Questions you might have.
Straightforward answers to the things people often want to know before getting in touch.
Costs & Getting Started
Yes – there's no charge and no obligation for that first conversation, whether it's by phone, video or in person. You only pay if you decide to go ahead with advice afterwards, and that's always agreed and explained upfront before any work begins.
There isn't a single fixed fee – the right level of advice, and what it costs, depends on how complex your situation is. Once I understand what's actually needed, I'll agree the charges with you clearly before any chargeable work begins.
It's not necessarily about how much you've already built up in savings and investments – if you have a strong income and want to make the right choices for your future, that's enough reason to benefit from proper financial planning, even if your assets aren't extensive yet.
The value of advice depends on your situation, and no one can promise a particular financial result. Outside of any financial benefit, though, many people value the things that are harder to measure: a clear plan, someone to talk decisions through with, help avoiding costly mistakes, staying steady when markets get rocky, and the confidence of knowing their money is working towards what matters to them.
Working Together
That's not a problem – having a conversation with me doesn't mean changing anything or ending your existing relationship, and it's always good to have a second pair of eyes.
That's actually one of the most common starting points – tracking down and reviewing pensions from previous employers is a big part of what I do, even if you're not sure what you've got or where it all is.
Ongoing reviews are part of how I work – plans get revisited as your circumstances, goals and the markets change, not left untouched after the first recommendation.
Yes – many of my clients come to me as couples or families, and I'm always happy to have those conversations together rather than separately, especially where pensions, protection or estate planning affect you jointly.
Trust & Process
An independent adviser like me can research and recommend from the whole market, rather than being limited to a set list of products. A restricted or tied adviser can only offer from a limited panel, or from a single company – and it's a distinction worth knowing, because the title ‘financial adviser’ alone doesn't tell you which one you're speaking to. Being independent means my recommendations are based on what's right for you, not shaped by what a parent company sells.
It comes down to three things – how comfortable you are with ups and downs, how much you could actually afford to lose, and how much risk you actually need to meet your goals. All three need to line up, not just one, and getting there takes an extensive conversation before we agree on what that looks like for your situation.
If a regulated firm fails and can't pay a valid claim, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) may be able to pay compensation. For investments and investment advice this is up to £85,000 per person, per firm. Life and protection policies are generally covered at 100%, and most other insurance at 90%. FSCS doesn't cover falls in the value of your investments. See fscs.org.uk for details.
Provider strength and financial stability are always factors I consider before making a recommendation. I'll always make sure you understand exactly how anything you hold is protected before any recommendation is given, so you can make an informed decision.