FAQs

Yes, we offer independent financial advice. This means our recommendations are not limited to a single provider or product range.

Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can verify our details on the Financial Services Register.

Yes, you can choose to meet in person or by video call. We will agree on the most convenient option for you when arranging the meeting.

Face-to-face meetings are held at our office in Glynde. If you prefer not to travel, we can meet by video call instead.

Yes, we have parking available at our office. This includes disabled parking and electric car charging.

We have been providing financial advice for more than 26 years. That experience helps us support clients through different life stages, particularly in later life.

We are based in Glynde, near Lewes, and we work with clients both locally and outside the area. Meetings can be held in person or by video call, depending on what suits you.

We have one Chartered financial planner. We will always be clear about who you will be working with and their professional qualifications.

Our application for Chartered status with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) is currently pending. We will update this information once the status is confirmed.

Yes, you can view client reviews and testimonials on our website. We also use independent feedback platforms, such as VouchedFor, so you can see others’ experiences.

We are independent and focus on long-term financial planning, particularly for people in later life. Our service includes detailed planning, including cashflow forecasting, and regular contact through newsletters, check-ins, and forward planning meetings. We also share client feedback and have received industry recognition, including Citywire and Schroders awards.

Our FCA firm reference number is 588626. You can use this number to find us quickly on the Financial Services Register.

We often work with clients in Lewes, Eastbourne, Seaford, Brighton, and Peacehaven. We also support clients outside these areas when the relationship is a good fit.

You can book an initial meeting through Calendly, by email, or by calling the office. We will confirm the time, format, and what we will cover, so you know what to expect.

No, you do not have to pay for an initial meeting. It is a chance to understand what you want to achieve and our approach, with no obligation to go ahead.

We usually ask you to bring any recent documents that help us understand your finances, such as pension, investment, and savings statements, and details of income, property, and any borrowing. If you do not have everything to hand, we can still use the meeting to understand your goals and agree what information we need next.

Your first meeting is a relaxed discovery conversation where we get to know you and what you want to achieve. We will talk through your current finances at a high level, explain our planning process, including cashflow modelling, and outline our fees and what would happen next. There is no commitment, it is simply a chance to see whether we are a good fit.

You should allow around one hour for an initial meeting. This gives us time to understand what matters to you and explain how our planning process works.

No, there is no need to sign up to our services at the initial meeting. We will explain how we work and our fees, and you can decide whether you want to take things further.

If your usual financial planner is away, another member of the team will be available to help. We make sure your information is accessible within the team so you can still get support when you need it.

You will typically receive monthly newsletters, quarterly check-ins, and an annual forward planning meeting. If something important changes, we can also arrange extra contact as needed.

Yes, cashflow forecasting is part of our planning service. We use it to help you see how today’s decisions could affect your future finances, based on the information available at the time.

If your circumstances change, we can review your plan and update it to reflect your new priorities. That may include refreshing your cashflow forecast and adjusting recommendations where needed.

Yes, we can work alongside your accountant or solicitor. With your permission, we can share information and coordinate planning, so everyone is working towards the same goals.

Yes, we can coordinate with your mortgage adviser if they need information from us. With your permission, we can provide relevant details, so advice stays joined up.

Your main adviser is the owner of the firm, which helps provide continuity. If anything changes, we will make sure another appropriate member of the team can support you.

Yes, we can share an example of the type of financial plan we produce. It will show the structure and level of detail, without sharing any personal information from other clients.

Yes, you will be able to view the value of your investments online. We can explain what you will see in the portal, and how often valuations are updated.

Yes, we provide an online portal so you can view your investments. This gives you a convenient way to check valuations and see key account information.

We typically meet face to face at least once a year. If you prefer, we can also meet by video call, and we can arrange additional meetings when needed.

No, we do not advise on mortgages. If you need specialist advice in this area, we can work alongside the professional you choose where appropriate.

Yes, we can advise on equity release. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances.

Yes, we can advise on personal pensions. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise on occupational pensions. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you consolidate multiple pensions. We will look at your goals and existing arrangements before recommending the most appropriate options. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you take your pension tax-efficiently. We will look at your goals and existing arrangements before recommending the most appropriate options. Tax rules can change and depend on your individual circumstances.

Yes, we can help with ethical or sustainable investing. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you invest an inheritance you’ve received. We will look at your goals and existing arrangements before recommending the most appropriate options. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise on Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs). We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

No, we do not advise on Final Salary or Defined Benefit transfers. If you need specialist advice in this area, we can work alongside the professional you choose where appropriate.

Yes, we offer advice on long-term care or later-life planning. We will discuss your objectives and explain the options, costs, and any risks before you make decisions.

Yes, we can help with Inheritance Tax planning or estate planning. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Tax rules can change and depend on your individual circumstances.

Yes, we can advise on investments such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts). We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover, and income replacement. We will explain your options and any costs and risks involved, and any recommendation will depend on your circumstances.

Yes, we offer a free initial consultation. It is a chance to understand your goals and explain how we work, with no obligation to proceed.

We charge a fixed fee of £2,500 to create your financial plan, plus a 1% implementation fee if you ask us to put recommendations in place. Our ongoing advice fee is 0.85% for continued planning and reviews, and the overall cost depends on the work you need.

Our minimum initial fee is £5,000, and our minimum ongoing fee is £2,500. These minimums reflect the time and ongoing support involved in delivering our planning service.

