Savings and Investments
Independent investment advice
Whether you have savings building up in the bank, a lump sum from a pension, property sale or inheritance, or investments you've lost track of, we help you invest with a clear plan.
We're an independent financial planning firm led by a Chartered Financial Planner. We build a plan around your goals, how long you're investing for and the risk you're comfortable with, choosing from the whole market.
Your first meeting is free and there's no obligation to go further.
Making your money work harder
ISAs
Using your ISA allowance each year so more of your money grows free of tax.
Investing a lump sum
A clear plan for money from a pension, business or property sale, or an inheritance.
Cash versus investing
Working out how much to keep in cash for peace of mind, and how much to invest for growth.
Tax efficiency
Making use of your allowances across ISAs, pensions and investment accounts, and managing capital gains.
Investment bonds
Onshore and offshore bonds where they suit your tax position or estate planning.
Ongoing reviews
Regular reviews to keep your investments on track and in line with your plans.
Three simple steps
Free first meeting
We talk through your goals, your savings and investments, and what you want your money to do. We'll tell you our fee before any work starts.
Your plan
We recommend how and where to invest, explained in a clear written report, including the risks and all the costs.
Invest and review
We set everything up for you, then review your investments with you at least once a year.
Saving or investing?
Saving and investing are often talked about as the same thing, but they do different jobs. Most people need both.
Savings
Savings accounts with banks and building societies are a safe place for money you might need soon, and deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £120,000 per person, per bank. The downside is that, over time, inflation can reduce what your money will buy, especially in lower-interest accounts. Interest is also taxable: basic rate taxpayers can earn £1,000 a year tax-free and higher rate taxpayers £500.
Common options include:
- Savings accounts paying a fixed or variable rate of interest.
- Cash ISAs, where interest is tax-free. You can put up to £20,000 a year into ISAs in total. From 6 April 2027, no more than £12,000 of that can go into cash ISAs if you're under 65.
- Premium Bonds from NS&I, backed by the government. Instead of interest, you're entered into a monthly prize draw. You can hold up to £50,000.
Investments
Investing gives your money the potential to grow faster than inflation over the long term, which makes it better suited to goals that are at least five years away. The trade-off is that values go up and down, and you could get back less than you put in.
- Shares (equities) give you a small stake in a company. They have the potential for the highest long-term returns, but also the biggest ups and downs.
- Bonds are loans to governments or companies that pay interest. They're generally lower risk than shares.
- Funds such as OEICs and unit trusts pool your money with other investors to buy a wide spread of shares, bonds and other assets, which helps reduce risk.
- Investment bonds, both UK and offshore, can be useful for tax planning and estate planning in the right circumstances.
These can be held in an ISA, a general investment account, a pension or an investment bond. Where you hold them matters as much as what you hold, because each is taxed differently.
How we invest
We start with what you want your money to do and when you'll need it. We then build a portfolio that's spread across different types of investment and matches the risk you're comfortable with, keeping costs under control. Because we're independent, we can choose from the whole market.
What does advice cost?
Your first meeting is free and there's no obligation. If you'd like us to go ahead, our initial fee is a percentage of the amount we advise on, and it reduces as the amount increases:
We'll confirm your fee in writing before any work starts. Read more about the cost of financial advice.
Common questions
How much should I keep in cash?
It depends on your circumstances, but many people keep enough to cover several months of essential spending, plus anything they know they'll need in the next few years. We'll help you work out the right amount before investing the rest.
Are my investments protected?
If an investment firm fails, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may cover eligible investments up to £85,000 per person, per firm. It doesn't protect against investments falling in value.
What is the ISA allowance?
You can put up to £20,000 a year into ISAs. From 6 April 2027, if you're under 65, no more than £12,000 of that can go into cash ISAs.
What is your initial fee?
Our initial advice charge is a percentage of the amount invested or transferred, and it reduces as the amount increases. For advice on £250,000 of pensions or investments our initial fee would be 1.65%, falling to 1.2% on £500,000 and 0.97% on £1 million. We'll always confirm your fee in writing before any work starts, and your first meeting is free.
Is there a minimum investment?
Yes. Our advice service is designed for people with £250,000 or more in pensions and investments, or who are planning to invest at least that amount. If that isn't you yet, MoneyHelper offers free, impartial guidance.
Do I have to meet in person?
No. Meetings are by appointment, either in person at one of our meeting locations in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Livingston or Stirling, at your home, or by video call.
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Free first meeting, no obligation. Call 0330 223 1653 or book online.
The value of investments and pensions, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invest. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may change in the future.