The value of investment advice

Let’s be honest. Seeking advice on how to look after your money may not be as fun as the immediate thrill of spending it, but it could be a rewarding decision in the long run.

Research published last summer by the International Longevity Centre for Royal London found that those who received financial advice in the 2001-2007 period were around £40,000 better off than their unadvised peers by 2012-14. The report also found that 9 in 10 people were satisfied with the advice received, with the clear majority

deciding to go with their adviser’s recommendations. 

Advice is crucial

The UK’s regulator for financial service firms and financial markets, the Financial Conduct Authority, has also been keen to promote the value of professionals. In a speech late last year, the regulator’s supervision director Megan Butler stressed that financial advice is of “unprecedented importance” in the UK today.

This is particularly relevant in the context of the pension freedoms introduced in 2015, which means anyone

aged 55 and over can take the whole amount of their pension as a lump sum. With so many legitimate uses we can put our savings towards today, Butler said “the role of the financial adviser is today more important than ever”.

This is also true in the context of uncertainties; around Brexit, prospects for the UK economy, and the future

direction of investment markets. As we all know from the last global financial crisis, things change very quickly and can catch us off guard. Professional advisers, like us, are no different in this regard, but with your financial wellbeing at the heart of what we do, together we can create a plan aimed to help you profit in the good times and weather the storm against any possible downturns.

We’re here to help

So how can financial advice work best for you? As well as managing your wealth through investments, you may

also need specific help arranging a mortgage, or making sure you and your family are protected in the event of

something unexpected. We’re here to help advise on any, or a combination, of these.

That you are reading this article suggests you already have, at the very least, made the first step in seeking advice. Indeed, you may well have had a relationship with us for many years. Either way, we’re here to help you take the right steps helping to safeguard your financial future.

The value of investments and any income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the original amount invested.

If you’d like to set new financial goals or review your existing plan, please talk to us.

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