FAQs

To create a culture where the fair treatment of our clients is at the core of everything we do, essentially we treat every client like mum and dad, even if that means we tell them we can’t help or it would be more cost effective for them to do it themselves, should they desire.

That culture extends to every member of the team and that everyone is accountable for their conduct, taking due care and diligence in all their actions.

Yes, we offer an initial meeting at no cost, giving you the opportunity to discuss your circumstances, objectives and what you are looking to achieve.

This first conversation is designed to help both sides understand whether we are the right fit to work together. We will outline how we approach financial planning, the areas we can support with and what ongoing advice would look like.

There is no obligation to proceed, and no pressure — just a clear, straightforward discussion to help you decide your next steps.

We do things differently. As independent financial advisers, we are not tied to any providers, sales targets or product incentives, meaning our advice is free from bias and focused entirely on what is right for you.

In a market where true independence is becoming increasingly rare, we believe this is essential. It allows us to cut through industry noise and provide clear, honest and well-structured financial planning that is built around your goals, not driven by products.

Our approach is grounded in long term thinking and strong relationships. We take the time to understand your full financial position, challenge where needed and guide you through important decisions with clarity and confidence. It is the same standard of advice we would give our own families, with a genuine commitment to doing the right thing at every stage.

We work with individuals, families and business owners who want a clear, structured approach to managing their finances. Many of our clients have built significant assets, typically £150,000 or more of investable wealth, and are looking for expert guidance to manage, grow and protect it effectively.

Clients often come to us when they are approaching key financial decisions, such as retirement, business changes or planning for the next generation. This includes those looking to structure their wealth more efficiently, manage investments with greater discipline and address considerations such as inheritance tax planning.

They value long term relationships, thoughtful advice and the confidence that comes from having a trusted adviser providing clarity, oversight and ongoing support as their circumstances evolve.

This is one of the most important questions you can ask, and rightly so.

As a firm, Celtic Financial Planning is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we must meet strict standards around how we advise, operate and look after our clients. We only recommend regulated products and work with established, reputable providers, giving you an additional layer of protection.

Where applicable, your investments may be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This provides protection in the event that a regulated provider is unable to meet its obligations, although the level of cover can vary depending on the type of product.

We also hold professional indemnity insurance, adding a further safeguard for our clients.

It is important to understand that while these protections exist, the value of investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you originally invested. Market movements are a normal part of investing, which is why we focus on building well structured, long term strategies designed to manage risk and support your financial goals.

Our role is to ensure your financial planning is robust, transparent and aligned with your objectives, so you can move forward with confidence.

Yes, Celtic Financial Planning is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 809204. This means we operate under strict regulatory standards, designed to protect clients and ensure advice is suitable, transparent and in your best interests.

75% of our advisers are Chartered Financial Planners, which represents the highest standard of qualification in the financial planning profession. This reflects advanced technical knowledge, ongoing professional development and a commitment to delivering high quality advice.

A Chartered Financial Planner provides advice to the highest professional standards, focusing on helping you make informed, long term financial decisions. This typically includes structuring your investments, planning for retirement, managing tax efficiently and ensuring your wealth supports your wider life goals.

At Celtic Financial Planning, we take a holistic approach, bringing all aspects of your finances together into a clear, structured plan. Our role is to provide clarity, challenge where needed and help you stay on track as your circumstances evolve.

Our financial planning process is structured, thorough and built around your individual goals. We start by understanding your current position, objectives and priorities before creating a clear, tailored plan.

This typically includes reviewing your investments, pensions, tax position and wider financial arrangements. We then implement agreed recommendations and provide ongoing advice, ensuring your plan remains aligned as your circumstances and objectives evolve.

No two clients are the same, which is why our advice is always tailored to your specific situation. We take time to understand your financial position, family circumstances, business interests and long term goals.

This allows us to build a plan that reflects your priorities, risk profile and time horizons, ensuring every recommendation is relevant, practical and aligned with what you are looking to achieve.

We believe in being clear and transparent when it comes to fees, ensuring you understand both the costs and the value of the advice you receive.

We offer an initial meeting at no cost, giving you the opportunity to discuss your circumstances and understand how we can help, without any obligation.

For pensions and investment advice, our initial advice fee is typically between 1.00% and 2.00% of the amount invested, subject to a minimum of £1,000. This can usually be paid directly from your investment or separately if preferred.

If you choose to receive ongoing advice, our annual fee is typically between 0.60% and 1.00%, depending on the level of service and the investment solution in place. This covers regular reviews, ongoing guidance and continued support as your circumstances evolve.

For mortgage advice, we typically charge a fee of £595, payable on completion, and may also receive commission from the lender. For equity release, our typical advice fee is £995, also payable on completion, in addition to any lender commission.

For protection policies, we are usually paid commission directly by the provider, meaning you do not pay a separate fee.

These charges are a guide, and we will always confirm and agree fees with you in advance. As independent financial advisers, we can offer different fee structures depending on your needs, which will be clearly outlined in our client agreement.

We believe our Conduct & Culture is vital to the success of our business. We strive to have the right ethics, mission statement and objectives within the business to ensure we have the right business purpose, good honest leadership, the right approach to rewarding people and corporate governance.

We make this a regular discussion point at our board meetings, as an example its why none of our team have sales targets.

Financial planning is constantly evolving, with changes to legislation, tax rules and investment markets. Our team is committed to ongoing professional development, completing regular training and continuing professional development through organisations such as the Chartered Insurance Institute.

This ensures our advice remains up to date, relevant and aligned with current best practice.

Yes, we actively support the ongoing development of our team, encouraging further qualifications, training and career progression within financial planning.

This commitment ensures you benefit from knowledgeable, well trained professionals who are focused on delivering high standards of advice both now and in the future.

Yes, we use technology, including AI tools, to support our advice process and improve efficiency. This may include securely recording and summarising meetings to ensure accuracy and consistency in our documentation.

However, our approach remains firmly built around personal relationships and face to face advice. Technology is used to enhance the service we provide, not replace it. Every recommendation is made by an experienced financial adviser who understands your individual circumstances and goals.

We believe the right balance is combining modern technology with clear, personal advice, giving you the best of both.

No. B Corp certification requires ongoing commitment. Businesses must recertify regularly and demonstrate continuous improvement across governance, environmental impact and social responsibility.

This ensures high standards are maintained and reflects a genuine, long term commitment to responsible business practices.

Supporting our community is a core part of how we operate. We work closely with local charities, community groups, schools and organisations, with our team actively involved in supporting causes that matter to them.

We are proud to sponsor local sports clubs and community initiatives, helping provide opportunities, experiences and support at a grassroots level. Alongside this, we run the Celtic Community Network, a not for profit business network designed to bring together local organisations, encourage collaboration and create a positive impact across the region.

We also take a considered approach to how we operate as a business, working with responsible suppliers and like minded organisations wherever possible, ensuring our impact is positive both locally and more widely.

Being carbon positive means we offset more carbon emissions than we produce. We achieve this through a combination of reducing our environmental impact, sourcing renewable energy, planting trees and purchasing verified carbon offset credits.

This forms part of our wider commitment to operating responsibly and contributing positively beyond financial planning.

Being a Certified B Corporation means we meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. It reflects how we operate as a business, not just what we say.

For our clients, it provides reassurance that we are committed to doing the right thing, balancing financial outcomes with wider responsibility to our community and the environment.

There is no perfect time, but many clients come to us when they are building significant assets, approaching retirement or facing major financial decisions such as business changes or inheritance planning.

The earlier you have a clear plan in place, the more opportunities there may be to improve outcomes over the long term.