FAQs
Find answers to the questions you may have before choosing a financial planning partner, so you feel clear and confident before you get in touch.
Do you offer independent financial advice?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning offers independent financial advice.
Does the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulate you?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Can I choose between meeting in person or on a video call?
Yes. We offer in-person meetings, telephone appointments, and video calls, depending on what works best for you.
Where are face-to-face meetings held?
Face-to-face meetings can be held at our office in Tavistock. Where appropriate, we may also be able to arrange home visits.
Do you have parking at your office?
We do not have parking directly outside our office, but there is plenty of parking nearby in Tavistock. Many clients use Bedford Car Park, which is a short walk away. There is also street parking available around Tavistock.
How long has Hansford Bell been providing financial advice?
Hansford Bell Financial Planning has been providing financial advice since 2008.
Where are you based, and do you work with clients outside your local area?
We are based in Tavistock, Devon, and work with clients across the south-west and throughout the UK.
Are your advisers/planners Chartered or Certified?
Hansford Bell Financial Planning is a Chartered financial planning firm, and several of our planners hold Chartered status.
Does your firm hold Chartered status?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning holds Chartered status, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Does your firm hold Accredited status?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning holds Accredited status, awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Do you have any client reviews or written/video testimonials, and where can I view them?
Yes. Client reviews, written testimonials, and video testimonials will be available to view on our website.
What makes your firm different from other financial advisers and planners?
Our advice starts with what matters most to you. Before we talk about products, investments, or planning strategies, we take time to understand your goals, priorities, and the life you want your money to support.
What is your FCA registration number?
Our FCA registration number is 482388.
What are the key cities, towns and areas you work with clients in?
We work with clients in Tavistock, Plymouth, across the south-west, and throughout the UK.
Can you advise on mortgages?
We do not advise on mortgages directly, but we can refer you to a local firm in Tavistock.
Can you advise on equity release?
Yes. We can advise on equity release.
Can you advise on personal pensions?
Yes. We can advise on personal pensions.
Can you advise on occupational pensions?
Yes. We can advise on occupational pensions.
Can you help me consolidate multiple pensions?
Yes. We can help you review and, where appropriate, consolidate multiple pensions.
Can you help me take my pension tax-efficiently?
Yes. We can help you understand your options and plan how to take your pension tax-efficiently.
Can you help with ethical or sustainable investing?
Yes. We can help with ethical and sustainable investing.
Can you help me invest an inheritance I’ve received?
Yes. We can help you decide how to invest an inheritance in a way that supports your wider financial goals.
Can you advise on Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)?
Yes. We can advise on Self-Invested Personal Pensions.
Can you advise on Final Salary or Defined Benefit transfers?
No. We do not advise on Final Salary or Defined Benefit pension transfers.
Do you offer advice on long-term care or later-life planning?
Yes. We offer advice on long-term care and later-life planning.
Can you help with Inheritance Tax planning or estate planning?
Yes. We can help with Inheritance Tax planning and estate planning.
Can you advise on investments such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)?
Yes. We can advise on investments, including Individual Savings Accounts.
Can you advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover, and income replacement?
Yes. We can advise on protection, including life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes. We offer an initial consultation at our cost.
How do you charge for financial advice?
The way we charge depends on the service you need. Our minimum fee is £1,000, and a typical financial plan costs £1,500. We will explain any fees clearly before you decide to work with us. For more information, visit our fees page.
What is your minimum fee?
Our minimum fee is £1,000.
What do you typically charge for a financial plan?
A financial plan typically costs £1,500.
Do you charge fixed fees or a percentage of my investments?
Our ongoing feeds are usually charged as a percentage of the investments we manage for you. For more information on our planning, implementation, and ongoing fees, head to our fees page.
Do you get commission?
We only receive commission on protection products and equity release. We do not receive commission for investment advice.
Do you charge VAT?
No. We do not charge VAT.
How do I know if your fees are competitive?
We believe our fees are competitive and reflect the quality, experience, and service we provide.
How do your fees compare to other advisers/planners?
Our fees are fair and in line with the service we offer. We will always explain costs clearly, so you can make an informed decision.
How can I find your fees?
Our fees are available here.
Are my investments protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
Yes. Eligible investments may be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
What happens if something goes wrong or I have a complaint?
If something goes wrong, you have a complaint, or you would like to speak to someone, please contact Becky Adams.
How do you keep my personal data secure?
We use secure back-office systems and processes to help keep client information safe and protected in line with GDPR.
Are you insured to give financial advice?
