The man who probably should be among the county's very best known financial advisers has joined the Gloucester offices of Oculus Wealth Management.

We say 'probably' because if you have not heard of Henry Hodgkins there are two reasons - firstly, you are not one of his clients.

Secondly, one of the key characteristics for moving in the circles he has made a successful career out of serving is absolute discretion.

"We were delighted when the opportunity came up for Henry to join the firm. He comes with an excellent reputation and track record and is one of the best-connected advisers in the region.

"Henry's client-centric ethos and values align perfectly to ours and we are very much looking forward to working with him," said Duncan Read, managing director of Oculus. The independently owned financial planning and wealth management service provider has been in business since 2013.

It looks after business owners, professionals, executives and the retired via a network of strategic offices, including one in Gloucester Docks where Mr Hodgkins is now ensconced.

Alluding to his previous role, with lashings of the aforementioned discretion, Mr Hodgkins said: "I had recently completed a project that I had been brought into a Cheltenham firm to do.

"Then a meeting with Jerry Goodman and Andy Fitz, who established the Oculus office in Gloucester in 2015, led to this excellent opportunity to join Oculus. Moving to a new firm is a big decision and I am excited about this new opportunity.

"I have been hugely impressed at the calibre of everybody that I have met and the quality of the support team and structures.

"Jerry and Andy have a first-class reputation for providing quality advice, are well known throughout the local professional community and I look forward to developing the Oculus Gloucester office with them.

"I am seeing a lot of demand currently from people looking to maximise their investment returns at a key stage in their life and to do so in a safe, well managed structure". "Trust is a huge factor with my clients and I am already getting a great response from them, when I share the news of my move."

Mr Hodgkins' role is to advise existing and new clients, but he specialises in helping those either approaching retirement or already retired and seeking advice on investments, trusts or financial planning. Born in Staverton he attended Dean Close School before joining Lloyds Bank and subsequently becoming a founder partner at a local IFA firm where he worked until the business was sold.

Mr Hodgkins lives in Charlton Kings, is married to Caroline and has three children who have followed in his footsteps by attending Dean Close, where he is a Governor.

He is also a Governor of Hartpury College, chairman of the Cheltenham Business Lunch Club and a Trustee of LINC.