PROFESSIONAL SERVICES What makes your services stand out? What makes us different is the fact that we start with even a basic level of planning for the client, meaning the consideration of specific financial products comes much later in the process. Many advisers and firms start at a product level with a client, which misses the big picture. What one piece of advice would you give to people looking to retire early? Speak with a financial planner! The time window considered as retirement is continually extending with many likely to live increasingly longer on average. Consider whether all of your retirement will be healthy and the impact ill health or longterm care could have on your financial position. At Beckford James we utilize cash flow modelling software, where appropriate. This can identify any shortfall between the client’s income requirement and income expectations at a particular time period or in the event of a change of situations.
your hands on the money at the wrong time when investments are doing badly. So, if you have other money to fall back on, you can weather any shortterm investment storm as long as you can afford to leave the investment untouched. Any personal career highlights? I have had a really exciting few years where I have been recognised as one of the top financial planners in the country by the finance industry, winning many national awards in 2015 and 2016 including Financial Adviser of the Year at the Growth Investor Awards 2016, and Retirement & Later Life Specialist at the Personal Finance Awards 2016. This has led to me becoming one of the country’s leading commentators on pensions and retirement in the national press especially in The Times, Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Financial Times and BBC. Above: Jonothan McColgan; below: Simon Ewings
How would you describe what your company offers? We provide independent financial advice to both individuals and businesses. The main areas of our advice are around wealth management – which typically involves both the construction of, and ongoing management, of an investment portfolio, and financial planning, which relates more to devising an overall financial plan tailored to clients’ goals and aspirations.
For more: www.beckfordjames.com
Jonothan McColgan
Director and chartered financial planner at Combined Financial Strategies for nine years
Can your briefly describe the benefits of your Chartered Financial Planner status? The Chartered Financial Planner professional title is the gold standard within the financial services industry and creates the benchmark for professional excellence and integrity. To become a Chartered Financial Planner you must satisfy rigorous criteria relating to professional qualifications and abide by a Code of Ethics. What one piece of advice would you give to people looking to invest? An investment is for life, not just for Christmas. You should only invest from a position of strength, where you can afford to put the money away for a very long time. Risk is needing to get 126 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Simon Ewings
Managing director at Monahans Financial Services for six years
Tell us a fun fact about yourself! When I have the time, one of my favourite hobbies outside work is baking. Although I’m unlikely to win The Great British Bake Off anytime soon, my fellow colleagues at Beckford James seem to have approved of my bakes so far.
How would you describe what your company offers? Many of our clients have a particular focus on when and how they can afford to retire. We help you to understand what you are going to need your money for and ensure that you take all the right steps to plan for the worst case scenarios. This will allow you to get on with living your life in the knowledge that you have made the right financial plans for your future. We offer independent financial advice that pulls together all of your financial affairs covering investments, retirement and tax planning.
For more: www.cfsorg.com
AN
INVESTMENT IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS