We chat to Sebastian Roiz de S’a, founder of Hive Financial Planning and sponsor of the RWA Open in 2023 and 2024, about his love of art and the rewards of being an RWA Patron…
“…For me, art encapsulates the beating heart of a community….It provides an escape from our busy lives, captures our imaginations, and conveys a story in a single moment in time. Art connects people in the face of division and personal struggle…. The RWA makes art accessible for everyone…”
With public grants virtually non-existent, volunteers, Friends and Patrons are vital to the continued existence of the RWA. Sebastian Roiz de S’a is one such Patron.
A former stockbroker turned financial adviser, Sebastian founded Hive Financial Planning in 2022 and established himself as a partner practice with St James’s Place in Bristol. He moved from London to Bristol in 2003 for university and, like many a Bristol graduate, he never left. He now lives in the city with his wife Catherine and their two very young daughters, Grace and Ferne.
In 2023 Hive Financial Planning sponsored the 170 Open, and will sponsor the 171 Open later this year. We spoke to Sebastian about art, his love of the RWA and why it’s so important – and rewarding – to become a Patron…
How did you discover the RWA, and what made you decide to become a patron?
I discovered the RWA through my business launch. We launched Hive Financial Planning in November 2022, holding the event during the RWA’s 169th Annual Open Exhibition. I immediately fell in love with the space—I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been in before, especially after living in Bristol for 20 years. I felt like I’d been missing out on one of Bristol’s hidden gems.
Having sat on the committee of a charitable foundation before, I know that cashflow is one of the keys to success (trust the financial adviser to make it about money, right!). The RWA, like many charities, appreciates one-off donations, but the regular contributions help them project and plan ahead more reliably. I wanted to help any way I could, so becoming a patron was the next logical step.
Your practice Hive Financial Planning sponsored the RWA 170 Open in 2023. How was that experience for you?
Being able to sponsor the Annual Open Exhibition was an honour and a privilege. It’s such a joy to be part of the community of staff and volunteers at the RWA, and working with people like director Alison Bevan is always a fantastic experience. I’m really proud to have Hive Financial Planning linked with such an inclusive, open event in the RWA’s calendar.
In fact, I loved it so much, I agreed to sponsor it again this year.
As part of the sponsorship, you are given the ability to host an event in the main gallery space and I hosted a Christmas Drinks event for Hive Financial Planning, (minced pies and mulled wine!), and many of the attendees had never been inside before. It can be so easy to assume people know about the RWA, so it’s always a pleasure to see people’s faces as they enter the space for the first time.
Why do you sponsor an exhibition?
For me, art encapsulates the beating heart of a community. The RWA makes art accessible for everyone, encouraging meaningful and purposeful engagement. Art is a lifeline for some people, whether they create it or consume it. It provides an escape from our busy lives, captures our imaginations, and conveys a story in a single moment in time. Art connects people in the face of division and personal struggle.
It is my honour that Hive Financial Planning can sponsor the 171 Annual Open Exhibition, for the second year in a row. Sponsoring an exhibition is a great way to help raise the profile of my business while also giving back to an organisation and cause I’m so passionate about. For me, it’s a way of thanking the RWA for their tireless efforts in promoting artists and creativity. This is an opportunity to collectively celebrate the fantastic artists who pour their hearts and souls into creating the incredible work seen in the exhibition. I hope, through Hive’s sponsorship, we can do our bit to secure the RWA’s incredible work, and further the positive impact they make for generations to come.
Do you collect art? Any particular favourite artists or genres?
I do have art at home! (I call it a collection, though my wife might say obsession). I think my tastes are quite varied in terms of genre. I’ve noticed a lot of my pieces have text in them, and they’d probably be considered contemporary.
Out of them, though, it’s hard to pick a favourite. If I had to choose, I’d have to narrow it down to two artists. The first is David Shrigley—I’ve got several of his works around the house. The other is Duncan Jago (Mr Jago), a Bristol-based artist. I only have one piece of his (a print) in my collection, but his work is so evocative, sometimes I find myself just staring at it. It stirs something in me that I can’t quite explain—I think that’s part of the magic of art.
What does the RWA mean to you – and why should people become Patrons of the RWA?
The RWA is woven into the fabric of my personal and professional life. It was the launch place of my business. My second daughter, born two weeks before, was present at the opening of the 170th Annual Open Exhibition. My eldest daughter and I come to the RWA on Sundays after our weekly swim to play in the family room. And I have meetings here whenever I can! I believe Bristol is a better place for having the RWA.
The RWA does amazing community outreach work. The space they offer is exceptional, and it connects people from all walks of life. Being a patron, I know I’m doing my part to keep the doors open so the RWA will be around for years to come. Everyone deserves to be able to come here and engage with this space. Supporting the RWA keeps people connected, and every patron—today and tomorrow—plays an integral role in upholding this pillar of the community.
Could you become a Patron of the RWA? Levels start at £300 per annum and benefits include unlimited free entry and exclusive events. All Patrons automatically also become Friends, with all the associated benefits, at no extra cost. More information about the benefits is here.
The Floating Circle 