Welsh Tour Guide Shows Why More Women Are Turning to Gold
For Rhian Mostyn Jones, wife of well-known Welsh farmer and broadcaster Gareth Wyn Jones, investing in gold was less about following a trend and more about taking back control of her finances.
Now in her 50s, Rhian works as a tour guide and also manages PR for her husband, while helping to run life at Ty’n Llwyfan, the family hill farm in Llanfairfechan, North Wales, which has been in Gareth’s family for more than 350 years. Juggling family life and business responsibilities, she had always trusted traditional banking, until a frustrating experience trying to access a relatively modest sum for a new venture changed everything.
“It was only around £6,000, but I was questioned repeatedly and couldn’t move my own money freely,” she recalls. “I had to go into the bank, answer questions for 45 minutes, and they still wouldn’t let me use the money for our new business. That’s when I started to lose confidence in the system.”
That experience proved to be a turning point.
Looking for an alternative, Rhian began exploring gold investment after seeing it discussed in the news and on social media. Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, combined with growing reliance on digital banking, she decided she wanted to invest in something tangible.
In 2022, she made her first investment of £5,000 in certified gold coins.
“With everything going on, and knowing how dependent we are on digital systems, I wanted something I could actually hold,” she explains. “If systems go down or access is restricted, gold is still there.”
Unlike savings accounts or ISAs, which she felt had delivered little return over the past decade, gold offered both long-term growth potential and flexibility. The coins can be sold individually if needed, whether to support the family, fund a new business venture, or help her children as they begin their careers.
“I’ve got three children, and it’s reassuring to know I can pass something on or access it quickly if needed,” she says.
Another major factor for Rhian is the tax efficiency of certain gold coins.
“Everyone is being taxed more these days,” she says. “People work hard all their lives, and when they save, it gets taxed and taxed again. With gold, I can protect my money for myself and for my children.”
For her daughter, who is studying photography at university, it offers a practical way to help her get started in the future, whether that means setting up a studio or launching a small business.
“She can cash in one or two coins, which could be much easier than trying to get a business loan,” Rhian explains.
Introduced through a trusted contact, Rhian chose Britannia Bullion for its straightforward and highly personal investment service.
Despite initial hurdles with her bank, which was reluctant to allow her to use her own money to purchase gold, she found the buying process simple and transparent. She now plans to invest further, seeing gold as part of a long-term strategy alongside the family’s farming and wider business interests.
Her experience reflects a broader shift in investment behaviour, with more women looking beyond traditional financial products in search of security, independence and growth.
For Rhian, the appeal is simple.
“There’s a freedom in it. Gold isn’t just about investment, it’s about keeping control of your own money, protecting it from taxes, and being able to use it when and how you need to, without having to ask your bank.”
Matthew Jones, Precious Metal Analyst at Britannia Bullion said, “Rhian’s story reflects what we are increasingly seeing across the UK, particularly among women seeking greater control and resilience in their financial planning. Gold offers a tangible store of value that sits outside the traditional banking system, while certain investment-grade coins can also provide tax advantages. For many investors, it is not simply about wealth preservation, but about financial independence and peace of mind for future generations.”