Recommendation for Financial Adviser needed? Post Reply

[SunnyDay]

Hello,

I will be turning 40 this year and this has prompted me think about my finances. Can anyone recommend a good independent Financial Adviser? I mainly need to sort out my pensions, I have a number of schemes accumulated from the various places that I have worked, and also need to think ahead and plan for my children.

I am looking for someone who will charge a fixed fee rather than a percentage of assets. Or is this not common?

Many thanks!

[millymoo]

Following as also keen to address this myself for very similar reasons.

[Beachbum]

I am keen to know too! I have worked with someone in the states but I would like to move things pounds as I don't think we will be moving back..

[Nims]

We use Chris Baker from St. James' Place and very pleased with his services so far. He's also fairly local - lives in Balham.
http://www.sjpp.co.uk/chrisbaker/

[Nightingale]

We have used Matt Brennan at The Penny Group for a number of years and would recommend him. We've used him to amalgamate pensions and more general pensions advise as well as advise on other products such as life insurance.
Matthew.brennan@thepennygroup.co.uk

[SunnyDay]

Great, thank you for your replies!

[FLH03]

Lessons bitterly learnt - One area to look at with any financial adviser you are meeting now is how they/their organisation deal with the administration, handling, and payout of the pensions, insurances etc post the assured/insured's death.

Sorry to be a bit morbid, but I had an awful time with one of these reputable companies after my father died, he had taken out various pension, life insurance, gift plan schemes with an adviser - very much personal contact and service, tax advice and personal planning for him at the time, doing the right thing he felt for his family, but after he died, his adviser, of a similar generation, had retired and we were left dealing with a central administration centre that was anonymous, difficult, incompetent, if not negligent. You need to understand how your adviser fits in (sales and profit centre and management wise) to any larger organisation, many claim to be independent, but are part of one of the big banking groups.

[JRobinson1]

Hello there,

Speak to James Leslie of JDL Wealth Management (partner of St James's Place). He's local, friendly and really knows his stuff!

Email address: James.leslie@sjpp.co.uk
Website: www.jdlwealthmanagement.co.uk

Hope this helps.

[actuallyadad]

St James place not actually that good - they are just SALES people, they don't really provide advice or actually tell you what to do. They just give you options and you pick one, but they don't really help you choose. Basically they are like estate agents for financial products.

Once you put your money in it just sits there and you never hear from them again, they don't actually actively manage your portfolio or call up and offer a review.

(I have been a client of theirs for 7 years now).

ALSO you CAN negotiate their fees down - don't pay the headline price.

[claphamite]

http://www.scottsdaleifa.co.uk/AndrewPenfold

My wife and I have used Andrew for about 12 years. Based in Pall Mall but has a number of clients in Clapham/Battersea area.

[CatrinTait]

Hi,

My husband Greg is an Independent Financial Planner, he works for Chase de Vere.

He can help with pensions and any other financial planning queries you may have. He will also explain the options available for how to pay for advice. He is a lifestyle planner so doesn't try and sell you specific products

His number is 07725 620831, greg.tait@chasedevere.co.uk

Catrin

[millymoo]

Thanks for the suggestions so far...(had the "sales" pitch from SJP already). Keen to hear recommendations for any female financial advisers out there.

[batterseaparent]

I am happy to offer my advice for free on this topic if anyone is interested. I have consolidated all my pensions into one SIPP. I know what is involved in the process, the pitfalls and costs. I am a Battersea dad living off Northcote Road with two children and am investing for their future so can offer advice on this topic as well.

[Annabel (admin)]

Two people I've had recommended...

Will Townrow at Vestra

http://www.lgtvestra.com/people/will-townrow/

william.townrow@lgtvestra.com

and

Jaips.R@ablestoke.com

Jaips Rekji at Ablestoke

both of them are local dads whom we met socially and since recommending them have heard great things back.

[webfountainwebdesign]

Hi

Another recommendation for Jaips Rekji

Jaips took time to fully understand my financial situation and how I wanted my and the family's financial future to be and he then provided relevant and understandable advise

He is with Ablestoke not St James Place

jaips.r@ablestoke.com
0203 463 8835"