Client portal

Bob Burch

Chartered Financial Planner
07966 214991 bob@bobburchfp.co.uk

Chartered Financial Planner

Chartered status is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and is considered the “gold standard” financial planning accreditation. Chartered status is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to upholding professional standards and adhering to a professional Code of Ethics.

FPFS - Fellow of the Personal Finance Society

Fellowship is the highest level of professional achievement awarded by the Personal Finance Society, reflecting advanced technical knowledge and professional commitment.

CFP - Certified Financial Planner

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification is the standard for financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards, and commit to the CFP Board to serve their clients’ best interests.

On the job

On the job

With more than four decades of financial services experience, including 15 years in retail banking and 29 years as a financial adviser, Bob specialises in pensions and investments. Today, he continues to help clients feel supported, understood, and confident that their life savings are being carefully looked after.

Qualifications

Professional qualifications demonstrate the technical knowledge, expertise, and ongoing learning that support the financial advice you receive.

View qualifications

Qualifications

  • Level 3 Award in Long Term Care Insurance

    This level 3 award develops the knowledge and understanding of long-term care cover, including legal, taxation and regulatory issues and the responsibilities of local authorities.

  • Cert CII (ER) - Certificate in Equity Release

    The Level 3 Certificate in Equity Release meets the FCA’s requirement for mortgage advisers and those advising on equity release schemes. In addition to developing advisory skills, the Certificate offers an understanding of equity release regulation, products, market practice, and customer needs.

  • Certificate in Investment Operations

    The Level 3 Certificate in Investment Operations provides essential knowledge and skills for those working in a range of administrative and operational investment roles.

  • Certificate in Financial Services

    This route develops knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry in general, including regulation and legislation, and the fundamental aspects of customer service, administration and marketing in financial services, and key retail investment products.

  • R07 - Advanced Mortgage Advice

    Advanced Mortgage Advice (R07) develops knowledge and understanding of the key elements of the mortgage process, specialist types of mortgage lending and to test candidates' ability to give appropriate mortgage advice to clients with complex needs and circumstances.

  • DipPFS - Diploma in Financial Planning

    This level 4 diploma meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for retail investment advisers, demonstrating core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities across six core areas.

  • CertPFS (DM) - Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management

    The RQF Level 4 Certificate in Discretionary Investment Management develops the wealth strategy and portfolio management skills required for effective discretionary investment management. The qualification satisfies the FCA appropriate qualification requirements for this class of business.

  • CertCII (Life and Pensions) - Certificate in Financial Planning (Life & Pensions route)

    The life and pensions route builds knowledge and understanding of the sector’s role and its activities. It considers important customer needs, solutions and products, and how individuals and organisations work within the regulatory and legislative environment.

  • FPC - Financial Planning Certificate

    A recognition offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute in the United Kingdom. Individuals who hold this qualification have satisfied coursework and testing requirements set by the organisation.

  • Level 3 Award in Financial Administration

    This RQF Level 3 award provides the essential knowledge and skills needed by those working in administrative and operational life or pensions roles. The Award offers the choice between life or pensions administration, each satisfying the FCA qualification requirements for overseers of certain administrative life and pensions functions.

  • Certificate in Regulated Financial Services Operations

    This Level 3 certificate develops the essential knowledge and skills needed by those working in administrative and operational roles.

  • Level 4 Award in Pensions Update

    This single unit qualification develops and tests knowledge of pension reforms and how they impact at-retirement advice.

  • AdvDipIP - Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning

    This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities, covering topics such as personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.

  • Cert CII (MP) - Certificate in Mortgage Advice

    The Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, enabling advisers to meet individual client needs.

After hours

After hours

Bob enjoys spending his free time with his wife Kate and their three daughters, whether visiting them or having them home. He also enjoys European holidays, particularly the Greek islands, walks with his dachshunds, Ralphie and Rodney, and a glass of white wine on a summer evening.

On an ideal weekend, where can we find you?

Working for an hour or so, then watching sport on TV or out walking the dogs.

Who would be at your dream dinner party?

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, and Sir Stephen Fry.

What activity would you win an Olympic medal in?

Sudoku.

What was your proudest moment as an IFA?

Being invited to a client’s daughter’s wedding because I was seen as “not just our adviser”, but “part of our family.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Being trusted by clients, looking after their life savings, and being recommended to their friends and family.

Who do you most enjoy working with?

Enthusiastic, honest people who want to do right by their clients.

Meet the team

By your side

Your financial plan is supported by a team of experienced people who take the time to understand what matters.
Chris Palmer

Managing Director & Chartered Financial Planner

Meet Chris
Becky Adams

Chartered Financial Planner & Head of Financial Planning

Meet Becky
Ross Biddiss

Director & Chartered Financial Planner

Meet Ross
Emma Bird

Financial Planning Director

Meet Emma
Rich Sykes

Chartered Financial Planner

Meet Rich
Laura Hendriksen

Financial Planner

Meet Laura
Jordan Colclough

Chartered Financial Planner

Meet Jordan
David Pimlott

Financial Planner

Meet David
Janine Palmer

HR Director

Meet Janine
Tori Smith

Paraplanner

Meet Tori
Paula Tremblett

Paraplanner

Meet Paula
Hannah Adams

Associate Paraplanner

Meet Hannah
Caitlin Stephens

Financial Planning Assistant

Meet Caitlin
James Redfern

Financial Planning Assistant

Meet James
Claire Palmer

Financial Planning Assistant

Meet Claire
Callum Plokker

Financial Planning Assistant

Meet Callum
Lauren Black

Compliance and Operations Administrator

Meet Lauren

Our reviews

Service worth celebrating

Read what clients say about us, from independent reviews and client surveys to personal experiences shared in their own words.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Bill Beaton profile picture 
 
 
 Bill Beaton 
 
30 April 2026
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been a client of Hansford Bell Financial Planners of Tavistock Devon for several years-and Ross Biddiss of that Firm is my Financial Planner.I thoroughly recommend the Firm and Ross .He has always dealt promptly with all matters that concern me-and has always given trustworthy and sound financial advice.Ross is a very competent and reliable Financial Planner.--- - -Bill Beaton
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 walter allen profile picture 
 
 
 walter allen 
 
25 April 2026
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Always extremely helpful and professional. We feel we can trust them with our financial affairs.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Paul Fryer profile picture 
 
 
 Paul Fryer 
 
15 April 2026
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Excellent service from all at Hansford Bell. Professional advice and support, ensuring all my family requirements are met. Experts in their field and highly recommended.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 stephanie Witherall profile picture 
 
 
 stephanie Witherall 
 
15 April 2026
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Very professional service helpful and friendly staff
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 June Jackson profile picture 
 
 
 June Jackson 
 
11 April 2026
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I have been a client of Hansford Bell for many years and have always found them highly professional.  They are very knowledgeable as well as being pleasant and easy to deal with.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Google Google 
 
 Rebecca Houlden profile picture 
 
 
 Rebecca Houlden 
 
7 June 2020
 
 
 Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Emma has been very professional and has a great foundation of knowledge. She has made me feel very comfortable and has been very helpful!

0

of clients believe that working with us has, or will, help them achieve their financial goals

0

of clients would recommend us to their friends, family, or colleagues

0

of clients were very satisfied that we understood their needs, goals, aspirations, and objectives

Hansford Bell Financial Planning
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance (opens in a new tab)
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.