The Romans dedicated January to their god Janus – god of Endings, Transitions, and new Beginnings. He is depicted with two faces since he looks back to learn from the past and the year that has just ended (Endings) and, having taken stock of changes and new considerations that have arisen (Transitions), he looks forward…

“Planning” is the process of deciding in detail how to do something before you actually start to do it – it’s sensible and it fits a calendar! It’s what we do! Failing to plan where financial planning is possible, is the process of witnessing opportunities disappear through the perforations of our financial life – it…

A new state pension system was brought in on 6 April 2016, so most people (men born after 5 April 1951 and women born after 5 April 1953) are eligible for it. The maximum amount is currently £185.15 a week if you have 35 years qualifying National Insurance (NI) years. So, do you qualify for…

We are all aware of the news that is highlighting how the prevailing interest rate situation is affecting both mortgages and annuities. The news also focuses on how many people are finding it a challenge to meet their desired budget. With the unprecedented economic climate and market volatility potentially likely to persist, is this the…

Welcome to our Overview of the Autumn Mini Budget 2022 that is set out in the PDF attachment to this email. Kwasi Kwarteng, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, has delivered his Autumn Mini Budget, in which he outlined his plans to boost the economy and help households and businesses through the cost of living…

You don’t need us to tell you that investors have had a lot to deal with in the last few years. From a once-in-a-century pandemic to the Ukraine war, along with political upheaval in the US and the UK and soaring inflation across the globe, it’s been a tough period, to say the least. In…

If you have assets such as land, property, cars, money and investments, you’ll want to be as sure as you can be that they go to your chosen beneficiaries in the way you wish so that your loved ones have added financial stability in the future, and also that you’ve left them a meaningful legacy….

My career in financial services commenced over 50 years ago, and I started our firm 47 years ago. During that time we have worked through, and advised clients throughout, the many vicissitudes that life presented – the 1973 oil crisis; the secondary banking crisis that followed; the stock market crash when our stock market fell…

Here are some pointers to help you to consider opportunities. Unless otherwise stated, the rates refer to the tax year 2022-2023. I started writing this Newsletter on May Day and the news from around the world underlined that whenever we are in market conditions such as those that surround us now (we spell it out…