Spotlight Series: Get to know Connor Donnelly

In this Q&A, we catch up with Connor Donnelly, Financial Planner at Carbon based in our Aberdeen office.

Connor joined Carbon in early 2024. After graduating from Dublin City University with a degree in Business Studies, he worked in an administrative role supporting Financial Planners, gaining valuable industry experience.

In October 2025, Connor achieved his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, coinciding with his move into Carbon's Planning Team. He is continuing his studies with the aim of becoming a Chartered Financial Planner in the near future.

We were delighted when Connor and his wife agreed to relocate to Aberdeen. Their move enables Connor to support our growing client base in the region while working alongside Liam to help develop and expand the Aberdeen office.

Connor's enthusiasm, dedication to his professional development, and approachable nature have made him a valued member of the team, and we are delighted to have him as part of Carbon.

Talk us through your career to date

Like many others in the industry, it’s not been a conventional route into this career straight out of education. Having worked in hospitality throughout Covid, public lockdown brought tougher times financially. This prompted an exploration into personal finance and a desire to know what to do with money for the future.

I enrolled in an evening course, An Introduction to Finance, with a local university, which led to an entry-level administrative role at a financial services firm. In 2024, I joined Carbon, where I continued my professional development through exams and my Client Support role. Now, as a Financial Planner, I’m well placed to help others achieve their goals and enjoy the wealth they’ve built.

Tell us about your role at Carbon and what you enjoy the most about it?

As a Financial Planner, I help bring clarity to clients’ finances and work with them to build a roadmap aligned to their long-term goals. The role is centred on building lasting relationships and supporting clients through different stages of life.

Clients often reach out initially as they are unsure whether they are contributing enough to their pensions, if they are invested as they should be, or if they have enough saved to retire. These questions are often prompted by a life event or juncture in their lives and trying to figure all of this out alone at this point in life can be overwhelming. Being somebody that clients can turn to for expertise and clarity is hugely rewarding.

What is it about your role that excites and inspires you?

Providing peace of mind and encouraging clients to enjoy their wealth. Money has a massive emotional impact on our lives. It may not bring happiness alone, but it can certainly allow us to have meaningful experiences with those important to us; something I would argue would leave many of us leading happier lives.

Many spend years working hard and accumulating, making sensible financial decisions. One of the most valuable things we can do is help them feel comfortable spending and enjoying their wealth without worrying whether they’ll have enough.

Financial planning is more than just numbers – it’s about understanding what matters most to clients and supporting them through different stages in life. It’s incredibly exciting and fulfilling to have the opportunity to build long standing relationships with clients and be somebody they can trust to support the life they want to enjoy.

From your perspective, what are the key financial issues to be aware of over the next 10 years?

Ongoing legislative changes are making tax planning increasingly complex, both during life and on death.

For example, from April 2027, pensions will form part of estates for inheritance tax purposes. Previously a highly tax-efficient way to pass on wealth, this change could significantly increase inheritance tax liabilities for many. As a result, proactive lifetime tax planning is becoming more important.

As always, budgets and news headlines on potential future changes to taxation bring with it endless speculation. It’s our job to cut through the noise and speculation and help make a meaningful difference in the level of tax paid over client’s lifetimes by building a financial plan based on what is actually known.

What's the most important piece of advice you give your clients?

Perhaps more a question rather than advice - How would you spend your time if money wasn’t a concern?

Understanding what an ideal retirement looks like, desired experiences, and goals for family allows us to build a financial plan that supports those ambitions. This approach keeps motivations at the centre and ensures wealth is used to enhance life, not just accumulate.

Life moves quickly, and it’s easy to fall into routine without reflecting on what truly matters. Financial planning encourages that reflection and helps turn those priorities into reality.

If Connor’s perspective resonates with you and you’d like support turning your goals into a clear, achievable plan, we’re here to help. You can reach us on 0131 220 0000 or email enquiries@carbonfinancial.co.uk.