AI Issue 11 2017

Acquisition International - November 2017 51 Prosperity IFA is a firm of independent financial advisors and mortgage brokers offering holistic advice to clients from all walks of life. We spoke to Independent Financial Advisor Simon Munday to explore how the firm came to win ‘Leading Independent Financial Adviser of the Year – UK’ in our Leading Adviser Awards 2017. ounded in 2012, Prosperity IFA is an independent financial advice company based in East Sussex providing insurance, investments, mortgages, pensions and Inheritance Tax Planning. Simon discusses how the firm has flourished since it was established to offer a vast array of services. “Since inception Prosperity IFA has grown from a one advisor firm with myself at the helm, to a firm with 14 advisors covering Kent, Sussex and Surrey. We have several office locations and some of the advisors work from home. The head office is based in Crowborough, East Sussex and there are other offices in East Grinstead and Polegate. From these bases, we advise clients on a wide variety of objectives starting with those who are just starting out on their investment journey through to individuals who are looking for inheritance tax planning and wealth management. Additionally, we assist clients who are looking for mortgages and life assurance products and ensure that clients are always on track for meeting their long-term goals and aspirations.” Central to the firm’s success is its client focused approach, which helps Prosperity IFA to provide bespoke solutions tailored to the client’s individual needs, as Simon is eager to emphasise. “Our business is 100% focused around our clients and their goals, our whole investment strategy is a goals based approach. It is important to us that we understand what our clients are trying to achieve and also when. From gaining a real understanding of their goals and objectives it allows us to provide solutions that are tailor-made to the individual rather than pigeonholing clients to suit products. “To ensure excellence at all times, we have a robust and repeatable process which means that all of our advisors work in exactly the same way and therefore every client has a similar experience. Our in-house investment committee coupled with outsourcing to a couple of discretionary fund managers allows us to build investment propositions for clients looking to achieve a huge variety of outcomes.” Staff are key factor in the firm’s success, and as such Simon is proud to be able to thank them as he Company: Prosperity IFA Contact: Simon Munday (Independent Financial Advisor) Address: Tubwell Farm, Tubwell Lane, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 3RQ, UK Telephone: 01892 300303 Contact Email: simon. [email protected] Web Address: www.prosperityifa.com Personalised Service to Bring Prosperity F 1711AI47 highlights how important this award is to him and the Prosperity IFA team. “It is an honour to be a part of the Leading Advisor Awards 2017 and it is always nice to be recognised for the hard work that we put in. In an industry where we are so heavily regulated and we have so much to consider, to be acknowledged as a leader in your field is something to be extremely proud of. “This success can be attributed to everyone in the firm, from the Directors right through to the admin and support staff, because everyone plays their part and contributes to the overall experience for the client, and as such I am proud of everything that we have all achieved together.” Looking ahead, Simon’s ongoing focus for Prosperity IFA is on supporting clients regardless of their wealth, as he explains in his concluding comments. “Following the RDR a few years ago we were really keen to come up with a proposition that helps to bridge the advice gap that has been created so that we can continue to work with a wide variety of clients. As such, we have an automated advice service for clients with a lower net worth, typically up to £50,000 of investable assets, that has proved very popular. The expertise behind the solution is not dissimilar to our larger clients but we are able to cut out the costs involved with a face to face service. “Alongside this, we also have a variety of investment solutions available to clients with higher levels of investable assets and expertise in looking at all aspects of a portfolio, including construction and tax efficiency. For our higher net worth individuals, typically with investable assets of over £1,000,000 we can also offer a bespoke investment solution. This flexible approach will remain our core aim as we seek to build upon our current success. “Fundamentally, we are always looking at ways that we can drive the business forwards, our service and proposition is second to none and through this we will continue to grow the firm and reputation over the coming years. We are due to open a second office in Crowborough shortly which will provide us with many great opportunities for further success.”