At times of extreme uncertainty, you’ll hear from me. This bulletin is in direct response to the latest conflict that has erupted in the Middle East, specifically in Iran. Put aside the very real human devastation, the war’s morality, and the political and financial drivers. We’re all human, and we’ll have opinions and feelings about such events. As your financial adviser, my main job is to manage the understandable financial anxiety you feel about your family’s life savings during such events. If we use history as our guide (it’s the only guide we have and there are no factual details about the future until it happens), the stock market – a collection of real businesses run by adaptable humans –... Read More

How often have you wished your life weren’t dictated by money? That you had the confidence to walk away from a job or a situation without worrying about the financial implications? That’s why I believe everyone needs “F-you” money. Or call it your “freedom fund”, if you prefer. The type of wealth that means you’re not financially dependent on any employer, client, or scenario, giving you the choice to stay or go. So often in life, we feel we have to simply put up and shut up because we can’t afford to leave a situation that is making us stressed or unhappy. There can be a powerful psychological shift when you don’t feel this way, however. Not “needing” a particular... Read More

I’d like to say a huge thank you to all my clients for your ongoing support and the reviews you’ve left me on VouchedFor. Your reviews mean I am a Top Rated Adviser for the eighth year running. It’s a privilege to be included in VouchedFor’s Top Rated guide, which is published in the Times this weekend.     As you may know, VouchedFor is a review platform that allows the clients of financial advisers and planners to leave honest, verified feedback. As a result, it’s a valuable tool for those seeking professional financial advice. Your reviews and my inclusion in the Top Rated guide support my business ambitions and will enable me to help more people achieve their financial plans... Read More

Global equity investors have enjoyed a remarkable run. The S&P 500, a major US stock market index, rose 24% in 2023, another 23% in 2024, and 16% in 2025. With long-term average returns in the 8-10% range, three consecutive years of above-average performance are something to be grateful for. This time last year, I discussed with many clients the possibility that downside volatility could return after two strong years. It did. Tariff concerns drove a sharp decline in March and April, testing investors’ resolve worldwide. But markets recovered strongly, and those who stayed the course benefited. We started 2026 with the same mindset, and recent events in the Gulf have challenged investors in the same way. Markets have historically tended... Read More

Just over three months after her lengthy Autumn Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves has addressed the House of Commons and delivered the government’s 2026 Spring Statement. Ahead of the Statement, Reeves reinforced the government’s commitment to “one fiscal event, one Budget, a year”. So, it will come as a relief to many, including business owners, that the Spring Statement included no additional tax-raising measures. Furthermore, no changes to pensions or Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) were announced. Reeves also said that household disposable income is set to grow at twice the rate that was forecast in the Autumn Budget – leaving the average person £1,000 better off each year by the next election. That being said, previous announcements, including changes to the... Read More