Whether you're considering your move to Spain or already live here, it's always refreshing to hear about others' stories and find out about some of the people who live here. That's why we are conducting quick 10-minute interviews with colleagues, clients, friends and acquaintances so you get an insight into the type of people living here and day-to-day life here in Spain!
John Diking has lived on the Costa del Sol for over 20 years and is a well-known financial adviser in the expatriate community. He helps people in Europe with financial and tax planning and wealth management linked to their move to Malaga as well as other areas in Spain. His clients enjoy their new retirement lifestyle in Spain, with the peace of mind of knowing that their financial assets are looked after and grow tax-efficiently. He is keen to tell us all about the great lifestyle he's leading here in the South of Spain.
Links
John Diking on LinkedIn | Chase Buchanan - Private Wealth Managers in Spain
1. For how long have you lived on the Costa del Sol?
I came down from my native Sweden 21 years ago, to study the final year of my Master of Science Business Degree at Complutense University in Madrid, under a student exchange programme between European universities.
2. What made you want to move to the Costa del Sol?
As soon as I finished the studies in Madrid I was offered a job for a Spanish bank in Fuengirola, so I moved down here.
3. What’s the best thing about the Costa del Sol as a place to live in your opinion?
The variety offered by the geographic location and climate. There is something here for everyone, you have got the sea and mountains, the city vibe of Malaga as well as the charming villages inland.
4. Give us a brief description of what you get up to on your usual working day.
As a Private Wealth Manager at Chase Buchanan, I help expatriates in Spain with their financial planning. We ensure that their investments and pensions grow tax-efficiently whilst they are compliant with Spanish and European regulations. There are 17 autonomous tax regions in Spain, each with their own tax rules. This means that I need to be up to speed with any changes as they happen, as I am looking after clients who live in different areas of Spain including the Costa del Sol.
I spend a typical day completing financial reviews face-to-face or via video calls and completing follow-up work from these meetings.
5. How do you enjoy spending your weekends and free time?
The climate allows me to play golf and tennis all year. I also enjoy strolling around Malaga with my wife on the weekends, where we like to try out new restaurants. Then there is a top ski resort only a 2 hour drive from the coast where I like to go in the winter.
7. If you could change jobs with anyone for the day, who would it be and why?
Luka Doncic, my favourite basketball player. I would love to be paid extremely well to have fun on a basketball court, as he does, rather than spending so much time working in front of a computer.
8. What’s your favourite food?
My favourite cuisines are Italian, Japanese and Georgian food. If I have to choose just one, I would go for Georgian. If anyone wants to try it out, I can recommend “Tbilissimo” in Atalaya, near San Pedro.
9. Describe what your perfect home on the Costa del Sol would be like and where it would be.
A quiet urbanisation with well-kept communal gardens and pools, a gym, paddle and tennis courts, and a nice promenade nearby where we can go for long walks. I also like the properties at on Alhaurin Golf. (Check out our Golf Properties For Sale in Alhaurin).
10. If you were to appear on “Come dine with me”, what theme would you choose?
Whilst I like most types of food, I am not a great chef but a I do know a few Swedish and Mexican recipes though, I would prepare a variety of dishes for my guests to try out different flavours.
11. Who would be your perfect dinner guest?
My wife of course (just in case she reads this article!). Apart from her, it would be my cousins, who live in Poland so we do not see each other very often but we always have a great time together.
12. Who are your role models?
From a professional perspective, my current role model is Lee Eldridge, Founder and CEO of Chase Buchanan. Lee runs a highly successful international wealth management business based on transparency, where everyone, from the top down, is inspired and heard. He personally supports everyone in the team.
I also look up to elite basketball players such as Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry and Lebron James for their winning “can do” mentality and for pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. They are never complacent.
I also really respect people like David Attenborough for his lifetime achievements on environmental issues and for raising public awareness about climate change.
13. What would you like to ask your next “10 Minutes with” guest?
Do you have any habits/hobbies/food which you love, that you discovered once you moved to Spain?
Thank you John for taking the time to answer our quick questions!
If anyone reading this would like to take part in our "10 Minutes With..." Interviews then please contact us.
