As Boston Multi Family Office continues to grow, we’re proud to welcome new talent to our team. Starting a new role can be both exciting and challenging, and our latest blog series – Introducing Boston’s New Talent – aims to highlight the experiences of our newer team members as they navigate their first steps at Boston.
Through a series of Q&A’s, we’ll introduce you to the people behind the titles and share their unique perspectives on joining the business, adjusting to their new roles, and what they’ve learned so far.
Today, we’re pleased to introduce Saalim Gharda, our Mergers & Acquisitions Senior Manager.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Birmingham and I’m a third-generation Aston Villa supporter, following the team home and away whenever I can. Outside of work, I’ve always been into fitness: I play football regularly, spend time in the gym, and I’ve recently entered my first Hyrox event, to push myself further.
Professionally, I’m an ICAEW-qualified accountant. I began my career on the graduate scheme in Audit at KPMG, earning my ACA qualification while auditing a diverse range of businesses—from SMEs to large PLCs. I then moved into Financial Due Diligence at PwC, working on both vendor and buy-side transactions, as well as refinancing projects. Thereafter, I joined AMS in Mergers & Acquisitions, where I led, and completed multiple acquisitions and supported group strategy.
I’m highly ambitious and really looking forward to helping Boston Multi Family Office deliver on its exciting growth journey. I’m also grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career so far — their guidance & encouragement has been instrumental in getting me to where I am today.
Outside of work, I love to travel — Dubai is a regular destination for my wife and I, but New York is my favourite! I’m always on Skyscanner planning new trips, as well as complex multi-city flights. I’ve finally saved enough Avios points to fly business class for the first time, so I can actually get some sleep on the plane for once! In my downtime, I’m happiest spending time at home with my cat, Hugo.
What is your current role at Boston and when did you start?
I’m a Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Senior Manager at Boston, supporting Alex McNee, Group Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, on Group M&A and strategy. I joined in May of 2025 and work remotely from West Yorkshire, travelling to the office once or twice a month.
What attracted you to Boston?
From my very first conversation with Alex, I could tell Boston was different. Hearing about the firm’s evolution—from a single family office to a Multi Family Office and trust and corporate service provider, with ambitious growth plans—it immediately sparked my interest. It was clear this wasn’t a business standing still; it was on a journey.
What really struck me was the way Alex spoke about Boston—not just explaining what the firm does but sharing the purpose behind it and the vision for where it’s heading. That mix of openness, clarity, and ambition made the opportunity stand out. For me, the chance to contribute to taking Boston to the next stage of its growth wasn’t just appealing—it felt like the right story to be part of.
Did you have any pre-conceptions about the company prior to working here?
Coming from a Big 4 background, I hadn’t worked in this industry before —so it was a step into the unknown for me. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of culture or ways of working.
I also had questions around the remote-working model, having always been based in the office or hybrid working. To be completely honest, I’d never even been to the Isle of Man before — so there were definitely some unknowns at the start!
What were your first impressions when you started at Boston?
Starting at Boston was quite an experience—especially since I spent my first week on the Isle of Man. From the moment I walked through the door, everyone was incredibly welcoming and made me feel like part of the team right away.
The atmosphere was friendly but focused, and it was clear that people really cared about what they were doing and about supporting each other. That first week gave me a real sense of the company’s culture—professional, down-to-earth, and collaborative—and left me confident I’d made the right choice.
How would you describe the team/company’s culture so far?
Honestly, I was really impressed by how positive and supportive the culture is. I genuinely look forward to going to the Isle of Man office and spending a few days working alongside the team.
What stands out most is how approachable everyone is—from Alex and Katherine Ellis, Group CEO, to HR and the other department heads I met during my induction. There’s a real sense of openness and collaboration across the company, which makes it easy to ask questions, share ideas, and feel supported. It’s clear that the culture here is built on trust and respect, and that’s something that motivates me every day.
What is something new you have learnt since starting at Boston?
Since starting at Boston, I’ve had a great introduction to the industry and how high-net-worth individuals structure their wealth across trusts, companies, and other vehicles. It’s been interesting to see the practical side of how these structures are set up and managed, from both a regulatory and commercial perspective.
What makes Boston different to previous companies you may have worked for?
Being a Multi Family Office and trust and corporate service provider makes Boston quite different in itself, but what really stands out to me is the strong sense of togetherness across the business. That’s something that can be hard to find at larger firms like the Big 4, where size and internal bureaucracy often prevent that kind of close-knit culture.
What advice would you give to someone else starting their first day at Boston?
I’d say just be yourself and don’t be afraid to say hello to as many people as you can. Everyone’s approachable and getting to know people early on helps you settle in quickly.