We are delighted and proud to offer a fully independent financial and investment planning service and we advise upon all aspects of clients’ financial affairs. The Company also offers an Accountancy and Taxation service along with a Will Writing, Trusts, Estates and Probate Department.
The Company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is one of the largest and longest established Independent Financial Advisers in North Devon. We are regulated in one of the strictest available categories, being one of a very few authorised to undertake discretionary investment management and to hold client money. Consequently, we are required to maintain sizeable and very strict financial resources at all times. The Company’s accounts are subject to thorough independent audit and full accounts are published and submitted to the FCA. Also, the Financial Ombudsman Service and Financial Services’ Compensation Scheme apply to enhance investor protection against financial loss.
With four decades’ experience, we also boast some of the highest financial services’ qualifications in the country. Staff are encouraged and sponsored to achieve qualifications beyond the industry standard to ensure that we continue to deliver an excellent service to clients.
Success can be attributed largely to the Company’s commitment to clients and an approach which is renowned for a caring and sympathetic approach to their needs. This includes ongoing assessment and management of investments, a thorough understanding of financial markets and prudent management with long-term financial stability, using some very diversified strategies to optimise risk mitigation whilst not missing opportunities too.
We do not simply “sell products” – we provide a comprehensive and long-lasting service to individuals and their families. This is an important distinction and an approach that is becoming rarer in today’s fast-moving landscape.
This has led to many clients recommending family and friends to seek our advice – the ultimate endorsement of the quality of our services.
Ongoing Review Service
Ongoing reviews through regular contact and/or meetings are vital to ensure we are aware of any significant changes to your personal situation which may affect the way we manage your investments or the general financial guidance we give to you on an entirely complimentary basis. Naturally, we cannot be held responsible for any variances from this if you have not advised us despite our pressed encouragement to do so. If we do not hear from you for extended periods and despite our concerted efforts to contact you, we must consider how best to protect your interests and at the same time meet our regulatory obligations, at our discretion. Because of the regulatory requirements, in worst case scenarios, this could include termination of our arrangements and even liquidation of all or parts of your strategy regardless of the costs or tax circumstances which may apply and clearly we wish to avoid such a situation arising. There are no additional charges for reviews of your discretionarily managed investment strategies.
Instruction-only Services
Typically, an investment into a discretionary managed solution will follow a rigorous financial review with one of our advisers to determine the most suitable strategy for your individual needs. However, for the more experienced investor who wishes to invest with us without advice or guidance, this too is possible. Indeed, we are more than happy to accept your non-advised instructions into any of our discretionary managed investment solutions. This would be conditional on first providing requested information to the Firm to enable it to still satisfy its regulatory requirements. Updated information will also be required by the Firm periodically to enable it to continue providing investment management services. Of course, the Firm remains absolutely responsible for the ongoing management of the component assets for your account choice and you receive full regulatory protection regarding that.