About Me
I have many years experience of successful financial practice. I advise clients on a wide range of products, helping them to navigate through their financial journey and achieve their aims – from their first mortgage, right through into retirement and all the investment decisions along the way.
Of course, every client is unique, and so my approach is entirely personal; the aim is to get to know each individual and understand what’s important to them. As a 2plan adviser I have excellent relationships with professional firms such as accountants, solicitors and estate agents meaning that you can also benefit from a network of trusted professionals.
In addition, it’s very important for you to be aware of the significant changes that have taken place over the last few years across the financial services sector. In particular, that each regulated financial adviser now has to hold much higher levels of qualification than ever before. In addition to passing the new exams, we must also hold a current “Statement of Professional Standing” (SPS Certificate). This not only indicates that we have signed up to a code of ethics but also that we have completed at least 35 hours of professional training each year, to stay up to date with changes in the industry, taxation and regulation. My SPS Certificate provides positive re-assurance to my clients that not only am I authorised by our Regulator (The Financial Conduct Authority) but also appropriately qualified and up to date.
Give me a call when you’re ready to talk about your personal financial needs.
What I Do
Because I'm backed by an experienced and knowledgeable team of financial planning and IT specialists at 2plan, you can enjoy complete peace of mind – safe in the knowledge that you have industry-leading expertise working for you.
Financial Protection
We all dream of winning the lottery. But what are your odds when it comes to accidents or illness?
Unfortunately, the chances of long-term absence from work are higher than you might think
8% risk of death before 65.
16% risk of suffering a serious illness.
32% risk of being unable to work for 2 months or more.
Life cover is the most popular cover but premature death isn't the biggest risk we face during our working lives.
We're all natural optimists, but even a little bit of income protection could make your finances less of a gamble.
Source: LV= risk reality calculator May 2015, based on a male non-smoker aged 30.
Investment Planning And Regular Savings
Why Helping with Asset Allocation Is So Important
By including assets with investment returns that move up and down under different market conditions, an investor can protect against significant losses within a portfolio. Historically, the returns from the major asset classes have not moved up and down at the same time, so by investing in more than one asset type, you'll reduce the risk of losing money and your portfolio's overall investment returns should have a smoother ride.
Why Does Time Matter
Time Horizon - the number of years, or decades you will be investing to achieve a particular financial goal can make a significant difference. If you think about it, an investor with a longer time horizon may feel more comfortable taking on a riskier, or more volatile investment because they can ride out the inevitable ups and downs of our markets. Risk Tolerance – being prepared to lose some or all of your original investment in exchange for greater potential returns. An aggressive investor, is more likely to risk losing money in order to obtain better long term results, whereas a cautious investor, tends to favour investments that try to preserve the original investment.
So What's The Right Approach For Me
The actual process of determining which mix of assets to hold in your portfolio is a very personal one. The asset allocation that works best for you at any given point in your life will depend largely on your time horizon and your ability to tolerate any potential losses. We have developed cutting-edge psychometric risk profiling software to make sure we help you make the right decision.
Retirement Planning
Britons 'worst in world at saving for retirement'
British workers are the worst prepared in the world for retirement, a new study has shown.
Figures from HSBC show that the average retirement in the UK is expected to last 19 years, but the average person's retirement savings will last for just seven years.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the median value of private pensions in the UK stands around £57,000. As most people take out the 25% tax free cash of £14,250 this would only leave enough for a guaranteed income of around £127pm*. Whilst most people tend to spend less money in retirement, £127pm is around 6% of the current national average earnings.
* Based upon a male and female aged 65 with benefits escalating at 3% and provision for a 50% spouses pension
Advice At Retirement
What on earth is pound cost ravaging? It's the name given to the effect on your pension pot when you withdraw capital in a falling market. By taking regular withdrawals whilst the market is falling, the financial implications for your retirement pot can be dramatic, you only have to get a few years of bad returns in the early years of your retirement and it may be almost impossible to recover, even though the longer term average returns from your investments may remain strong.
You must remember that you're effectively selling your assets when they are worth less. This is because when the price of each unit that you hold is lower more need to be sold in order to reach your required level of income. Unfortunately, most savers simply assume that if they select a modest level of regular income, regardless as to what happens in the markets, that they'll be able to carry on indefinitely. In reality, taking regular withdrawals in times of market stress can destroy the health of your pension pot and therefore, investors must regularly adjust their retirement plan and investment strategy to avoid the real risk of running out of money whilst retired.
Ongoing Service
An international HSBC study, The Future of Retirement, in 2011 showed that those with financial plans accumulated nearly 250% more retirement savings than those without a financial plan in place. Furthermore, nearly 44% of those who have a financial plan in place save more money each year for retirement.
FOCUS on plans, not retirement
Research by David Blanchett and Paul Kaplan of Morningstar, in their article "Alpha, Beta and now...Gamma", has attempted to quantify into real numbers the value that financial advisers can provide. Their research shows that advisers help individuals generate roughly 1.82% excess return each year, creating roughly 29% higher retirement income wealth. This means even if an adviser is charging a 1% fee a year for the management of assets, the financial advice still has a huge impact on generating additional wealth.
The Way We Work
As financial advisers, our success depends on building successful long term relationships with clients. Honesty, integrity, good service, going the extra mile - these are the things we believe matter to you, and these are the guiding principles that underpin our approach to business.
As an Independent Financial Adviser I am not tied to any particular provider and can advise you on products from across the whole market. I will always take a rounded view of the options – considering factors such as charges, customer service and financial resilience. This means I will offer the most suitable solutions for your individual needs and circumstances.
Our guiding principles:
- Best advice - providing you with products and services suitable for your needs
- Great service - prompt, reliable, friendly; always centred around you
- Clear, open communication - so you always know where you stand
- Good information - honest and accurate, timely and relevant
- Continual improvement - enhancing and updating our service to you
- Quality control - identifying failings and putting them right
- Checking and monitoring - reviewing information, tracking progress
Money Marketing Awards
2010
- Winner - Best use of Technology
Publications
With 2plan, you're always in the loop with the latest news from around the financial world.
To download your copy, simply click on the selected image below.
News
Get In Touch
Why not get in touch for an informal conversation?
Lane End House, 63 Glamorgan Road, Catherington, Hampshire, PO8 0TS .07738 121372
mark.graham@2plan.com
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2plan wealth management Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk) under reference 461598.
Registered address: 3rd floor, Bridgewater Place, Water Lane, Leeds, LS11 5BZ. Telephone: 0113 302 1360.
Registered in England and Wales Number: 05998270.
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