How David went from uncertainty and deferred planning to feeling financially anchored — and free to enjoy his retirement.
The challenge: Years of deferred planning
David retired in 2020 after a successful 30-year career as a business consultant — a profession built on giving trusted advice to others. Yet when it came to his own finances, he found himself in a position many people recognise: knowing he needed professional help but repeatedly putting it off. He says, “The biggest risk wasn’t markets — it was drifting without a plan.”
Work always took priority. Then came a significant life change – a divorce. This complicated his financial picture further and made finding the right adviser feel even more daunting. Despite his professional background, David struggled to find someone he could truly trust.
“I know the value of advice,” he says, “but I couldn’t find the right fit. And it wasn’t just about the individual adviser for me, it was important to see the backing behind them. Retirement should feel purposeful, not uncertain. And I was very much in a space of uncertainty. Despite having been in business for 30 years, I couldn’t find a way out.”
It wasn’t until late 2024 that David finally committed to starting the process, and his message to anyone in a similar position is unequivocal: don’t wait. He says:
Don’t waste time. I drifted and now see that seeking professional guidance earlier – ideally five to ten years before retirement – would have made a meaningful difference.
For anyone approaching that stage of life, he urges them not to make the same mistake: “For me, the real value of advice isn’t just investment returns — it’s clarity and confidence.”
The search: Finding George Agan and Flying Colours Advice
David found George Agan through his YouTube channel. As someone who values education and personal connection, he was drawn to George’s straightforward, knowledgeable approach to explaining financial concepts.
“What stood out to me wasn’t just the clarity of George’s content, but the depth behind it,” David explains. “You can see he invests time understanding the market and interpreting regulatory change in the UK. That gives me confidence I am dealing with someone genuinely steeped in the field — the real deal — not just delivering surface-level advice.”
What also came through is his motivation. He clearly cares about the difference he makes to people’s lives.
He continues, “That combination of depth and intent really set him apart. His approach mirrored what I was looking for, but I still went through a structured process to ensure both the adviser and the firm were right for me.”
But David’s research didn’t stop with George’s YouTube channel and his qualifications. Crucially, he wanted to understand the firm behind the adviser, not just the individual. He researched Flying Colours Advice and its management and its approach and credentials carefully. This included reviewing blog posts, attending webinars (open to non-clients), and reading case studies from real clients.
You look at blog sites on many financial services websites and they’re a year or two out of date. That’s a big red flag for me. It says you don’t have people who put time into sharing their knowledge.
“I went through the case studies before I made a decision,” he recalls. “There’s value in them. Somewhere in those stories, people will find something that relates to them.”
The webinars were pivotal. Attending a Flying Colours webinar hosted by George in early 2025, David was impressed not just by the content, but by the dynamic between the team.
“The whole way the webinar was set up, the communication between the team on the call — it appealed to me. And the confidence I got from that has been borne out in the actual planning process. The structured planning approach and the strength of the firm behind George were just as important as the personal connection.”
Choosing an adviser: Trusting the firm, not just the adviser
Flying Colours Advice client, David
David considered two strong candidates before making his decision. Both came well-regarded and were backed by professional firms. What ultimately swung David’s decision towards George and Flying Colours was the combination of individual rapport and institutional confidence.
George’s onboarding process was structured but flexible. There was no hard sell, and no rushing, just a series of meetings that allowed David to ask questions and build trust at his own pace. “I never felt sold to — I felt guided through a structured process that helped me understand what I wanted my retirement to look like. That was very grounding.”
“At some point you’ve got to commit, and it does feel like a leap of faith,” David acknowledges. “But the process built confidence for me. George was never time-bound. He gently brought me back to where we needed to get to, but there was always room to flex. My situation was more complex than a straightforward retirement, so having that flexibility within a clear structure was important.”
With George, I get both the long-term relationship I was looking for and the support of a professional firm who really provide the backing to what George does with me.
Importantly, David also valued the fact that the adviser team at Flying Colours is highly experienced but also younger than him; a combination he found hard to find elsewhere.
“I had several false starts,” he admits. “I wanted someone with depth of experience, but to put it bluntly, I want them to outlast me! I needed evidence of a track record, and Flying Colours does have that. You’ve got veterans with a clear vision at the top, and you can see from the webinars that the team share knowledge because they’re passionate about helping clients.”
What stood out was the combination of personal relationship and the technical depth behind it.
The outcome: Financially anchored, free to live
Since working with George and Flying Colours, David describes a fundamental shift in how he relates to money and retirement. The planning process helped him clarify goals that had previously existed only as vague intentions, particularly as he navigates life as a single person, post-divorce. “The process helped me turn broad intentions into a clear, structured plan that I am following.”
The annual review process, alongside responsive check-ins throughout the year, means David feels supported, whatever economic or personal challenges arise. “He doesn’t just provide answers — he helps me think things through and make better decisions.”
“In my case, George also provided support in a complex family situation, which made a real difference and reflects the values that he, and the firm, share.”
I feel like I’m now financially anchored, and I can concentrate on living my life. I’m confident that where things need to flex, George has the tools and processes to adapt my financial plan. And that makes a big difference.
“The newsletter updates and regular webinars, particularly around changes to tax and regulation, give me confidence that nothing important is being missed.”
Now settled on the Dorset coast, looking out over Poole Harbour, David is focused on what comes next – enjoying the outdoors, travel, spending time with family, and finally, making the shift from accumulating wealth to enjoying it!
“I don’t worry about my investments when the markets move. I’m not checking them every day. The checkpoints I have with George are more than adequate, and I can easily get in touch if I have concerns. I am focusing on living my life, knowing my financial future is in safe hands. I’ve no need to figure it all out on my own. That’s key to building a long-term relationship, and I’m very happy with that. That’s real peace of mind.”
Please note
This case study is based on the experience of one client. Individual circumstances vary and past outcomes are not indicative of future results.