Our normal approach to advising clients is carried out in a number of stages.
1. INITIAL DISCUSSION AND FACT FINDING
At an initial meeting we gather as much information as is necessary about your financial position, your attitude to investment opportunity and risk, and what you need advice on. Typically this meeting is free of charge and without obligation on your part. By the end of this initial meeting we should have clearly identified your requirements, agreed the next steps, and arranged our next meeting. (Note that it is much more difficult for us to do a good job when working for someone we have never met, so we are very reluctant to take new clients on without an initial face-to-face meeting.)
2. ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
As independent financial advisers our aim is to provide the perfect solution. We consider the entire marketplace and base our research on the output from a number of sources including AEQUOS Engage, O&M Systems, Old Broad Street Research (OBSR) and Citywire.
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
In most cases we present our recommendations at a face-to-face meeting during which we provide detailed illustrations and any relevant product literature. This enables us to answer questions more easily and comprehensively. Subsequently we set out the advice in writing stating all the options that we considered, what we eliminated from our thinking, and the reasons for the recommendations we have made. Inevitably some of the products we advise on are highly technical but we take care to explain everything in clear and straightforward English that is easily understandable by the layman.
4. CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
In many cases this stage is included in the meeting mentioned above. If the recommendations are particularly complex, or if you simply want time to consider our recommendations, then you can complete this stage at your leisure.
5. AGREEMENT TO PROCEED
Once you are satisfied with our recommendations, we can assist you with preparing the documentation. We then liaise with the relevant investment companies, or pension or life assurance companies on your behalf. You will need to provide evidence of your identity and address (under the UK Money Laundering Regulations) before we can process your application(s).
6. OPTIONAL SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS
If you wish, we can review the arrangements we have made for you on a regular basis, provided that you request such a review, so as to ensure that they keep pace with any future changes in your situation. We strongly encourage clients who invest capital or who have pension funds arranged by us to take advantage of this service.
