We like clients to get to know as many of the team as possible, so come and say “hello” by clicking on our individual profiles…
The Financial Advice Company is proud to support Starlight Children’s Foundation (Charity number 296058) with regular donations and via Give as you Live.
Starlight is a national children’s charity, dedicated to brightening the lives of children and teenagers suffering from a serious or terminal illness.
For over 30 years they have worked to support sick children and their families, because they know the difference happiness and laughter can make during difficult times.
Every year Starlight helps over half a million children to look beyond illness, and show them life’s possibilities.
Starlight Wishes
Starlight grant personalised wishes for children suffering from a life-threatening or life-shortening illness. When granting a wish, they aim to restore the magic and fun of childhood, creating happy memories for the whole family to share.
Starlight Wishes empower young people, by giving them the opportunity to make choices at a time when most decisions are made for them.
Whether it’s meeting an astronaut, getting a new computer, becoming a princess or going on a great adventure, Starlight Wishes are bespoke and limited only by a child’s imagination.
A wish is more than something to look forward to; Starlight Wishes can have a transformative effect on the whole family.
Starlight Escapes
Throughout the year, Starlight hosts a programme of special events for Starlight Wish children, as well as others from local hospitals and hospices, who are invited with their families, to enjoy time away from treatment and appointments.
Hospital entertainment
Starlight’s year-round programme of entertainment in hospitals, and hospices, throughout the country improves a child’s experience by using fun and distraction, helping children cope with procedures by focusing on something else.
How can you help Starlight?
We are proud to support Starlight and would encourage our clients to do the same. There are a number of ways you can do this.
You can give directly to them by clicking here.
You can also join the Give as You Live scheme, by clicking here.
Milo is our team mascot. He mostly looks cute & makes us smile. He enjoys cuddles, walks and barking at squirrels.
‘Our Co-Founder’ Frank started out working as a wholesale butcher in his family business. In the 1990’s Frank re-trained to become a Financial Adviser and over the years he built a loyal client base. Being a strong proponent of the family business structure, Frank ‘headhunted’ and recruited his son in law Ben as an apprentice adviser in 2008. After 4 years of working closely together, Frank handed over the reigns to Ben & retired in December 2012, although he remains a shareholder. Frank loves to spend time with his 5 grandchildren; with 3 of them living abroad, he has developed awesome IT skills so he can communicate with them via the Internet.
Milo is our team mascot. He mostly looks cute & makes us smile. He enjoys cuddles, walks and barking at squirrels.
‘Valuations Officer’ Dave researches and collates all the information needed to prepare client portfolio valuations. Dave also supports Julie in her role as office administrator. In his free time Dave loves to spend time with his grandson, is very handy with DIY and is quite partial to a good whiskey.
‘Legal Eagle’ Shelley is our third director along with her dad, Frank & her husband, Ben. Although no longer practicing, Shelley is a qualified solicitor and oversees all of our contracts & legal agreements. Day to day, Shelley works as a paraplanner preparing investment suitability reports for Ben. In her free time Shelley enjoys practicing yoga & pilates but her favourite pastime is walking in the countryside with Milo, Ben & the kids.
‘Admin Queen’ Julie is our super organised office administrator, overseeing all the administration of existing and new business from submission to completion and ongoing servicing. Julie is personal assistant to Ben and is the initial point of contact for clients and providers. Out of the office, Julie is a keen walker and a bit of a party animal, enjoying music festivals and holidays with her friends.
‘Big Boss Ben’ is our Co-Founder & Financial Adviser.
He advises our clients with more complex financial planning requirements and is also our Compliance Officer, overseeing all aspects of our regulatory compliance. Ben is really keen on thorough and continuing research into the investments marketplace, ensuring that our client proposition reflects current best practice.
Ben is a keen Liverpool FC supporter, enjoys watching rugby and is learning to play golf (but we don’t think Rory McIlroy has anything to fear from him just yet!)
No one sets out to work in financial services. How did you become a financial planner?
“My father-in-law had been an IFA for nearly 20 years, and having built up a successful practice was looking at how the business could continue and remain within the family. He felt that my skills would be ideally suited to working as a financial adviser and planner. After much soul searching, I decided to leave my career in recruitment to become a Financial Planner.”
What’s your proudest moment as a financial planner?
“Successfully transitioning The Financial Advice Company to being a directly authorised business after leaving a Network arrangement. Then taking it from being a traditional IFA to financial planning practice.”
What’s the best thing about your job?
“Working with a great team and fantastic clients. Every client’s goals and aspirations are very different, so no two days are the same. The flexibility of running our business enables me to spend more time with my family, and children, something that would be hard if I was employed.”
If you were in charge for the day, what would you change about financial services in the UK?
“Ensure that financial education is added to the school curriculum. Reduce the regulatory costs to help improve the access to financial planning, so that even those with only modest income and assets can obtain advice.”
When you’re not at work, how do you relax?
“Yoga, walking our Pug, Milo, while catching up on podcasts. Spending time with Shelley, Summer and Joseph. Watching Liverpool play football, which isn’t always relaxing.”
‘Valuations Officer’ Dave researches and collates all the information needed to prepare client portfolio valuations. Dave also supports Julie in her role as office administrator. In his free time Dave loves to spend time with his grandson, is very handy with DIY and is quite partial to a good whiskey.
