ‘doing absolutely nothing’. Three, commission-free trading means I can be more active with smaller trade sizes, and do things like pound-cost average more effectively: building positions or trimming them little and often, with more entry and exit points, because I’m not paying a toll every time I tap buy or sell.
How has investing, and using Freetrade, changed how you feel about money day to day?
It’s made me appreciate how valuable ease and convenience are. Being able to move quickly, see everything clearly, and switch between accounts – GIA, ISA, SIPP – in a single, well-designed app is genuinely valuable. You don’t want friction when you spot an opportunity, and you also don’t want to be stuck waiting around when markets move. That instant execution and control matters.
What are you investing for, what’s the point of it all?
A better financial future, and more options. Over time, it becomes less about one small goal and more about keeping flexibility across lots of real-life needs: a house purchase, renovations, a car, school fees, retirement, holidays, all those moving pieces. Money doesn’t guarantee happiness, but it does give you choices. Ultimately it’s about building as many options as possible for me and my family, and supporting a higher quality of life.
The people featured in these interviews are actual Freetrade customers and were remunerated for their time. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you invest. Always do your own research.
