Ashcourt Investment Advisers Ashcourt Investment Advisers ("AIA") is a firm of Independent Financial Advisers authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. AIA was officially formed in May 2000 under the name of Ashcourt Pensions Limited and subsequently changed its name in August 2003 when Ashcourt Holdings acquired Barney Wilkins and Howard Ltd ("BWH"). Prior to this, it was the in-house pensions department of Brachers Solicitors in Maidstone and Wilsons Solicitors in Salisbury. In 2004 AIA took over another IFA, Horder & Company Ltd (H&C). H&C was formed in 1984 and specialised in individual and corporate pensions as well as giving general financial advice, including advice on mortgages. It continues to operate as a subsidiary of AIA although in close conjunction with the other parts of AIA.
Although
AIA is a subsidiary of Ashcourt Holdings it is independent, and will
only offer the services of the other members of the Ashcourt group of
companies where such services are the most suitable option for a client
and with full disclosure of the connection. This independence to offer
our clients the most appropriate solution to their needs is something
we value highly. This, together with our specialist knowledge, professionalism
and continuity of approach puts us in an ideal position to meet the
needs of all our clients whether they are individuals, families, trusts,
companies or partnerships.
Our directors and advisers have
considerable experience and a wide range of industry qualifications
in all aspects of financial planning.
A Brief Service Overview
AIA provides advice on a very
wide range of financial matters. In doing so, we take a broad view of
a client's financial and personal circumstances, so that we can produce
the most suitable solution. Thereafter, we work towards the establishment
of a long term personal relationship, so that plans can be adapted to
meet our client's aims and changing needs. We provide advice on a wide
range of financial matters of which the main areas are as follows:
Investment
We view most of what we do as
"investment", but in the normally accepted sense we are mainly
involved with what are known as collective investments. These include
Unit Trusts, OEICs, Investment Trusts, Insurance Policies, Personal
Equity Plans and Individual Savings Accounts. Our role is to advise
on the nature and geographical spread of investment as well as on the
suitability and skill of the individual Investment Adviser looking after
each Fund. His role is crucial, as the adviser is responsible for the
selection of the underlying assets of the Fund.
We also advise on Deposits, National
Savings and other products that provide the more cautious elements of
a portfolio. Investments may be made with lump sums or with regular
monthly or annual amounts.
Through our close links with our
sister company Ashcourt Asset Management we are able to offer the services
of their asset managers to deal with the management of individual bespoke
portfolios.
Pensions
Although these are just another
way of saving, it is vital that they are considered because of their
tax advantages. The legislation is very complex but AIA is able to offer
detailed advice in just about every circumstance. We have particular
expertise in the setting up and management of self administered pensions
including SIPP, SSAS and FURBS.
We have the depth and breadth
of experience to advise on all aspects of corporate pension and related
employee benefit arrangements including executive retirement planning.
We also advise on the more contentious pension related issues such as
divorce, redundancy and unfair dismissal.
Life & Sickness Insurance
These can provide protection against
the adverse financial consequences of the death or illness of a partner,
parent, or business colleague. They could be for family protection,
business protection or inheritance tax mitigation. It is often possible
to provide a relatively low cost solution to a potentially serious problem.
Taxation
Although we are not tax specialists,
in all that we do we seek to arrange a client's affairs so as to legitimately
reduce the tax which may be payable. However, it is important not to
compromise unduly other factors such as the suitability of the underlying
investment. In all cases of tax planning we encourage dialogue with
our client's other advisers.
Mortgages
Although AIA is not able to arrange
mortgages on behalf of clients, we are able to offer this service through
our subsidiary company, Horder & Company Ltd. Such arrangements
can also include advice on equity release schemes and remortgaging in
order to reduce costs.
Remunerating Your Adviser
As a professional organisation
our principal endeavour is to provide our client’s with the highest
quality of service. To do this we employ highly qualified and experienced
members of staff who have the necessary skills to advise clients on
a wide range of financial matters. Furthermore, we take time to try
to explain the often complex solutions in a manner that is easily understood.
Meanwhile, there is an extensive
framework of regulation in place, set up by the Financial Services Authority,
to protect our client’s. Complying with the regulations involve
the implementation and monitoring of training, documentation and service
standards, all of which are useful and necessary but require a significant
investment in time, research and technology.
The consequence of these extra
costs is that in order to be professional we must be commercial. Our
clients need to accept that the services we provide have to be paid
for whilst we must ensure that our charges compare favourably with our
competitors.
Historically financial advisers
have been remunerated by commission paid by the product providers when
an investment is made. Although this can be cost effective and fair,
there has been concern over the danger of clients not being given totally
unbiased advice. As a result, the payment of fees by the client is gaining
in popularity. At AIA we work on either basis to suit the client’s
requirements.
The initial meeting is usually
free. This is the client's opportunity to evaluate AIA as a financial
adviser and for us to begin to understand the client's requirements.
Following that meeting, as well as providing you with whatever is necessary
for us to comply with the Financial Services Act, we will also confirm
the financial basis on which we will carry out the work.
At this, or any other stage, it
may be necessary to produce a detailed report perhaps outlining a strategy
for the future or a technical report on the consequences of a particular
action. We will also agree our basis of charge and advise of any commission
that might be paid to us.
The basis of any fee structure
is set out in AIA’s schedule of fees.
More detailed descriptions of
the services offered by AIA can either be obtained from further notes
or by contacting any of the directors.
Ashcourt Investment Advisers Limited
AIA is authorised and regulated
by the Financial Services Authority. Registered Office: 11 Tower View,
Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4UN. Registered in England and Wales
with company number 1491795
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