Q&A with Alex Gibson-Watt, Managing Director at John Lamb Hill Oldridge

In this series of Q&A articles, you can learn more about our team members who ensure that our clients receive the very highest level of service.

Alex Gibson-Watt is the Managing Director at John Lamb Hill Oldridge. She has been with us since 2003, becoming Managing Director in 2018, and has seen the business grow and evolve over the years.

Read on to learn more about Alex’s background, how she helps her clients, and some of her favourite parts of the role.

Could you share a bit about your journey within John Lamb Hill Oldridge and how it led to your role as Managing Director?

I joined John Lamb Hill Oldridge in 2003, when we were still known as John Lamb and operated as a more traditional independent financial advice firm.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work across almost every part of the business, which has been invaluable.

That broad experience shaped my understanding of our clients, our internal processes, and the specialist expertise that underpins our work.

In March 2018, I became Managing Director, taking on responsibility for leading the firm and guiding its strategic direction.

Since then, the business has evolved significantly. Watching the business grow and become a true centre of excellence has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my leadership journey.

What do you believe has been your most significant career milestone so far? How has this shaped your approach to your work today?

Stepping into senior leadership was a defining moment. It shifted my perspective entirely. I wasn’t just contributing to the business anymore; I was responsible for shaping its future and nurturing the development of the entire John Lamb Hill Oldridge team.

Since then, our team has grown by more than 300%. We have built specialist capabilities that didn’t previously exist, including an industry-leading underwriting team and a renewals and valuations team dedicated to ongoing policy support.

The most meaningful part for me, however, is still watching people grow into their roles and seeing them flourish. The confidence and expertise they develop is genuinely the highlight of my role.

As Managing Director, what areas do you focus on to ensure clients receive the highest level of service and expertise?

My priority is ensuring our clients receive exceptional technical advice and long-term, thoughtful support.

A big part of that is investing in the teams that make this possible, from developing advisers at the start of their careers to building our specialist functions such as underwriting and policy renewals and valuations.

These teams ensure that we deliver a seamless experience from the initial planning and underwriting stages right through to the long-term stewardship of each policy.

Ultimately, I aim to create an environment where our advisers feel empowered to provide highly personalised, expert guidance supported by strong processes and a collaborative culture.

What do you consider to be the biggest misconception about succession planning, and why?

A common misconception is that succession planning is purely about tax and technical structuring. In reality, it is primarily about people: their values, expectations, and the conversations that bring those together.

We always encourage families to treat succession planning as an ongoing journey rather than a one-off task. When families see that it is about preparing the next generation, not just protecting the current one, the whole process becomes far more meaningful and effective.

What advice would you offer to professionals supporting high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families concerned about protecting their assets for future generations?

Take a genuinely collaborative and coordinated approach.

At John Lamb Hill Oldridge, we see ourselves as part of a client’s wider trusted adviser circle, working closely with lawyers, accountants, investment managers, and family offices. Many of the families we support have complex, multi-layered planning needs, so it is essential to have alignment across all advisers.

Above all, listen. Understanding what matters to the family, their hopes, concerns, dynamics, and long-term vision, makes all the difference when designing structures that will genuinely stand the test of time.

What is the most rewarding part of your role at John Lamb Hill Oldridge?

Without question, it is seeing the long-term impact of the work we do. Whether this is helping families to put robust structures in place, securing protection for clients who have been declined elsewhere, or negotiating stronger outcomes, knowing we have made a meaningful difference is incredibly fulfilling.

I am also extremely proud of the teams we have built, from advisers who joined as graduates to the specialist underwriting and renewals teams that now act as cornerstones of the business. Seeing people I have been involved in training go on to lead these functions is hugely rewarding.

What do you believe sets John Lamb Hill Oldridge apart from other organisations in this sector?

Our unique strength lies in the combination of exceptional technical expertise and a genuinely personalised approach.

We handle incredibly complex, high-value cases, but we work closely with clients to understand the people and families behind the planning. Our specialist teams allow us to support clients in a way that is both comprehensive and continuous.

As an independent firm, our advice is always shaped by what is best for the client, without exception.

What level of support can clients expect from their broker when they work with John Lamb Hill Oldridge?

Clients can expect a truly end-to-end service, from the initial conversation through to underwriting, implementation, and long-term policy management.

Our specialist renewals and valuations team plays a crucial role here, ensuring policies continue to be relevant and remain aligned with clients’ evolving circumstances.

We are committed to lasting relationships. Whether a family’s circumstances change, the regulatory landscape shifts, or their long-term plans evolve, we stay actively involved to ensure their arrangements keep working for them – now and for generations to come.

Get in touch

To learn more about how Alex and the team at John Lamb Hill Oldridge can help you to support high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, please get in touch.

Email [email protected] or call us on 020 7633 2222.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.