How We Do Financial Planning

How We Help

A plan to achieve your goals

Our passion is to build a long-lasting relationship with you and to give you the right advice to help you meet your financial goals.

As a Chartered Fellow and Certified Pension Expert, the financial areas we can help you with are:

Retirement Planning (including Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit/Final Salary, SIPP and SSAS Pensions)
ISAs
Onshore and Offshore Investment Planning
Inheritance Tax Planning
Trusts
Life Assurance
Critical Illness
Income Replacement Protection

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

SSAS products and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

These types of pensions will not be suitable for everybody, as they require investors to be happy in making their own investment decisions and may incur costs not usually associated with other types of pension schemes. There are strict rules on what property can be held and how. The value may fall as well as rise and you may get back less than the amount invested. Pension and tax rules can change at any time and will be dependent on individual circumstances.

TOGETHER WE’LL PROSPER

Powering your future

It isn’t the amount of wealth that matters most, it’s what you do with it that counts.

With our help, your wealth becomes the fuel that powers your future – a means of enjoying the life you want and looking after those you love. Whatever your goals and wherever you are in life, we build a financial plan that’s fit for the weeks, months and years ahead.

Effective planning to create the future you want.

What will your future be like? It can be easy to think of the future as being unknowable, but planning ahead can smooth out many of the uncertainties and help your goals and aspirations become reality. When we work with you, we always encourage you to consider the future you want – and then we help make it happen.

Planning helps you…

Identify goals and aspirations
Make important decisions today
Look after those you love
Look forward to the future with confidence

A sound investment in your future.

Investing for the future is fundamental to most people’s financial plans, but understanding how, why and what to invest in requires specialist expertise. We understand that your ideal investment strategy depends on many factors, but by getting to know your reasons for investing and your attitude to risk, we can give you the comprehensive advice you need.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up.

You may get back less than you invested.

Our investment planning helps you…

Understand your investment options
Spread your investments across the most appropriate assets
Make the right choices for you and your family
Build a balanced, diversified investment solution

Preparing for a richer retirement.

Most people like to look ahead to an enjoyable retirement. For many, it represents the stage of life that will give them time and space to pursue their personal passions. But it takes planning to achieve the retirement you want, and not everyone has the foresight to make the right choices today.

Retirement planning helps you…

Prepare for the future you want
Optimise your financial arrangements today
Plan for life’s ups and downs
Look forward to retirement with confidence

Protection for you and your loved ones.

We can’t see into the future, but we can help you plan for events that might happen and that could have a major impact on you, your family and your wealth. By understanding your situation in detail, we can help protect you from life’s many storms, both minor and major.

Protection planning helps you…

Prepare for life’s uncertain events
Protect your wealth from excessive tax liabilities
Shield your income from the impact of illness
Protect your loved ones if anything happens to you

Although you may have firm ideas about who will benefit from your wealth in the event of your death, making sure your intentions are carried out smoothly can be complex.

All kinds of events can end up knocking your plans off course, and it takes expert advice to make sure your wealth is protected for future generations.

Our team guides you through the process of planning the legacy you will one day leave behind. We consider the effects of inheritance tax and the possibility of unexpected events, making sure your wealth is retained and protected for those you love.

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time.

The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

Legacy Planning helps you…

Make sure your wealth is passed on in the way you want
Minimise inheritance tax and capital gains tax
Create a legacy that passes to multiple generations
Protect your estate and assets

A firm financial footing for your business.

Running a business is hard work and it’s important to ensure your hard work is creating financial security. You and your employees all rely on your business, and taking steps to secure its financial future is all part of being successful at what you do.

Financial planning for your business helps you…

Secure your business’s financial future
Look after your finances and those of your employees
Build a stronger, healthier business
Feel confident that your business is well prepared for success

Cost of Residential and Nursing Care

The average cost of staying in a UK residential care home is currently around £1,406 per week, increasing to £1,558 for nursing care. It’s important to consider and plan for the potential need for long-term care, to ensure your finances can support you for as long as necessary.

While government assistance is available, it is primarily aimed at individuals with limited savings. For example, in England, if you have savings over £23,250 (with some variation across the UK), you are unlikely to qualify for state-funded care support.

Making decisions about long-term care can be emotionally challenging, and the choices can feel overwhelming. That’s why we specialise in long-term care planning and financial advice, offering practical guidance delivered with empathy and understanding.

