Client Process

Both we and our clients need to be happy with the nature of the proposed business relationship, so at an early stage we establish clarity about important issues such as cost, confidentiality and the scope of the work we will be doing for the client. We recognise that new clients may prefer to engage with us on a limited basis at first. In this way clients can experience what we do without making a long term commitment ‘up front’. In our experience this initial work does in most cases lead to an enduring and comprehensive business relationship.

In order to give the best advice we can, not only do we need to know about clients’ finances, but we also need to become expert in the client as a person. With this in mind initial meetings with clients focus on finding out as much information as possible about what they want to achieve and ‘where they are now’ in terms of their personal and family circumstances and current financial arrangements such as investments, insurances, wills, trusts, property ownership, sources of income and business interests. In addition and perhaps even more importantly, we want to know about goals and fears, their definition of financial independence, their views on private education for the family, or perhaps any aspirations to earn an income in a completely different way. It is only once we have this type of understanding that we can give advice that will genuinely help clients get what they want from life.

Having got to know our client we are ready to take some action, beginning with assessing how well a client’s existing arrangements match with their objectives. Invariably we find that clients have a collection of investments and insurance ‘products’ which have been sold to them in the past, but there is little cohesion, no overall view, and a lack of clarity as to ‘what it all adds up to’ in relation to their goals and objectives.

The first task is often for us to create clarity surrounding existing arrangements and recommend and implement changes in order to match clients’ intentions. Where possible we will implement changes on behalf of clients ourselves (e.g. insurances, investments, etc). Where necessary we will liaise with their other professional advisers to ensure the right arrangements are put in place in the most efficient and hassle free way possible. Where clients do not have existing professional advisers or where they are not happy with the level or quality of their advice, we can recommend advisers from our professional network.

We do not provide advice on mortgages or mortgage products. However, we work with other professionals to ensure client’s overall financial requirements are covered.

Major events in clients’ lives often generate the need for good financial advice. In addition specific opportunities or issues often arise from changes in clients circumstances. When such events or opportunities arise we offer support to clients through giving an understanding of the financial implications of the options available to them. Whether this be a property purchase, providing for unexpected emergencies, job changes, selling or buying businesses, unexpected inheritances or any other type of situation with financial implications, we will give advice and help with the implementation of any transactions or changes. Where necessary we will introduce the services of our broad network of professional advisers. In short we will ensure that clients are equipped to make the most of the financial alternatives available to them as a result of the change in circumstances.

Life is full of changes so it is important that arrangements that have been implemented remain appropriate for a client’s objectives and circumstances. With this in mind, we agree with clients an appropriate review programme either on an agreed annual basis or on an ongoing basis where clients choose to make us aware of any changes in their circumstances as they occur. In this way we can then review the effectiveness of clients’ financial arrangements, and make changes where required. Importantly, many clients will discuss with us in advance any changes in career or family circumstances so we can help them to evaluate the financial implications in the context of their goals and aspirations. For information regarding specific Investment Reviews, please see our ‘Investments’ page.