Our Team
Meet the experts at Futura.
Paul Shanahan, Futura’s founder and director. Born and raised in southern Ireland, Paul moved to Scotland in his 20’s and has spent most of his life living and working in the Aberdeen area.
His career in finance started in General Insurance, specialising in looking after the unique needs of local companies and employees in a variety of industries including the oil and gas sectors. In the late 1990s Paul moved into private practice, setting up Futura and continuing to expand on his deep knowledge of corporate clients, particularly those involved in the industries that are unique or fundamental to the East Scottish economy, such as marine, technology and the offshore energy sectors.
Paul is passionate about wellbeing; whether that’s financial wellness, looking after your business, your employees or your families, or simply about conducting your business in a way that makes you feel that you’re doing the right thing – it sits at the very heart of what Futura is about and the service its team provides.
Outside of work, Paul’s a keen golfer and enjoys, skiing, watching rugby and keeping fit. He also loves a good bottle of wine and his holidays often involve soaking up the sun in Portuguese vineyards with his family.
Paul Vavangas is one of Futura’s directors. Paul has enjoyed a varied career in financial services, starting out as a mortgage adviser and subsequently moving into private banking. Latterly, he became an adviser for a major life company, before joining the team at Futura. Paul heads up our Private Client Service, and draws on his broad experience to create and provide an excellent, personal service to our clients and their families, many of whom span multiple generations.
At the heart of Paul’s approach is a focus on financial wellbeing. Recognising that many investors would love to know the extent to which they can enjoy their wealth – or use it to give tangible benefit to others – without fear of the future, he works closely with clients to help them understand what their money can do for them, and how they can use it purposefully in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Paul’s innovative approach and deep, trusted relationships with his clients has made a significant, thought-provoking, and sometimes life-changing difference to many of them, and is the reason why our clients often refer him to their friends and family.
Outside of work, Paul is very much a family man and a keen sports and fitness enthusiast.
Kerry Milne is Futura’s Operations Manager. With a career spanning over 30 years, Kerry is a Competency professional and brings significant experience in QHSE, operational support and personnel management, having held pivotal positions in the marine and oil & gas industries.
In her role, Kerry is responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations with a focus on compliance, competency, and QHSE. Kerry will also ensure that Futura’s clients receive the very best financial products and services available in today’s competitive market.
Laura is part of our Corporate Client Services team, providing administrative support with the initial set-up and ongoing servicing of our group schemes. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Laura has an excellent understanding of our industry and benefits both Futura and our clients with her strong organisational skills and an eye for detail. The focus of Laura’s role is on effective, efficient delivery and communications, to keep things flowing smoothly and reduce the time and input required from our clients in the ongoing maintenance of their financial arrangements.
Prior to her time with Futura, Laura held a variety of roles with leading independent financial planning organisations as well as international banks; broadening her experience in operational support and portfolio management.
Laura prides herself on intuitively understanding the unique needs of each client and, when not in the office, she likes to spend time with family and friends, and energetic walks with her dog.