Independent Financial Advisor Recommendations

Aminatidi

Apologies if I've missed it but why in your area?

If I wanted a financial advisor I'd be keen not limit myself only to ones in my area.

You haven't mentioned the sums you're dealing with (I think) but assuming they're life changing I'd cast my net very widely and if you're not comfortable with technology (Zoom, Teams etc.) to conduct meetings perhaps have a day trip?

datadezign

masonic said:

datadezign said:

I ask the question if it’s possible for them to offer a testimonial and contact, they reply yes or no, which I accept. If the answer is yes, they may already have a client that has already stated they may be prepared to talk to another client. If the answer is no, that’s as you have said maybe because they feel it is inappropriate to ask their clients, that’s also fine if that’s the case. I have asked this question before, but not in this field. So perhaps my comments have been miss understood, or I have explained incorrectly Apologies if that is the case.

They may have testimonials (a small number of IFAs use Trustpilot and other review sites to collect them, while others will surely collect such feedback themselves), but it is less likely that the individuals giving a testimonial have agreed for their contact details to be passed to anyone who wants to discuss in further detail. Some might, but it would be quite restrictive if you wanted to exclude those who do not (though it sounds like you do not intend to do that).

Thank you. The more information I can collate will help me to make my final informed decision as to who I go with. I of course understand the boundaries as to what is a reasonable request and how that request is put across without appearing a potential awkward client. Let’s hope so anyway.

Albermarle

You can check here for any ombudsman judgements against any IFA's you are talking to .
Ombudsman decisions (financial-ombudsman.org.uk)

datadezign

Aminatidi said:

Apologies if I've missed it but why in your area?

If I wanted a financial advisor I'd be keen not limit myself only to ones in my area.

You haven't mentioned the sums you're dealing with (I think) but assuming they're life changing I'd cast my net very widely and if you're not comfortable with technology (Zoom, Teams etc.) to conduct meetings perhaps have a day trip?

Thank you for your suggestions, yes I have considered casting my net further, but would prefer more local if the quality of service provided locally, compares favourably with any further afield. I would prefer an eye to eye appointment when needed, without a long journey, and would be my preferred option. I am fully tech savvy so Zoom, teams etc is not a concern. The funds I have with a medium risk investment strategy should easily replace our current income without any pension. The only problem I see with casting my net further, is, unless I am lucky and I strike gold with the first few enquires, is I will have too many choices, which could lead to procrastination which I is not for me. Again this is why I had sought recommendation, so to avoid this.

Hope that makes sense.

Aminatidi

datadezign said:

Aminatidi said:

Apologies if I've missed it but why in your area?

If I wanted a financial advisor I'd be keen not limit myself only to ones in my area.

You haven't mentioned the sums you're dealing with (I think) but assuming they're life changing I'd cast my net very widely and if you're not comfortable with technology (Zoom, Teams etc.) to conduct meetings perhaps have a day trip?

Thank you for your suggestions, yes I have considered casting my net further, but would prefer more local if the quality of service provided locally, compares favourably with any further afield. I would prefer an eye to eye appointment when needed, without a long journey, and would be my preferred option. I am fully tech savvy so Zoom, teams etc is not a concern. The funds I have with a medium risk investment strategy should easily replace our current income without any pension. The only problem I see with casting my net further, is, unless I am lucky and I strike gold with the first few enquires, is I will have too many choices, which could lead to procrastination which I is not for me. Again this is why I had sought recommendation, so to avoid this.

Hope that makes sense.

Makes sense and I could have worded it better

You're quite right you'll have a nation of Financial Advisors to choose from if you're not careful I suppose what I meant was some names seem to come up quite often and perhaps if there are one or two of those it would make sense to consider them even if they're not local.

It was more do you limit yourself to the "best" in your area if the "best" in your area is still not very good if that makes sense.

datadezign

makes absolute sense to me.

Linton

Unless you have £multi-millions or niche requirements such as multinational tax a local IFA business in Burton should be fine for your purposes, no need to expand your search area too far.  The ability to meet the advisor andn to discuss topics face to face is valuable.     The businesses you see advertised nationally may well not be IFAs and their fees will probably be higher than you will need to pay for a local advisor - someone has to pay for the glossy literature and plush offices.

datadezign

Another statement thank you, which makes absolute sense to me too!! Yes a good size pot, but not quite 'multi'

Beddie

datadezign said:

Can anyone please recommend a good independent financial advisor preferably near to Burton on Trent, which is close to Derby and Lichfield?

Have a look on Google or Facebook and maybe phone up a couple of them. See what they're like on the phone - helpful, friendly, busy? They are all pretty similar anyway at the end of the day and you won't know which one gave you the best advice until a few years down the line.