FAQs

About Nestbox Financial Planning

Yes, we offer independent financial advice. That means we can advise on products and services from all providers and are not restricted in any way.
Yes. Nestbox is regulated through ValidPath.
Yes, you can choose whichever works best for you. Meetings can take place in person or by video call.
Face-to-face meetings are usually held in your home or office. This gives you the flexibility to meet in a setting that feels comfortable and convenient.
Nestbox has been providing financial advice for 2.5 years. Ian has worked as an independent financial adviser for 26 years.
We are based in North Yorkshire. We also work with clients in North Wales, East Anglia and Scotland.
Are your planners Chartered or Certified?
Yes. Ian is Chartered, Certified and accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).
Our focus is on what is important in your life and how your money can enhance your peace of mind and wellbeing. We also invest 100% of client portfolios in ethical and sustainable funds.
What is your FCA registration number?
Our FCA registration number is 1030135. You can use this to find Nestbox on the FCA Register.

Working together

You can book an initial meeting by emailing ian@nestboxfinancialplanning.co.uk. That is the best place to start the conversation.
No. Your initial meeting is free of charge.
A broad overview of your financial situation is helpful. More importantly, come with an open mind about what you want from working together.
The first meeting is a conversation to get to know each other. It is a chance to see whether we want to work together, whether Nestbox can provide value, and to answer your key questions.
Please allow around an hour. That usually gives enough time for a proper conversation without feeling rushed.
No. There is no commitment at this stage, so you can take time to decide whether working with Nestbox feels like a good fit.
At a minimum, you will hear from us once a year. In practice, it is likely to be three or four times in the first year, so you feel comfortable and confident that everything is working as you expect.
Yes, cashflow forecasting is an integral part of our service. It helps confirm you are on track and lets us model different “what if” scenarios for you.
Your financial plan is always a work in progress. If your circumstances change, we will respond together to changes in your personal life and the wider world.
Yes. We are keen to make sure our advice is aligned with the other professionals you engage with.
Yes, we can provide a generic example. The real value, though, comes when you see your own information brought to life.
Yes. You will have access to our investment platforms so you can see the value of your investments online.
You will meet with your financial planner at least once a year. We can meet more often if your circumstances change or if you have questions that are better answered face to face than by phone or email.

Advice areas

No. Mortgage advice is not part of our service.
No. Where this is appropriate, we would refer you to independent specialists in this area.
Yes. Personal pensions are one of the areas we can advise on.
No. Occupational pension advice is not part of our service.
Yes. We will review your existing plans and, where appropriate, recommend consolidation based on costs, features and alignment with your values.
Yes. We can help you take your pension in a tax-efficient way.
Yes. In fact, we only help clients invest in ethical and sustainable investments.
Yes. We will look at the practical side of the money, but also what it means to you, including your hopes for it and any emotions around receiving it.
Yes. We can advise on self-invested personal pensions.
No. This is not an area we advise on.
Yes. Ian is an accredited adviser with the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).
Yes. We will explore what you want to happen with your money during your lifetime and on your death.
Yes. We can advise on investments such as ISAs.
No. Protection advice is not part of our service.

Fees and value

Yes. Your initial consultation is free.
We charge fixed fees for our professional services. The fee depends on the complexity of your situation and the level of contact and support you want.
Our minimum fee is £2,500 for a financial plan and the implementation of advice, and then £200 per month on subscription. We will explain the costs clearly before any work begins.
A financial plan typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000. The exact fee depends on your circumstances.
We charge fixed fees for initial planning, investment implementation and ongoing support. We believe this is a fairer and more transparent way of working.
No. We do not receive commission.
No. We do not charge VAT on our fees.
We only remain in business and grow if clients are happy with the service they receive. They stay with us for the long term and recommend us to family and friends.
A guide to our charges is available here. Your precise fee will be provided in writing before any work starts.

Who we work with

Yes, retirement planning is a core part of our work. We will explore what retirement means to you, what you want life after work to look like, and how the capital you have built up can support that.
We often work with people who are starting to think about stopping work but are not yet sure whether they can afford to. We then continue working with them throughout retirement to help them achieve peace of mind, a sense of wellbeing and support as health needs change.
Yes. We work with both company directors and self-employed clients.
Yes. This is a key part of the work we do.
Yes. We help clients deal with both the financial and emotional aspects of receiving an inheritance.
Yes. We can help if you have sold a business or are in the process of selling one.
Yes. We support widows and widowers at times of financial and emotional stress, especially where the person who died used to deal with the finances.
Yes. We are happy to review your existing assets and make recommendations where appropriate.
We generally provide best value for people with more than £250,000. That helps make sure the service is the right fit for what you need.

Trust, safety and compliance

Most of the investments we recommend are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. We can explain this clearly as part of our advice.
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, we would hope to have a conversation first so we can try to put things right. If you want to make a formal complaint, this would be dealt with through our support network, ValidPath Limited.
We keep your data secure on a cloud-based system. Access is controlled, and we only share information with your permission.
Yes. We have professional indemnity insurance provided through ValidPath Limited.
You can check our authorisation on the FCA Register. This lets you verify our regulatory status independently.