Independent Financial Advice and Planning Services

How We Can Help

Some clients approach us with a specific requirement, such as reviewing a pension or arranging a mortgage. Others need help bringing several areas of their finances together. Our advisers can assess your current arrangements, identify matters that may require attention and explain the options available.

Investment and Wealth Management

We provide independent investment advice for clients who are building wealth, investing a lump sum or reviewing an existing portfolio. Before making a recommendation, we consider your objectives, investment timescale, attitude to risk and capacity for loss.

Learn more about investment and wealth management advice

Company and Private Pensions

Pension arrangements can vary considerably in their charges, investment choices, flexibility and benefits. We advise on personal pensions, workplace arrangements, company pensions and self-invested personal pensions, where appropriate.

We can also review pensions accumulated with previous employers and explain the points that should be considered before transferring or consolidating an existing plan.

Learn more about company and private pension advice

Retirement Planning

Retirement planning involves more than reviewing pension values. It requires an assessment of the income you may need, when you would like to retire and how your pensions, savings, investments and other assets could support you.

We help clients understand their likely retirement position, consider the available income options and develop plans that can be reviewed as their circumstances change.

Learn more about retirement planning advice

Mortgage Advice

A mortgage is often one of the largest financial commitments a person will make. We provide mortgage advice for clients buying a home, moving property or reviewing an existing mortgage.

Our advisers assess your borrowing requirements, affordability and future plans before researching suitable options. We also explain mortgage rates, repayment structures, fees and the implications of each recommendation.

Learn more about our mortgage advice

Life Insurance and Family Protection

Life insurance can help protect dependants, repay a mortgage and provide financial support following a death. The appropriate type and level of cover will depend on your commitments, family circumstances and any protection already available through your employer.

Learn more about life insurance and protection advice

Critical Illness and Income Protection

Serious illness or an extended period away from work can place considerable pressure on household finances. Critical illness insurance and income protection address different risks and can be used separately or alongside life insurance.

We help clients understand how each form of protection works, including policy definitions, deferred periods, benefit terms and the circumstances in which a claim may be paid.

Learn more about critical illness and income protection

When Should You Seek Financial Advice?

There is no single point at which everyone should speak to a financial adviser. Advice may be valuable when an important financial decision could have lasting consequences or when existing arrangements have become difficult to understand or manage.

Clients commonly contact us when they are:

• Planning or approaching retirement
• Reviewing pensions from several employers
• Investing an inheritance or another lump sum
• Considering whether existing investments remain suitable
• Buying a home, moving property or remortgaging
• Starting, growing or selling a business
• Planning for a family or protecting dependants
• Reassessing their finances following divorce or bereavement
• Concerned that their current arrangements no longer reflect their objectives
• Seeking a coordinated long-term financial plan

It is not necessary to have every objective decided before speaking to us. Part of our role is to help establish your priorities and identify which decisions need attention first.

What Does Independent Financial Advice Mean?

As independent financial advisers, we are not limited to recommending the products of one provider. This allows us to consider options from across the relevant market when making a personal recommendation.

Independence does not mean that every available product will be suitable. Our recommendations are based on a structured assessment of your needs, financial position and objectives. We explain why an option has been recommended, the risks and costs involved and how it may support your wider plans.

What Happens During a Financial Review?

A financial review gives us the opportunity to understand your present position before recommending any changes. The process will usually involve discussing your income, expenditure, assets, liabilities, existing financial products and future priorities.

Understanding Your Circumstances

We begin by discussing what you want to achieve and any immediate concerns you may have. This could involve one particular financial matter or several connected objectives.

Reviewing Existing Arrangements

Where relevant, we examine existing pensions, investments, mortgages or protection policies. This helps establish what is already in place, whether it remains suitable and whether any valuable benefits or guarantees could be affected by a change.

Assessing Risk and Affordability

Investment and pension advice may require an assessment of your attitude to risk and capacity for loss. Mortgage and protection advice will involve consideration of affordability, existing commitments and the financial consequences of different events.

Researching Appropriate Options

Once we understand your position, we research suitable products and planning options. Recommendations are based on your needs rather than short-term trends or a preference for a particular provider.

Explaining Our Recommendations

We explain what is being recommended, why it may be suitable and what risks, limitations and charges should be considered. You will have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.

Preparing for a Financial Review

You do not need to have every document available before making initial contact. However, the following information can help us build a clearer understanding of your position:

• Recent pension and investment statements
• Details of savings and other assets
• Mortgage and borrowing information
• Existing life insurance and protection policies
• Income and regular household expenditure
• Workplace benefits, including pension contributions and sick pay
• Details of dependants and other financial responsibilities
• Your short-, medium- and long-term objectives

If information is missing, we can explain what may be required as the review progresses.

Advice for Individuals, Families and Businesses

Financial decisions are often connected. An investment decision may affect retirement planning, while a mortgage may create a need for additional family or income protection.

Where appropriate, we take a coordinated approach and consider how each recommendation may affect other areas of your finances. This can help avoid addressing one objective while unintentionally creating a problem elsewhere.

For business owners, financial planning may also involve company pension contributions, personal protection and the relationship between business and personal assets.

One-Off and Ongoing Financial Advice

Some clients require advice on a particular event, such as arranging a mortgage or reviewing a pension. Others need continuing support to monitor investments, prepare for retirement or adjust their plans as circumstances change.

The appropriate service will depend on the nature and complexity of your requirements. We will explain the service being proposed, what it includes and whether ongoing reviews may be appropriate.

Understanding the Cost of Financial Advice

The cost of advice depends on the work involved and the service being provided. Before proceeding, we will explain the relevant charges and provide the information you need to make an informed decision.

Where ongoing advice is proposed, we will also explain what the service includes, how reviews will be provided and how the ongoing cost will be calculated.

Further information is available in our Client Agreement and Services and Charges documents.

Why Choose Sturdy Edwards?

Sturdy Edwards Financial Services has an established history of helping clients make important financial decisions with clarity and care.

Our approach is based on:

• Independent financial advice
• Recommendations tailored to individual circumstances
• Clear explanations of risks, costs and alternatives
• Qualified and experienced financial advisers
• Ongoing support where appropriate
• Professional standards supported by FCA regulation

Sturdy Edwards (Financial Services) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA reference number is 190659.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Review Financial Products I Already Hold?

Depending on the service required, we can review existing pensions, investments, mortgages and protection policies. A review does not automatically mean that an existing product should be replaced. In some cases, retaining the current arrangement may be appropriate.

Will You Recommend That I Transfer or Consolidate My Pensions?

Not automatically. Pension transfers can involve costs and the loss of valuable guarantees or benefits. We first assess the existing arrangements and only recommend a transfer where it is suitable and in the client’s interests.

Can I Receive Advice on One Financial Matter?

Yes. Advice can focus on a particular requirement where appropriate. If that decision has an important effect on another area of your finances, we will explain the connection so that it can be considered properly.

Do You Provide Ongoing Financial Advice?

Ongoing advice may be available where regular reviews are appropriate. We will explain what the service includes, how reviews will be provided and what it will cost before an ongoing arrangement begins.

Are You Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?

Yes. Sturdy Edwards (Financial Services) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 190659.

Arrange a Financial Review

If you would like greater clarity about your investments, pensions, mortgage, retirement plans or financial protection, our advisers are available to discuss your requirements.

Please contact us to arrange a financial review and take the first step towards a clearer, coordinated financial plan.