Yes. We are insured to give financial advice.
How can I check your FCA registration and authorisation?
You can check our registration and authorisation on the Financial Conduct Authority register.
Do you have client stories or case studies I can read?
Yes. Client stories and case studies will be available on our website.
How do you measure client satisfaction?
We measure client satisfaction through client surveys.
Have you won any awards or accreditations?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning has been named in Citywire’s Top 100 financial advice firms from 2021 to 2025.
Are you featured on VouchedFor?
Yes. Hansford Bell Financial Planning is featured on VouchedFor.
Can you help me retire early?
Yes. Whether early retirement is possible will depend on your circumstances, but we can help you understand your position and explore your options.
Can you help me plan my retirement?
Yes. We can help you plan for retirement and understand how your finances can support the life you want.
What type of clients do you typically work with?
We typically work with business owners, people who are retired or approaching retirement, and clients with more complex estate planning or Inheritance Tax needs.
Do you work with younger clients who are still building wealth?
Yes. We can work with younger clients who are still building wealth.
Do you work with company directors or self-employed clients?
Yes. We work with company directors, business owners, and self-employed clients.
Do you work with clients approaching retirement or already retired?
Yes. We work with clients who are approaching retirement, as well as those who are already retired.
Can you help clients who have inherited money?
Yes. We can help clients make informed decisions after receiving an inheritance.
Can you help clients who have sold, or are in the process of selling, a business?
Yes. We can help clients who have sold, or are preparing to sell, a business.
Can you help clients manage their finances after a bereavement?
Yes. We can help clients make sense of their finances after a bereavement, with care and sensitivity.
Do you specialise in working with business owners, retirees, or professionals?
Yes. We work closely with business owners, people approaching or in retirement, and clients with more complex financial planning needs.
Do you offer financial advice for expats or non-UK residents?
Potentially. We can only provide advice when the client is on UK soil, so please contact us to discuss your circumstances.
Can you help if I already have existing investments or pensions elsewhere?
Yes. We can review your existing investments and pensions and help you understand how they fit into your wider plan.
Is there a minimum amount of investable assets or income I need to become a client?
We have a minimum fee of £1,000.
How can I book an initial meeting?
You can book an initial meeting by completing our website enquiry form, calling our office, or visiting us in person.
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
No. Your initial consultation is at our cost.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
We will send you an email confirming your meeting and include some documents you can complete beforehand. You do not have to complete them, but they can help make the first meeting more useful. It is also helpful to bring details of any financial products you would like us to review.
What happens in the first meeting?
The first meeting is about getting to know each other. We will talk through your circumstances, what you need help with, and what you want to achieve. Your planner will also explain more about Hansford Bell and how we may be able to help.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
Please allow around 1.5 hours for your initial meeting.
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
No. You do not have to make a decision straight away. We will give you the information you need, so you can take time to consider whether you would like to work with us.
Do you have a female adviser or planner I can work with?
Yes. Emma Bird and Becky Adams are both female financial planners, as well as directors and shareholders of Hansford Bell.
What happens if my financial planner is away on holiday?
Your financial planner’s assistant will be available to help with any queries. If advice is needed, another planner in the team will be able to assist.
How often will I hear from my financial adviser or planner?
We conduct annual reviews with clients. However, we are always available if you need to speak to your planner between reviews. We will also keep in touch through newsletters and other updates.
Do you offer cashflow forecasting/planning as part of your service?
Yes. We use cashflow forecasting and planning to help clients understand their financial future more clearly.
What happens if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, we can arrange a meeting to discuss what has happened, review your plan, and consider whether any changes are needed.
Can you work alongside my accountant or solicitor?
Yes. We regularly work alongside accountants and solicitors to help provide joined-up advice for our clients.
Can you co-ordinate with my mortgage adviser if they need information from you?
Yes. We can work with your mortgage adviser and provide the information they need where appropriate.
What happens if my adviser leaves the firm?
Many of our planners are directors and shareholders of the business, so continuity is a key part of our service. If your adviser did leave, you would remain in safe hands with Hansford Bell and be introduced to another planner.
Can I see an example of a financial plan?
Yes. We have an example financial plan we can talk you through, so you can understand what to expect.
Will I be able to see the value of my investments online?
Yes. You will have access to an online portal where you can view the value of your investments.
Do you provide an online portal for clients?
Yes. We provide an online portal for clients to view their investments.
How often will I meet with my adviser or planner?
We provide annual reviews as part of our ongoing service.
01822 617960
info@www.hansfordbell.co.uk
Production