What is financial planning and why is it important?

Financial planning is about more than just pure numbers - it’s about creating a clear, personalised and tailored strategy for your life and your goals. Whether you're thinking about life beyond work, saving or wishing to help for your children’s future, or simply looking to make the most of your income, a solid, well thought through financial plan helps you make informed decisions with confidence. It brings clarity, peace of mind, and a greater sense of control over your financial future. And that is where we help.

What is the difference between a financial advisor and a financial planner?

We believe that a Financial Planner should provide a holistic approach to your finances to ensure everything is aligned with your plans and goals for the future. A traditional financial advisor is more likely to provide transactional advice, providing you with a product to meet a specific need. An important part of working with a financial planner is the ongoing nature of the relationship to ensure that you and your finances remain on track.

How much does financial planning cost?

FFP have always provided fee based financial planning so clients have complete transparency on exactly how much it will cost before engaging with our services. We’re passionate about keeping fees to a minimum and an important part of our investment solution is to control all costs to ensure more money stays in our clients’ pockets. The fees for FFP’s services will be disclosed at the Discovery Meeting and will be dependent on the level of service you require and the complexity of your financial situation.

How do you decide the best ways to invest?

Financial planning is about more than just pure numbers - it’s about creating a clear, personalised and tailored strategy for your life and your goals. Whether you're thinking about life beyond work, saving or wishing to help for your children’s future, or simply looking to make the most of your income, a solid, well thought through financial plan helps you make informed decisions with confidence. It brings clarity, peace of mind, and a greater sense of control over your financial future. And that is where we help.

How much money do i need to benefit from financial planning?

Financial planning can benefit anyone looking to bring clarity and direction to their financial life. That said, the value of advice tends to increase as your financial world becomes more complex. Here at Fort Financial Planning, we work best with individuals and families who have built significant wealth or are in the process of doing so - whether through business, investments, property, or career success. That’s where our expertise can have the greatest impact, helping to preserve, grow, and structure your wealth effectively.

FAQs

No question is too small when it comes to your financial future.

We believe in clear, jargon-free guidance to help you feel confident while considering your finances. Below you'll find answers to some of the questions we're asked most often. Of course, everyone's circumstances are unique - so think of this as a helpful starting point. When you're ready, get in touch and we’ll take the next step together.

Financial planning is about more than just pure numbers - it’s about creating a clear, personalised and tailored strategy for your life and your goals.
Whether you're thinking about life beyond work, saving or wishing to help for your children’s future, or simply looking to make the most of your income, a solid, well thought through financial plan helps you make informed decisions with confidence. It brings clarity, peace of mind, and a greater sense of control over your financial future. And that is where we help.
We believe that a Financial Planner should provide a holistic approach to your finances to ensure everything is aligned with your plans and goals for the future.
A traditional financial advisor is more likely to provide transactional advice, providing you with a product to meet a specific need. An important part of working with a financial planner is the ongoing nature of the relationship to ensure that you and your finances remain on track.
FFP have always provided fee based financial planning so clients have complete transparency on exactly how much it will cost before engaging with our services. We’re passionate about keeping fees to a minimum and an important part of our investment solution is to control all costs to ensure more money stays in our clients’ pockets. The fees for FFP’s services will be disclosed at the Discovery Meeting and will be dependent on the level of service you require and the complexity of your financial situation.
There’s no ‘perfect’ age to start financial planning - what matters more is your situation and what’s happening in your life. Everyone can benefit from a clear plan, whether you're just starting out or well established.

Some people seek advice when they receive an inheritance, take on a higher salary, or want to be more tax efficient. Others come to us after years of focusing on growing a business, ready to turn their attention to their own personal finances. You might be thinking ahead to your children’s future or simply want to feel more in control of your own.

Whatever the trigger, it’s never too early - or too late - to start building a financial plan that works for you.
Financial planning can benefit anyone looking to bring clarity and direction to their financial life. That said, the value of advice tends to increase as your financial world becomes more complex.

Here at Fort Financial Planning, we work best with individuals and families who have built significant wealth or are in the process of doing so - whether through business, investments, property, or career success. That’s where our expertise can have the greatest impact, helping to preserve, grow, and structure your wealth effectively.

If you’re not sure whether financial planning is right for you just yet, we’re always happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction.
A Discovery Meeting is an opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other over a coffee. We will have a chat through your personal circumstances and discuss your thoughts and ideas for the future. The meeting should take no longer than 1 ½ hours and by the end of the Discovery Meeting we will be able to establish whether our financial planning services will be able to add value to you and your family and ultimately whether you want us to join you on your financial planning journey.
We’re here to help and even if our services aren’t suitable then the planner will provide help and guidance to ensure you take something away with you from the meeting. Discovery meetings are completely free of charge and without any obligation.

There are many ways for all of us to be more tax efficient with our money, whether we’re reducing tax on our savings and investments or taking steps to minimise the tax we pay on our income.
FFP’s Tax Reduction Strategy ensures that you receive a personalised strategy which can help save tax throughout your lifetime, whether you’re accumulating wealth for your future, starting to drawdown on your investments or looking at ways to save inheritance tax. Tax savings can really add up and make a huge difference to your current and future lifestyle.
We understand how complicated investing can be, but we build portfolios that are highly diversified, low cost and are suitable for you based on your attitude to risk, timeframe and objectives.
We have an investment philosophy that we’re proud of and believe it provides our clients with the greatest chance of a successful investment experience without taking unnecessary levels of risk.
FFP’s investment committee meet regularly to ensure the portfolios are set up for the future, whether you’re looking to maximise returns, protect your wealth or invest in line with your own personal values.
FFP believe real financial planning is ongoing and we want to accompany you on the journey.
We will ensure that plans are reviewed in detail at least once a year. However, if circumstances change, you have an important life event or a decision to make on your finances then your plan will need to be updated and FFP’s ongoing service means you can meet with us as often as you need without the worry of additional fees to pay.
What should I do if my financial situation changes unexpectedly?
If your financial situation changes or your worried about something, then we’ll arrange to meet with you and review your financial plan in detail. With our sophisticated financial modelling software, we’re able to show you visually where you’re heading and run various scenarios or ‘what ifs’, so you can make good financial decisions and see the long-term impact of these decisions.
We take a family approach to looking after our clients and will happily chat to your children or grandchildren whether it’s providing some helpful advice on money management or buying their first home.
If they’re interested in becoming investors themselves then we have a NextGen service which can really help them get started. If someone else in the family needs help such as dealing with care fees, then we can set up a meeting with them and provide support and advice to help make these important financial decisions and discuss all the options available.
We understand that as your financial planners we know everything about you and your finances and keeping this information safe and confidential is of the highest importance to us.
We run as a paperless office and use the most up to date and secure methods to hold your data, including a secure online client portal to share information with you.
Our systems can only be accessed using multi factor authentication and are backed up daily to ensure the greatest level of protection.