Alan Clarke was born in Timaru and raised on a farm in South Canterbury. He gained his commercial pilots licence at 19 and flew full time for 20 years in NZ, Africa, England and the USA. His flying career included flight instruction, charter flying, topdressing, crop spraying, and oil rig servicing. Alan took a break from flying at 40 by which time he had amassed close to 11,000 hours in aeroplanes and helicopters.
In 1977, he met and married Donna and they returned permanently to New Zealand in 1984. They now have four children and twin grand daughters. In 1987, Alan made a major career change into finance and has been a financial adviser for over 24 years. He has first hand experience of what works for some people and why others get it so wrong. Alan and Donna established their own financial planning business in 1996.
After many years involvement with active investment managers, and many years research, Alan and Donna discovered what they believe to be a superior investment method – asset class investing.
In 2005 Alan took up flying again (this time for fun) and is now the NZ agent for Pipistrel motor gliders. Donna and Alan enjoy travel, flying, gliding, tripping around NZ, boating, camping and just “being outside.” Alan is an independent AFA (authorised financial adviser) and has just written his first book “Retire Richer” which he says is all about “how to get to retirement , and be retired, without making a hash of it” a very practical guide for everyone age 25 to 85.