What we do

What is Financial Planning?

Effective financial planning can truly change lives for the better.

There is a common misconception that planners focus on financial products. It’s true that you deserve the best pension and ISA, and as independent advisers we do that. However, financial planning is so much more.

We recognise the importance of bringing meaning to your money, and how it can positively shape your future. After all, it is decisions around money that often determine the quality of your life. As skilled planners we can guide and support you to make the right informed decisions that lead to amazing outcomes.

Our careful step-by-step process takes you from where you are to where you want to be in the future.

By understanding what is most important to you, we can help to address those burning questions:

How much money is enough?
Is there a risk that I outlive my money?

A professional financial plan will liberate your aspirations and deliver you the re-assurance and peace of mind that they are realistic and achievable.

How we complete your financial plan

1 Discovery

We spend time to really get to know you. Your hopes and dreams, your goals, and aspirations. Only then can we determine whether we are best placed to assist. As with any long-term professional relationship the ‘fit and feel’ is crucial to its success to ensure you remain on track to meet your goals.

Once we agree to work together, we can begin to gather detailed information to begin building your financial plan.

2 Research

We undertake a detailed analysis of any existing pensions and investments, liaising directly with any providers on your behalf, to understand their strengths and weaknesses and whether they are class leading and if not, how they can be improved.

3 Plan

We then build your cash flow using our sophisticated software. This will incorporate important future events e.g. retirement, travel plans and gifts to your family. We also include your existing assets, along with any additional investments that you are planning. This will clearly highlight any shortfalls in your current planning so that we can calculate what needs to be done to propel you towards a successful future.

We’ll then meet again to present the plan. Of course, you’re bound to have to questions; we’ll make sure those are addressed and, if necessary, amend the plan before moving to the next stage.

We will then complete a full advice report that includes our recommendations as to which planning actions we believe will result in you achieving your goals and objectives.

Looking at my cashflow really gave me a good picture of my financial future, thank you.
Miss. P. M.

The Financial Conduct Authority do not regulate cash flow planning.

4 Implementation

Once we’ve agreed the best way forward, we will put your plan into action. Our team will work to implement the recommendations we have agreed. If required, we will work closely with any other professional advisers, including solicitors and accountants.

5 Ongoing

Financial planning is an ongoing process: things could change, and you may re-evaluate your priorities. Through regular reviews we can ensure you will continue to meet your future objectives by adjusting your planning accordingly.

We have enjoyed a long-lasting relationship with many of our clients. So whatever challenges arise along the way, through our deep understanding of you and your family, we ensure that you remain on track.

Our Services

Dealing with money in the lead up to, or in the months following, one of the most emotional events of your life, can side swipe even the strongest of people.

Dignity, poise, resilience and strength coupled with grief, confusion, anger and relief to name just a few feelings – each making their presence known, often unannounced as you try to navigate the way forward for yourself and your loved ones.

How is my life going to look? Where will we live, can I live the life we have worked so hard to achieve? Do I have enough? What is enough? Am I asking too much or too little of myself and others?

Carrie and Linda, you were both so incredibly helpful and reassuring to me at a time when I felt completely overwhelmed and terrified, and I will never forget your kindness and patience with me.
Ms. M.W.

With emotions running high, it can be challenging to make correct, consistent & logical decisions that give you the best financial outcome for your future to be the way you want it to be – that’s what we do.

We are able to show you clearly and concisely, jargon free, exactly how to organise your finances and your money to do their very best for you, now, and for your future. And once you’re happy with your plan, we will implement it all for you, so you can concentrate on everything else that needs your focus. You do you, with your professional financial planners close by in your pocket.

Not only can we get the financial planning perfect for you, we also know lots of other professionals who can help you with all the other aspects of the new world you are learning to live in.

Estate Planning to minimise inheritance tax

In general, the nation’s families as a whole are much wealthier than ever before.

Inevitably, as this wealth builds up then at some point that wealth must cascade down to future generations. We are on the cusp of a massive intergenerational wealth transfer.

Our high-quality advice ensures that where possible any inheritance tax is reduced or mitigated, leaving your loved ones better off.

Importantly, we only ever look at ways of reducing inheritance tax after we have secured your own financial future.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning or tax planning.

Is your money working as hard as you?

By investing your money, you can make it grow in real terms, protecting you against the ravages of inflation. Focused on your personal goals and risk appetite we design your personal investment strategy.

Investment Advice Service

As independent advisors, we’ve spent many years helping clients with their investments. Our expert investment advice is tailored to meet your specific needs and enables you make smarter decisions with your money.

Our goal is to demystify the complex world of investing. Successful investing requires well diversified portfolios, having the right investment mix, and where possible keeping your costs low. Through our in depth analysis we can help answer some important questions.

How your investments are performing – what are the ‘risk adjusted’ returns
What are your investment charges – this dilutes performance, are they value for money
Are they tax-efficient – unnecessary tax paid means less in your pocket
Are they invested ethically – is this important to you?

Armed with these important answers, enables you to make the correct informed decisions. Once structured, with regular review meetings, we will make sure you remain on track to achieve your future goals.

The value of your investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Will you retire happy?

Pensions can be confusing, there are many different types with varying rules. You may have multiple pension plans acquired over many years and are unsure what to do with them?

As pension experts, we know that it can be difficult to keep track of and manage your pensions effectively.

We can make your money work as hard as you do. We will ensure your pensions are in the right place and maximising your returns.

Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of clients sort their pensions, helping them achieve financial independence sooner than they thought possible.

My business partner and I met Carrie when she worked at the Bank. She gave us really good advice but it was restricted. When Carrie became independent it was just fantastic and ever since we have recommended her to our children, colleagues and contacts. It’s like having a helpful professional friend. Everything is well explained and makes complete sense. Pensions are normally a fairly turgid subject but Carrie makes it quite fun. Our business and personal financial lives are all joined up, which I think it’s absolutely brilliant.
J.H, Estate Agent, Hampsteads

Our Pension Review Service

We can demystify your pensions and confirm which are good and those that can be improved upon. With your permission we can confirm the following from your current pensions and report back.

How are they performing
Do you have enhanced terms or useful guarantees
The scheme charges
Retirement options and expected income
What happens if you die

At the end you will have a much clearer understanding of what you’ve got and what it means for your future.

This will enable you to make the correct informed decision to ensure a brighter future.

A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can down as well as up which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation which are subject to change. You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.

Support when you need it most

We work only with the most trusted insurers in the industry, to make sure our clients receive the best service during some of the most challenging times of their lives.

What if I can’t work

It’s very common for people to consider what would happen if they died, with respect to their family and home life – but something far more common is not being able to work due to sickness or injury. Have you considered what you would do if you couldn’t work for over 6 months?

What happens if I die?

We help our clients answer these hard questions, our job is to give you peace of mind, so your family don’t have to worry about money if the worst were to happen.

What about my children and my loved ones?

At the heart of any family’s discussion surrounding protection, is their children. With the right planning, we can help you ensure that they are financially taken care of if something happens to either of you.

I’m so grateful of your expertise and advice regarding our protection requirements, we finally have the peace of mind we had hoped for.
Mr. D. H.

Existing Cover?

Our eagle-eyed team can establish if any existing insurance you have is suitable for your needs, both in terms of ongoing cost to you and the type/level of cover you have. You don’t want to be paying for something you don’t need!

For all budgets

For as little as a Netflix subscription, you may be surprised as to how much cover you are able to get. We have solutions for all budgets and being fully independent, we are not limited as to which insurers we can recommend to our clients.

Fancy a chat over a coffee?