A FINANCIAL advisor from East Renfrewshire has been inspired to go into business for himself after overcoming a brain tumour.

Gregory Jenkins, 40, has just launched his own firm – SM Financial Advice – to offer advice on mortgages and insurance.

And the subject of protection is especially close to his heart, as he knows from first-hand experience how important it can be when the worst happens.

Gregory told the Barrhead News: “I’ve been in the industry for 15 years, during which I’ve been heavily involved in protection, talking to people about what would happen to them, their business or their families if they were to become critically ill.

“Then, in March of 2010, I had a seizure and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. I had an operation to remove virtually all of it and, since then, I’ve been doing well.

“Periodically I have to have treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy but I’ve stayed fairly healthy since.

“However, it did help that, when I was seriously ill, I was able to claim on my insurance policies. That paid off my mortgage at the time, provided me with a replacement income when I was unable to work and meant that, when I was very ill, I was able to take the time I needed to recover, without the strain of financial pressure.”

The married dad-of-two said, while being diagnosed with a brain tumour was frightening, he was able to maintain a positive attitude.

“It was a shock,” he admitted. “It’s scary to go through treatment.

“People have this perception of cancer and certainly brain tumours of being a death sentence, but it doesn’t have to be.

“I don’t think many people would imagine someone who had open skull brain surgery would, a few months down the line, be out climbing Munros – but I was.”
Gregory, of Newton Mearns, believes his own experience helps him talk to people about how they’d cope if ‘the worst was to happen’.

He said: “People who do my job often shy away from the subject because it’s not pleasant but you’ve got to have the conversation.”