Our History

In early 2001, NOW founders Andrew Morgan and Carl Hilton began to feel disillusioned while working for one of the UK’s largest life assurance companies. At the time, the financial advice industry was heavily product-focused, often offering little or no ongoing support for clients.

They believed there was a better way — one that placed people, not products, at the heart of financial planning. Their vision was simple: to build lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and genuine care, helping clients use their money as a tool to live meaningful, fulfilling lives.

On 19th August 2002, with just 15 potential clients and a clear purpose, NOW Financial Planning was born. From day one, our goal was to provide Life Focused Financial Planning — supporting clients through every stage of life, not just a single transaction.

The Next Chapter

More than 20 years later, and now part of the St. James's Place community, NOW Financial Planning has evolved into a respected, forward-thinking firm. In 2022, Phil Oats and Adam Stott joined Andrew Morgan and Carl Hilton as Directors, marking an exciting new chapter in our growth and leadership.

Today, we’re proud to be a multigenerational Practice, with a team of Financial Planners from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each brings their own specialisms — from retirement and investment planning to business owner advice, estate and intergenerational wealth planning, and protection strategies — ensuring every client receives tailored, expert guidance.

Our Approach

We believe that great financial planning isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about human connection. Our planners take the time to listen carefully, show empathy, and communicate clearly and jargon-free. We focus on what truly matters to our clients: understanding their goals, supporting their ambitions, and helping them live the lives they want.

The world has changed since NOW first began — and so have we. While our core values remain constant, we’ve embraced modern ways of working, offering both face-to-face and virtual meetings to suit our clients’ lifestyles. This flexibility means we can now support business owners, individuals, and families not only across the North West, but throughout the UK.

Our Purpose

At NOW Financial Planning, we never stand still. We continuously ask ourselves how we can deliver more value, clarity, and confidence to those we serve.

With Life Focused Financial Planning at our core, our purpose remains simple:
to improve the lives of every client and help them live free from financial worry — today and for generations to come.