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About us

Six steps and no surprises.

Financial advice has a reputation for being opaque. Here is exactly what happens, in what order and where you get to decide.

Our process

You can stop at any of them.

Financial advice has a reputation for being opaque and a good deal of that reputation is earned. We would rather you knew exactly what happens, in what order and where the decisions are.

The first two steps cost you nothing. Nothing is implemented until step five and nothing is implemented that you have not read, understood and agreed to in writing.

If at any point you decide it is not for you, that is a perfectly reasonable outcome and we will not chase you about it.

Live life by planning well.

Our motto, since 1985

Step by step

What working with us actually involves.

  1. Step 1

    First conversation

    A chat, at our office, your home or over video. We listen, you ask questions. There is no charge and no obligation and if we can't help we'll say so.

  2. Step 2

    Understanding you

    What you have, what you owe, what you want and how you feel about risk. This is the part most people find surprisingly useful in itself.

  3. Step 3

    Research & analysis

    We review your existing plans, charges and funds against the whole of the market. Being independent means nothing is off the table.

  4. Step 4

    Your recommendations

    A written report in plain English setting out what we suggest, what it costs and why. You take it away and think about it.

  5. Step 5

    Putting it in place

    Only once you're happy. We handle the paperwork, the providers and the chasing, which is usually the tedious bit.

  6. Step 6

    Ongoing reviews

    If you'd like us to, we'll review everything at least once a year and tell you honestly if nothing needs changing.

What you can expect

Three things we commit to.

I

Continuity, wherever possible

We will always endeavour to keep you with the adviser you first met. If they are away, whoever helps you will already know your file.

II

Plain English, in writing

If you leave a meeting unable to explain your own plan to someone else, we have not done our job properly.

III

We will tell you no

Where it is not in your interests to proceed, we are obliged to say so. Including when proceeding would earn us a fee.

Common questions

Things people ask us about this.

How long does the whole process take?

From first conversation to implementation is commonly six to ten weeks. The slow part is almost always waiting on your existing providers — obtaining written confirmation of what you hold typically takes four to six weeks and occasionally up to twelve. We do the chasing, but we cannot make a provider reply faster than it chooses to.

What do I need to bring to the first meeting?

Whatever you have. Pension statements, policy documents, a rough idea of what you earn and spend. If you have nothing at all, come anyway — we can work from there.

When do I have to pay anything?

Mark charges an initial fee of £175 for the first meeting, as those meetings are often more complex and time consuming, but Paul and Dan do not.

At the first meeting we will give you our Terms of Business and contact details and confirm what our costs will be, then give you time to think about it before deciding whether you wish to go ahead. See our costs page.

What if I want to think about it?

There is no obligation to proceed at any stage if you do not wish to do so. We do not work to sales targets and nobody here will chase you.

What does the ongoing review involve?

Every December we write to you with an annual investment report and up-to-date valuations. Separately, we offer you a review meeting at least once a year — in person, by phone or over video, whichever suits — at no additional charge.

The review covers performance, charges, your objectives and whether your attitude to risk has shifted as a standard. We then review your products, providers and fund choice and make recommendations on whether anything needs changing. This often includes changes to the fund choice, which is included in the cost of your ongoing service.

Can I stop the ongoing service later?

Yes, at any time. It is an ongoing arrangement, not a contract you are locked into.

Our services

Most people need more than one of these.

Advice areas overlap. Part of our job is spotting which ones actually apply to you.

Ready for the first conversation?

It costs nothing and commits you to nothing. Tell us when suits and an adviser will ring you back.

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