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Is £400,000 enough to retire?

Cash flow planning is a powerful tool that can be used to map various scenarios against a client’s objectives.  Andy Butcher spoke to the Telegraph about a reader’s position as he approached retirement.  Using our cash flow software, Andy had some good news for the reader!

The full article can be accessed here.

If you would like to discuss your financial position with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that you are required to register with the Telegraph for free in order to read the full article.  We are not affiliated with The Telegraph and the views and information expressed on their website are their own.

 

One year on…

March 2020 saw financial markets plunge around the world as the global economy began to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.  Markets fell quickly, and clients were understandably concerned.  A year on, Andy Butcher spoke to Professional Adviser about how focusing on long-term goals rather than short term losses helped clients avoid the costly mistake of panic selling when things looked bad.

Andy’s comments and The Professional Advisers Adviser Guide in full can be found here.

Citywire Asset Allocation Roundtable

Asset allocation decisions are more important than ever in the current environment.  A year ago Andy Butcher spoke with Citywire publication, New Model Adviser about how we construct portfolios.  New Model Adviser invited Andy back to their latest asset allocation roundtable before Christmas to discuss the past year, and how things have changed on the asset allocation front as we move into 2021.  The transcript can be accessed below.

Asset Allocation Adviser Roundtable

If you would like to speak to us about your investments, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

Client Satisfaction Surveys

Obtaining feedback from our clients is an important part of our business as it ensures we continue to provide the service our clients are seeking and don’t let things slip.

Our latest survey was conducted at the height of the market mayhem in March, where portfolios were being tested and communication with clients was essential.  At times where markets are plummeting, clients need to know they can trust us to look after their money and make the right decisions.  We also need to be available to speak to at any time as its obviously concerning watching markets around the world fall relentlessly.  It is at times of stress where any cracks in our proposition will be exposed.

Thankfully, the survey results confirmed our commitment to providing a personal service built on trust, clear communication, and our expertise as financial planners and wealth managers.

We are pleased to report that of the 15 respondents, there was 100% overall satisfaction with our services and 100% of respondents would be happy to recommend our services to their friends and colleagues.

The survey also highlighted what matters most to our clients.  Honesty and trust was the most important factor, followed by our knowledge and expertise.  We scored 100% client satisfaction on both these metrics.  This is important to us, as these metrics are fundamental to our proposition.  Trust and expertise are hard to obtain, but very easy to lose without continued hard work.

Finally, many of our clients also deal with wealth managers or advisers at other firms as well as Raymond James, John Street. We asked these clients if they receive a better service from us, the same, or a better service from other companies they deal with.  100% of respondents said they receive a better service from us, which is reassuring.

Thank you to all our clients who responded in March.   This year’s survey results are encouraging, but we will not to rest on our laurels.  We continue to work to provide the best service possible for our clients and encourage further feedback from those who did not, or were unable to complete the survey in March.

If you would like to arrange a chat, please contact us.

 

 

The Return of Inflation?

Inflation is always a big concern when managing money for our clients.  The impact of higher or lower inflation on different assets classes can be significant, so it is always a data point we pay close attention to.

The impact of the Coronavirus has dampened inflation expectations as demand has been significantly reduced by global lockdowns.  However, monetary and fiscal stimulus in response to the global pandemic has been unprecedented, so does this present an impending inflation problem?

Andy Butcher spoke to Will Robins of the New Model Adviser on the topic of inflation, noting that while the short term outlook may be for lower inflation, as we look further out we need to be wary of its return.

The article can be accessed here.

If you would like to speak to us about our investment strategy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

IHT Revenue Falls

The number of people paying inheritance tax (IHT) has fallen for the first time since 2009.  The tax generated £5.2b in 2019/20, down from £5.4b in 2018/19.  One possible reason for the reduction is the introduction of the residential nil rate band which allows families to pass on up to £1m of their estate tax free.

IHT remains a complex area, one which we believe with sensible planning can be significantly reduced.

Andy Butcher spoke to The Telegraph on the latest figures from HMRC.  The article can be accessed here.

 

If you would like to discuss your IHT position and options to reduce your liability, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that you are required to register with the Telegraph for free in order to read the full article.  We are not affiliated with The Telegraph and the views and information expressed on their website are their own

Citywire Virtual 10k Charity Run

As an office, each year we look forward with a mix of excitement and apprehension to the Citywire 10k Charity run.  Countless hours of training are required (so we’re told), so needless to say the threat of cancellation amid the Coronavirus pandemic was most unwelcome.  Thankfully, to ensure the charities did not lose out, Citywire pulled out all the stops and took the run virtual!

Unfortunately, a virtual run still means we had to run.   Ed, Andy and Stuart competed in the virtual 10k race, running round various streets in North London and Essex, while Latrena, having recently given birth to her daughter Mabel, competed in the 5k race around the roads of Beckenham.  We all finished safely, and while we didn’t threaten the winners, we all beat our personal targets.   As a team, we are delighted to have raised just over £2,000 for two great charities, St Francis Hospice and Neuroblastoma UK.  Overall, Citywire raised over £25,000 through the race, which during these tough times is fantastic news for the two charities.

If you would like to donate to these great causes, the fundraising remains open here.

 

 

 

Inheritance Tax Planning in Action

Inheritance Tax is often described as a voluntary tax as there are many ways we can mitigate its impact.   One instrument that is available to all, but often overlooked, is the Deed of Variation.  Ed Froggatt discussed this option with his client, Peter, who went ahead and amended his fathers will in order to potentially save his estate up to £400,000 of inheritance tax on his death.

The Telegraph ran a feature on the advice, which can be accessed here.

If you would like to discuss your IHT position and options to reduce your liability, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that you are required to register with the Telegraph for free in order to read the full article.  We are not affiliated with The Telegraph and the views and information expressed on their website are their own.

Rising Star!

We’re delighted to announce that Latrena Petkova has been named one of the Rising Stars of 2020 by Investment Week.

In association with HSBC Global Asset Management, Investment Week looked at all aspects of diversity throughout the next generation of talent in the wealth management industry.  As an integral part of our team, we hugely appreciate Latrena’s talent and hard work, and its great to see this being recognised by a well-known industry publication.

Investment week noted “The nominations received for Investment Week’s Rising Stars series were vast and contrasted. Yet our exclusive list is able to demonstrate how many investment firms are enabling young, diverse talent to succeed.”

In the feature, Latrena says “In an industry that lacks diversity in all aspects, as a part-business owner at 33, I feel my story goes some way to show women and the BAME community that you can make your mark in the investment industry, as long as you do not allow yourself to be pigeonholed or underestimated.  I continually make efforts to push beyond the usual parameters and break through the received ‘ceiling’ in my role.  Importantly I do not believe this has been to the detriment of my home life.”

I am sure you will join us in congratulating Latrena, both on this achievement and on the recent birth of her second child, Mabel.

Read the full article here.

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