A financial plan typically costs £2,500 on a fixed-fee basis. We will confirm the cost before we start, and the scope of work is agreed in advance.

We use a mix of fixed and percentage-based fees, depending on the work being done. For example, the financial plan is a fixed fee, and implementation and ongoing service are charged as a percentage.

We are paid by fees for most advice, not commission. The only time we may receive commission is on equity release and protection, and we explain any remuneration clearly before you proceed.

No, VAT is not added to our advice fees. If this ever changes due to tax rules, we will make it clear before any work starts.

The best way to judge value is to compare like-for-like, including the scope of advice, ongoing service, and the experience you have working with the firm. We are upfront about our fees, so you can weigh the costs against the planning, implementation, and ongoing support you would receive.

Fees vary widely between firms depending on the complexity of the work and the level of ongoing support. We publish our charges clearly, so you can compare them with other firms on a like-for-like basis.

You can find our fees on our website. We also go through the charges during the initial meeting, so you understand what is included and when fees apply.

Yes, we can help you explore what early retirement could look like for you. We use cashflow forecasting to test different scenarios, but outcomes depend on factors such as markets, inflation, and your circumstances. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you plan your retirement. We use financial planning and cashflow modelling to help you understand your options and make informed decisions. Investments can go down as well as up.

We typically work with midlife accumulators, people approaching retirement, those already in retirement, and business owners. Our work is often focused on later-life planning, including retirement income and legacy goals.

Yes, we work with company directors and self-employed clients. We can help coordinate personal and business finances where appropriate, including pensions, investments, and protection. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, many of our clients are approaching retirement or already retired. We focus on building a clear plan for retirement income, spending, and long-term security. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help if you have inherited money and want to make informed decisions about it. We will consider your goals, tax position, and existing assets before recommending options. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help clients who have sold a business or are preparing for a sale. We can support you with planning around proceeds, tax, and your longer-term financial goals. Tax rules can change and depend on your individual circumstances.

Yes, we can help you manage finances after a bereavement. We take a practical, supportive approach and can help you understand next steps for pensions, investments, and estate matters. Tax rules can change and depend on your individual circumstances.

Yes, we specialise in working with business owners, professionals, and people in later life, including retirees. Our planning approach is designed to support long-term decisions around retirement, investing, and legacy. Investments can go down as well as up.

No, we do not offer financial advice for expats or non-UK residents. Our advice is focused on clients with UK-based financial arrangements and planning needs.

Yes, we can help if you already have investments or pensions elsewhere. We can review what you have, explain your options, and recommend changes if they support your goals. Investments can go down as well as up.

We do have a minimum fee and typically work with clients where the value of advice justifies the cost. We will be clear about our fees and what is included, so you can decide whether our service is right for you.

FSCS protection can apply, but it depends on the type of product and the provider you use. We can explain what protections are likely to apply to your arrangements, and where FSCS cover does not apply. Investments can go down as well as up.

We take complaints seriously and will investigate any concerns promptly under our complaints procedure. If we cannot resolve the issue to your satisfaction, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

We take data protection seriously and use secure systems and processes to store and handle your personal information. We only use your data for providing our services and follow UK data protection requirements.

Yes, we are insured to give financial advice. We maintain professional indemnity insurance as part of running a regulated advice firm.

You can check our authorisation on the Financial Services Register. Search for Barwells Wealth or use our FCA firm reference number, 588626.

Yes, we have client stories or case studies you can read. These are shared without personal details, so you can understand the type of planning work we do.

We measure client satisfaction through an annual client survey and reviews on VouchedFor. This feedback helps us maintain standards and improve how we support clients.

Yes, we have received industry recognition, including Citywire Top 100 in 2025, and Citywire Adviser Firm, South East, in 2025. We were also recognised at the Schroders Platform Awards in 2024 for firms with fewer than 10 advisers.

Yes, we are featured on VouchedFor. You can use it to read independent reviews and see feedback from clients.

Meetings can be held in our award-winning barn conversion in Glynde, which you can find full details for on our “Contact us” page. We provide tea or coffee and a good selection of biscuits. If you prefer, we can also visit you at home or remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

We have a secure, gated car park with step-free access and allocated disabled parking.

No, the initial meeting is at our expense. We won’t charge you to simply find out if we can help. The initial meeting is a chance for us to get to know each other and see whether we can support you.

The first meeting is informal and about getting to know each other. We want to find out what you want the future to look like. Having details of existing pensions, investments, and protection plans can be helpful, but it’s not essential.

Generally, the first meeting will last between 45 minutes and an hour.

No, there’s no obligation to proceed at your first meeting.

You can either phone us on 01273 086 311, email financial@barwells-wealth.co.uk, or fill out our contact form at the bottom of the page.

Yes. We believe this is the best option for our clients because it means we don’t have any restrictions on the solutions or products we recommend. As a result, you’ll always get the advice that suits your needs, based on the widest possible variety of options.

We’re directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA number is 588626.

No, we don’t offer this service.

You’ll be able to speak to one of our other financial planners or a member of the support team.

£2,500 (VAT exempt).

This depends on your individual circumstances and requirements, or the stage you’re at in the process. View “How we charge” for full details.

We only receive commission on arranging protection policies and equity release mortgages.

No. We are not registered for VAT.