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.
Financial Planning Through and After Divorce: What’s Specifically Different at the Higher Net Worth
Pension sharing on £2m+ pensions. Business valuation in matrimonial proceedings. The interaction between exit timing and the financial settlement. The CGT consequences of asset transfers.
What You’re Actually Paying For in Wealth Management, And What You Shouldn’t Be
Two £3m clients can pay £15-25k a year more in fees depending on the model, most of it invisible. Here’s the five-layer breakdown of what you’re actually paying for.
The Family Investment Company: How It Works and When It Makes Sense
The Family Investment Company (FIC) has become one of the most discussed wealth management structures for high-net-worth families in the last decade. It is also one of the most misunderstood: either oversold as a simple IHT solution or dismissed as too complex for the benefit it provides. This article explains what a FIC is, how the tax advantages work, and the specific scenarios where it genuinely adds value and where it does not.
The Psychology of Post-Exit Investing: Why High Achievers Can Make Costly Mistakes
The business owners who make the most costly mistakes post-exit are rarely the unsophisticated ones. They are, more often, the most successful, the ones who built significant businesses through intelligence, decisiveness, and a strong track record of being right.
What to Do With the Money: A Framework for Deploying Exit Proceeds
Selling a business creates a problem that most financial planning conversations are not well-equipped to solve. Not the investment problem, the psychological problem of suddenly having a large, liquid sum of money that needs to become something different from what it has been.
Understanding fees for wealth management: Transparency that builds trust
Understanding what you’re paying and what you’re receiving in return is essential. Clear, transparent fees not only help you gauge value but also foster trust, ensuring you're in a relationship built on honesty and shared goals.
Should I consolidate my pensions? Your guide to a smarter retirement
Pension consolidation, or combining your multiple pensions into a single, well-managed scheme, is often touted as a way to regain control and improve efficiency. But is it always the right move?
Financial advice: What is the role of a financial adviser?
In a world of economic complexity and ever-changing tax rules, the role of a financial adviser has never been more vital.
Buying an annuity: Turning pensions into guaranteed income
When used strategically, buying an annuity can form the foundation of a stable retirement income plan.
Trusts and estate planning: Protect and preserve your wealth
When it comes to passing on your wealth, careful use of trusts and estate planning is not just beneficial, it’s essential.
Life insurance for inheritance tax: Protect your estate
Life insurance used intelligently, can act as a financial safety net providing liquidity, reducing stress for your beneficiaries, and ensuring your legacy is passed on as intended.
Beware of financial influencers: How to find trusted advice
Social media is flooded with “finfluencers” promising easy money and quick riches. But one bad tip could cost you dearly. We’re here to help you spot the real experts and avoid the pretenders.
The art of wealth management: Where vision meets value
A wealth manager is more than just a numbers expert, they’re your financial co-pilot who crafts a bespoke plan to help you achieve your unique goals.
Demystifying fees for wealth management: What’s fair value?
Understanding what you’re paying for and how it benefits you can transform fees from a mysterious expense into a calculated investment in your financial future.