Having the confidence that your money will last as long as you—or your loved ones—need it provides genuine peace of mind.

Understanding the Solutions

Paying for care can be one of the most significant financial commitments a family faces. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities and avoid common pitfalls.

Care fees can add up quickly over time, and it’s easy to see your savings diminish faster than expected.

No one wants to see a lifetime’s worth of assets used up entirely on care costs. Sadly, many people don’t realise they had other options until their money is already gone.

Just as we regularly seek professional advice for mortgages or pensions, it’s just as vital to consult experts when planning for long-term care costs.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We can help you make sense of:

How the care system operates
The benefits you may be entitled to and whether you’re claiming them
Your responsibilities under a Power of Attorney
The role of your local authority and what they are required to do
Care needs and financial assessments
Options relating to your property
What to do if you believe the NHS should cover the cost of care
The implications of care contracts
Your choices for funding care

What my clients say Reclaimed income tax up to 60%

I approached Richard to consolidate a number of historic pensions from previous employers which were proving difficult to administer. Richard was able to move these into one manageable pension. From there he has also given me guidance on how best reduce my income tax. With Richards advice I have been able to reclaim income tax up to 60%

Simon Bidmead Supply Chain Manager

What my clients say Personal, trustworthy relationship.

I started my fund with Sovereign Wealth over 10 years ago and connot speak highly enough of the service and help I have received from Richard, with his razor-sharp mind, he has advised and helped me develop my portfolio. All this combined with a warm and effusive personality which immediately adds a personal, trustworthy relationship for me as a client. I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone.

Anthony David Rowlands Food Industry Consultant

What my clients say Professional and informative.

Richard has been managing our wealth for the last 4 years. he has helped us with guidance on succession planning – by looking at strategies to reduce Inheritance Tax through Trust Planning. We have found Richard to be very professional and informative. He always takes the time to explain every aspect of the process we are unsure about and we would not hesitate to recommend his services.

Sally & Craig Linsner Retired

What my clients say Extremely focussed on my best investment interests.

I have always found Richard to be thoroughly professional, confident, courteous and extremely focussed on my best investment interests. He maintains a high degree of confidentiality, values my time and is proactive in his advice whilst always understanding that I am the client. I would have no hesitation in recommending his expertise and service to others.

David Wesson Chief Executive

What my clients say Professional and diligent.

Richard has helped me with my pension planning, tax mitigation and insurance needs. By identifying the loss of my personal allowance for income tax, he helped me to reclaim up to 60% in tax relief through pension planning. I have found Richard to be very professional and diligent in his approach and have been extremely happy with the results.

Richard Hutchinson Director

What my clients say His support is always exceptional.

I have been a client of Richard for the past 4 years and cannot fault his service. We have regular reviews and his support is always exceptional. He has been particularly helpful in advising my on IHT and Trust Planning, along with providing me with an excellent balance of income and capital growth from my investments. I would not hesitate to recommend Richard to anyone.

Lesley Shearman Retired

What my clients say Impressed by his knowledge and understanding.

I was referred to Richard by a friend who is an existing client of his and recommended his service. I have since been investing through Richard for the last 2 years and have been impressed by his knowledge and understanding of investment markets and platforms. And more importantly he explains it in terms that anyone can understand.

Richard Lehane Physio

What my clients say Did a great job.

Richard was my relationship manager in his time with HSBC in Hong Kong. He did a great job and managed my banking issues very well. He was always available, coming up with ideas and solutions in all my questions and required actions. I wish Richard good luck and the fullest success!

Wolfram Geisler Retired

What my clients say Always provides the most appropriate advice.

Richard helped my husband and me to set up our private pensions to save for our retirement. He reviewed our existing pensions and gave advice on the suitability of consolidation. He took time to explain everything to us in layman’s terms. We took comfort from the fact he advised us to maintain some of our existing pensions, he always provides the most appropriate advice.

Nicola Kay Operations Manager

What my clients say Highly recommend his services

Richard is a very thorough management consultant, who has helped me over the years in a number of areas of financial planning – both personal and business. He has guided me through my future savings plans via pensions and ISA’s and protected my liabilities with business insurance – at the same time reducing my corporaton tax liabilites. Would highly recommend his services. Thanks Richard and team!

Marc Cunliffe Director

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