Centurion Chartered Financial Planners has welcomed former Royal Marine, Carl Naudo, to its specialist Court of Protection and Personal Injury team of independent financial planners — marking a significant step in its commitment to supporting injured clients, veterans, and their families.
Centurion has also announced its new Bronze award status in its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Carl, who served for 23 years in the military before retraining as a financial adviser, brings with him a unique blend of lived experience, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of resilience and risk — qualities that now inform his approach to financial planning.
“For me, financial planning is more than a career move,” Carl explained. He added:
“It’s the culmination of years of personal lessons in money management, risk-taking and resilience. I feel like I’ve made all the mistakes, so my clients don’t have to. From property investments during the financial crisis to early experiences with cryptocurrency — I’ve lived through the ups and downs of financial decision-making. That gives me real empathy for clients facing uncertainty or risk in their own lives.”
Serving veterans and injured clients
Carl’s military background now informs his work with clients — particularly those adjusting to civilian life, managing injuries, or dealing with major life changes.
“People in the military are natural risk-takers — I know that instinct because I’ve had it myself,” he said. “My role is often to help them pause, take a step back, and think about a longer-term plan. And for those leaving service, sometimes through medical discharge, it can feel isolating. Having someone they can trust, who understands that world, makes a real difference.”
Although Carl himself left service without injury, he witnessed first-hand the impact of catastrophic injuries on colleagues and friends. Later in his military career, he led teams of up to 90 people, supporting them through life events such as divorce, bereavement and illness.
“That experience taught me to listen, to adapt, and to explain complex decisions clearly — the very skills clients need from a financial planner,” he said.
At Centurion, Carl joins the firm’s Personal Injury and Court of Protection team, which works closely with law firms to support clients who have received compensation settlements. His particular focus will be on developing specialist services for injured military veterans and explained:
“Making wealthy people wealthier isn’t what excites me, I want to do meaningful work that improves lives.”
Expanding Centurion’s specialist expertise
For Chris Hill, Head of Advisory and the Court of Protection and Personal Injury Team at Centurion, Carl’s arrival is both strategic and personal. He said:
“Carl’s passion for supporting veterans came through strongly at interview. We’d been exploring how to expand our personal injury and Court of Protection work into the veteran space — but none of us had the lived experience of military service. Carl completes that picture.”
Chris believes that there remains a gap in the financial services sector when it comes to dedicated, independent support for injured veterans and other vulnerable clients.
“We regularly speak to law firms and support organisations who are surprised more advisers aren’t doing this work,” he explained. “Independence is critical — these individuals need advice that is purely in their best interests, not driven by products or commissions.”
The wider economic climate, Chris added, makes this expertise even more vital, he said:
“For many clients, particularly those with large damages settlements — such as those linked to the infected blood inquiry — that compensation may be the only capital they ever receive. If it’s not managed properly, the consequences can be devastating.”
“Our job is to ensure that money lasts — putting robust strategies in place, budgeting realistically, and planning for future care needs. That’s where independence and specialist knowledge really count.”
Building for the future
Centurion has seen a rise in enquiries since launching its specialist teams earlier this year, particularly from law firms seeking trusted partners for complex client needs. The firm continues to expand across its Cardiff and South Wales offices, with new advisers joining and younger planners progressing toward qualification.
“We’re building teams around niches rather than creating generalists,” said Chris. “That’s what makes us different. With Carl on board, we can now offer something truly unique to military veterans and the law firms who support them.”
For Carl, the move to Centurion represents both a new chapter and a continuation of service:
“The Royal Marines taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of trust. Now I get to use those same values to help clients — especially those facing uncertainty — build secure futures. That’s what excites me about this next chapter.”
Centurion gains Armed Forces Covenant Bronze Award
In tandem with Carl’s appointment, Centurion has formally committed to the Armed Forces Covenant — a nationwide promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly and with respect.
The Covenant recognises the unique obligations and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community and promotes two core principles:
-
That those who serve or have served, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens; and
-
That special consideration is appropriate in some cases, particularly for the injured or bereaved.
Announcing the Bronze Award status, Chris said:
“Supporting those who have served our country is something we take seriously. Signing the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our growing work in this area and our commitment to providing expert, compassionate advice to veterans and their families.”
About Centurion’s specialist teams
To learn more about Centurion Chartered Financial Planners’s specialist Court of Protection and Personal Injury services, click here.
