Wealth Insights
Long-form writing on the planning issues that come up in our practice. Written for financially literate readers such business owners, executives, founders and built up over time as a reference library rather than a feed.
Choosing a UK Wealth Manager: What HNW Clients Need to Evaluate
The biggest decision in choosing a UK wealth manager isn’t fees, it’s independent vs restricted. Why it matters, and how to evaluate the rest.
Wealth Management at the Higher Net Worth Level: What It Involves
At £1m+ of investable wealth, wealth management is seven coordinated planning conversations: investment, tax, IHT, governance, exit, retirement and risk.
Portfolio Diversification at the HNW Level: Where the Hidden Concentration Risks Sit
Most "diversified" UK HNW portfolios are concentrated in equity beta, UK geography, GBP, and investment grade. Which is where the real risks sit.
Wealth and Wellbeing: What the Research Says, and What It Means for HNW Planning
The "happiness plateaus at $75k" research has been updated. Killingsworth showed happiness rises with income for most. What it means for HNW planning.
Choosing an Inheritance Tax Specialist: What Good HNW IHT Planning Looks Like in Practice
Good HNW IHT planning is cross disciplinary, involving a wealth manager or financial planner, tax adviser, trust solicitor. Coordinated, not engaged separately. What to look for.
Family Governance and Wealth Education: Why Wealth Often Fails to Transfer Well, and What Families Can Do About It
70% of HNW family wealth is lost by the second generation. The cause isn’t tax, it’s communication. Family governance is the structural answer.
The Five Year Run Up to Retirement: What HNW Clients Should Be Doing Before They Stop Earning
What does retirement mean to you? It’s not just about clocking out, it’s about stepping into a life you’ve earned, backed by the wealth to enjoy it.
Tax Planning for Higher Earners in the UK: What's Changed, What Hasn't, and What to Focus On
Effective tax planning isn’t just about meeting obligations, it’s about protecting your assets and boosting your returns.
The Five Stages of Strategic Financial Planning at the Higher Net Worth Level
The five years before retirement is the most valuable planning window of an HNW client’s life. Pension, drawdown design, IHT, succession and what to do.
Post‑Exit Wealth: The Four Structures That Do the Heavy Lifting
For founders and executives after a liquidity event, four structures do most of the work: offshore bonds, FICs, gilts and trusts and how they fit together.
Trusts for Children: When They Work, What They Cost, and What to Put in Them
When it comes to providing for your children, most parents want more than just financial security, they want to pass on values, offer guidance, and ensure that wealth is used wisely.
Divorce Planning for HNW Couples: What Standish Changed and What to Review Now
The 2025 Supreme Court Standish decision clarified that pre-marital wealth, inheritance, and IHT transfers are non-matrimonial. What it means for HNW divorce planning.
Pensions and IHT from 6 April 2027: Does the Planning Equation Still Work?
From April 2027, unused pensions enter the IHT estate. The relief on the way in is unchanged. The IHT free wrapper is gone. What this means for HNW contributions.
How to Minimise Inheritance Tax in the UK: The 2026 Framework for HNW Clients
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often referred to as a voluntary tax because with the right planning, much of it can be mitigated. Yet each year, thousands of families find themselves paying substantial sums to HMRC, sometimes needlessly.
You Already Have Enough: What Retirement Planning Really Means for Affluent Clients
HNW retirement planning isn’t "will I have enough?" It’s "what is the money for?" The four questions that actually matter under the post-2027 IHT regime.
How to Actually Buy an Annuity in the UK: A Practical Guide
Most annuity buyers lose £15k to £40k of lifetime income by buying from their existing pension provider rather than using the Open Market Option. Here’s how to do it properly.
Life Insurance for UK Inheritance Tax: Cost vs Cover
A 60-year-old couple with £4m above the nil-rate bands faces £1.6m IHT on second death. Whole-of-life cover in trust at £25–40k a year addresses it. Here’s how.
Tax Planning for UK Entrepreneurs: The 2026/27 Framework for Active Owner-Managers
Three 2026 changes reshape UK owner-manager tax planning: dividend rates up to 10.75% and 35.75%, employer NIC at 15%, BPR capped at £2.5m. What it means in practice.
EIS, SEIS, and VCT for HNW Clients in 2026/27: What the Reforms Changed, and When Each Still Makes Sense
April 2026 reforms reshape UK venture capital schemes, EIS limits doubled, VCT relief cut to 20%. Where each scheme still makes sense for HNW clients.
Pension Planning for Executives and Business Owners, When the Rules Actually Bite
A £450k executive can have a £10k pension allowance. A £200k business owner has £60k plus carry forward. Same wealth bracket, ten-times-different limits. Here’s why.