How it works
The journey towards achieving your financial goals will be unique to you and your family, but your journey with us will follow a similar path to this:
1. Introductory meeting
We’ll organise an introductory “getting to know you” meeting at a time that works for you. This may be in person or on a video call and usually lasts between 45-60 minutes.
2. Discovery meeting
This is an in-depth meeting, sometimes called a “fact-find” and usually lasts two hours. We’ll ask you lots of questions about your current financial situation, but more importantly, we’ll ask about your ideal future.
This is also your opportunity to ask as many questions as you like. So feel free to ask away!
3. Information gathering
Following the meeting, your adviser will investigate all of your existing financial arrangements. This includes identifying all of your existing pensions and investments: where they are, how much is in each and how well they are performing.
4. Building your plan
Once we’ve done all of the investigations and research, your adviser will work with our expert paraplanning team to put together a recommendation report. We use a number of tools, including investment research software, to work out the best solutions for achieving your goals.
5. Presenting your bespoke financial plan
Rather than present you with a report and hope that it all makes sense, your adviser will talk you through it, ensuring that you fully understand every aspect of our proposed financial plan. Again, this is your opportunity
to ask questions and to challenge any aspects of the plan that you’re concerned about.
6. Making it a reality
We’ll only start to implement the plan after you’ve confirmed that you’re happy with the recommendations. This may involve setting up new products, closing old ones or transferring existing products into another.
We’ll take care of everything, keeping you informed of progress as we go.
7. Review
Your adviser will meet with you on a regular basis (at least annually) either in-person or on a video call. This is incredibly important because your financial plan should adapt to your evolving goals and needs over the years. Your adviser will continue to act as a coach and trusted guide to ensure that you stay on track to achieve your short and long-term goals.
I’ve been with Flying Colours for about 8 years. In that time I’ve had really clear advice from Billy that has been very helpful. Billy offers pragmatic and supportive advice as I navigate complex life changes and has helped me feel more confident as I head towards full retirement. My available pension has grown very well which has also been a great help in planning for retirement.
We had such a great experience working with Liv! Navigating our financial arrangements initially felt overwhelming, but Liv made the whole process feel much more manageable. He was kind, clear, and incredibly patient throughout, always taking the time to explain our options in a way that really made sense to us. Thanks to his support, we felt informed and confident in the decisions we were making. We’re really grateful for his guidance and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him.
We have been dealing with Flying Colours for many years now. They have sorted my pension payments and investments with great skill. Looking at the growth of our plans it is clear that we have made the right choice going with them. Our Financial Adviser Billy Ambler is always on hand to help with our questions and is always there to guide us, which he does impeccably. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to our closest family and friends.
Great advice having been referred to Flying Colours via the Money Advice Service, during lockdown in 2020. Advised on consolidating personal pensions, and on an Annuity, right up to my retirement this month. Very friendly and knowledgeable team.
John Munton's guidance and advice helped me to exceed my financial goals and I have been able to retire nearly 4 years earlier than I expected. Over the years we have developed a very good rapport and I trust him and his advice completely. Even after my retirement, John tied up all loose ends and was there to help and signpost me when I needed it. He has left the door open to ask for help should I need to. This reduces the stress of coping without proper financial or money management knowledge that I may need later in life.
I have been a client of Flying Colours for more than 8 years. They have consistently exceeded my expectations with their help and advice, and have provided an excellent level of service. Billy is thorough, very generous with his time and has a super level of empathy with his clients. With the help of Flying Colours I am confident that my pension and financial arrangements are now robust and I am confident that my future years are financially secure.
I cannot tell you how much it has meant to have Russell Bruce’s advice. I no longer worry that I’m not doing enough to feel financially secure and confident about the future, and that has made a huge difference for me. I find him very easy to talk to; he has a lovely professional, friendly manner. I’ve already recommended him to a family member.
Liviu has provided us with invaluable help regarding our pensions and how to best plan for our retirement. He has always made time to explain our options and fully answer any concerns we had. He has always gone the extra mile to ensure we were comfortable with the decisions we made and was endlessly patient.
I asked Billy outright, if Flying Colours would make us that fee back in the first 12 months of managing our pensions. He told me it would and I’m happy to say he was right. We’ve got to know him really well and we completely trust the advice he gives us; advice which, over the years, has covered way more than just our pension.
I had several meetings with Fred to discuss my medium‑ to long‑term goals, my appetite for risk, the kind of retirement I would like and at what age. We then walked through my current finances in detail, and Fred presented the gap between where I am now and where I would like to be, and proposed some changes that could help me achieve my goals in future.
Russ guided me through the process of assessing current and future demands on my finances and the selection of appropriate pension investments. Throughout the process Russ has been very patient and explained clearly different options with their risk/benefit profiles. I have found his manner very supportive.
From the initial meeting, George was able to understand my concerns and present options for how I could move forward. At no point did I feel any pressure, and I felt from the outset that I wanted to establish a long‑term relationship with George.
Ross gave me a lot of very useful information. He explains everything in a clear and concise way and doesn’t fill your head with jargon you may not understand. He keeps it plain and simple. Ross helped me understand how I could claim back overpaid tax and money I had been paying for a service with a previous pension adviser that shouldn’t have been charged.
I’ve been a client of Flying Colours for almost 10 years and it’s proved to be one of the best financial decisions I’ve made. The advice, care and detail given to me has always been fantastic both from my adviser Billy and the whole FC team. I have recommended their services multiple times before and wouldn’t hesitate again! A brilliant company!
Tom expertly guided me through the complex and time-consuming process associated with consolidating several company pensions. Tom has also provided advice on a number of other financial benefits I was previously unaware of.
Liv patiently understood our circumstances and conducted the due diligence required to provide very transparent and exceptionally professional advice. He struck a great balance on long‑term investments, pensions, insurance and retirement. I found Liv very knowledgeable, confident, and personable.
Chris took the time to understand our goals, provided clear explanations of approaches and a thoughtful, well-structured follow up note. Chris' approachable nature and attention to detail was first class. Following our interactions we now have a much clearer understanding of the relevant aspects to our estate planning.
Liviu provided clear, thoughtful pension advice and took the time to explain everything in a way that actually made sense, without any pressure or confusion. I felt like he genuinely cared about helping me make the best long-term decision, not just offering generic guidance. His professionalism, knowledge, and approachable style made the whole process much easier and more reassuring. I now feel far more confident about my pension planning thanks to his support.
Luca encouraged me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – how much risk am I prepared to take, how much income do I really need for my day‑to‑day expenditures, what are my plans for retirement. Luca worked through all the steps of the process at my pace, patiently explaining all the jargon as we progressed.
I’ve been absolutely delighted with the advice and support I’ve received from Maxine Clarke. She took the time to understand my goals, explained my options clearly, and helped structure my retirement plans. I now feel fully informed, supported, and confident about my financial future.
Chris has provided peace of mind enabling us to now retire early. He has taken the time to get to know and understand us, helping us to develop and adapt our strategy. We have an open and transparent relationship with him which builds trust. He is personable and tailors solutions to our needs.