FAQs
Where are meetings held?
We encourage you to come and meet us face to face at our office in Hatfield, but we also offer meetings over Zoom if preferred.
Do you have parking?
Yes. Our office is within the David Lloyd Health Club in Hatfield, so there’s a large, free car park.
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
No. But it’s important to know that your first meeting is not an advice meeting, but a getting-to-know-you meeting.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
You don’t need to bring anything in particular, but it’s a good idea to be familiar with a few things before you meet us. For example, we’ll ask you about your general money situation, such as income, spending, assets, and liabilities. And we’ll also ask you about your plans for the future.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
About an hour is normal, but it just depends on how the conversation goes. We allow 90 minutes in our diaries, so we’ll never be rushed.
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
No, we don’t work like this. With that said, we’d expect that by the end of our conversation, we’d know if we’re a good match or not. Where we feel we can help you professionally, we’ll send out a written fee proposal shortly after the meeting for you to review at your leisure. If we’ve not heard from you after a week or two, we’ll send a simple email inviting you to ask any questions you may have. But beyond that, we won’t chase you at all.
How can I book an initial meeting?
We’ll only book a meeting once we’ve spoken with you by phone first. This allows us to avoid anyone’s time being wasted if it’s very clear that, for whatever reason, we can’t help you. The best way to get started is to book a callback or send us a message.
Are you independent?
Yes, and we’re proud to be able to offer whole-of-market advice free from any restrictions or third-party ties.
Are you regulated?
Yes, we’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FCA Register number 517067.
Can you advise on final salary or defined benefit transfers?
No. We can talk about the general pros and cons of transfer as part of our overall planning service. But if it was clear that you needed full advice, we’d refer you to another firm.
What happens if Nick is away on holiday?
Almost all planning meetings are pre-booked a year in advance, so this is never really an issue. For anything unplanned and urgent, help will always be at hand via Julia. For longer absences (which have never yet happened), we have a locum adviser available to ensure you get the support you need.
What do you charge for a financial plan?
Do you take a percentage or are your fees fixed?
Do you get commission?
Commission no longer applies to any investment-related work. The exceptions are arranging life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection, for which we’re usually paid via commission.
Do you charge VAT?
Under present rules, most of our work is classed as “intermediation” and so is VAT-exempt. This may change in the future.
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