Management team

Meet the management team behind Sterling

Management Team

David Johnson

Managing Director

David was raised in the Isle of Man and started his career in the Trust world with the service arm of an international trust company. In 1995 David established Sterling and has driven the growth of the business over the past 25 years by focusing on the delivery of quality service to each client.

Elected as an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Trustee Diploma) in 1992, David is a Member of the Institute of Directors, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and a Certified Financial Advisor. He also holds a number of ancillary financial qualifications.

David brings over 30 years of experience in the offshore financial services environment to his role of Managing Director of Sterling.

A chat with David

What was your first job?

My first formal job was as a deck-chair attendant on Douglas Seafront for Douglas Corporation – and my first pay packet for a 49 hour week was £19.20!

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?

Older and taller.

If you could give a younger version of yourself some advice what would it be?

Persevere with the guitar lessons.

What makes you happy?

Nearly everything – I am quite easily pleased.

What infuriates you?

Self-pity. Life is not always easy, but there will always be someone who is suffering more then you.

Name 5 guests dead or alive you would invite to a dinner party?

Peter Cook, Mohammed Ali, John Lennon, Jimmy Page, Winston Churchill.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Anything to do with music – listening or performing ! Walking . Playing squash.

Do you prefer Indian or Chinese food or another cuisine?

Indian – by far my favourite style of food. I love cooking it too!

Favorite meal ?

Roast Beef Sunday Lunch

What is the best invention ever?

Electricity – although I am not sure it is an invention in the purest sense ?

Have you take the toiletries from hotels when you leave?

Occasionally I do – especially if I am travelling on to another hotel – just in case!

Do you still watch cartoons?

Absolutely – Simpson, Futurama and Family Guy are all superb.

What was the first concert you attended?

I used to watch the John Harrison Band quite a lot as a kid – John is father of my friend and inspired us both to perform.

Can you change the oil in a car?

I can top it up when it is running low – does that count as a yes ?

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?

Robert Plant – I had an hour in the green room with him after his first concert on the Isle of Man. We had a “discussion” on politics. Lambert Opik was with us and he is/was quite well known at the time as well.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?

A pint 🙂

Describe yourself in 3 words?

I was once told by a person who studies hand writing that my signature indicates that I am either arrogant, flamboyant or aloof. Perhaps I am all three, but I would rather be known as friendly, modest and a genuine person (whatever one of those is).