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Thomas Farquhar and his co-founder Simon Roberts have taken on a huge challenge and need to move hard and fast. They started Heatio in April 2022, aiming to help UK homeowners improve…

At a glance In a welcome move in his Spring budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt cut employee National Insurance Contributions for the second time this year. But with tax thresholds frozen, many people find…

At a glance There are countless examples of elite sports stars running into money troubles during or after their short careers. But athletes can avoid such ignominy with the help of financial…

At a glance Putting your family first When you’re in your 40s and 50s, you can sometimes feel like you’re financing three generations, not just one. Many people find themselves caught in…

At a glance “Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?” It used to be a favourite closing question in job interviews – and it could really put you on the…

At a glance Saving for retirement might not be something you think about starting while you’re still reading bedtime stories and going to soft play centres. But opening a pension for your…

At a glance Finding a buyer for your business is a lot like dating. Approaches from potential acquirers are sure to get your attention. They can excite. But they can be a…

At a glance Time to take stock of your ISAs ‘Max out your ISAs.’ It’s the tax year-end mantra that’s all too familiar. But the mantra needs a little refining. While it’s…

At a glance In the past two years, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have faced a troubling swathe of changes to the business and personal tax regimes, including significantly higher Corporation Tax…

At a glance Thinking of selling your second property? Cashing in a share portfolio? When you sell an asset that’s gone up in value since you bought it, you may have to…

At a glance Nobody likes talking about death, and many of us aren’t that keen about talking money either. So it’s not surprising that many of us put estate planning, and IHT…

At a glance Many of us find it hard to think about ourselves, or our parents needing help as we get older. And when we do start to think about it –…

This year’s Spring Budget arrived a tad earlier than usual amidst a backdrop that’s become all too familiar in recent years: rampant speculation and anticipation. Much of the pre-budget discourse centred around…

At a glance News that the UK went into recession at the end of 2023 is a reminder of the tough economic environment facing small businesses. But despite this, the outlook for…

At a glance Many of us will face bigger tax bills this year. With the personal allowance frozen until 2027/28, plus the additional rate threshold dropping to £125,140, taxes will increase by…

At a glance Tax planning can feel like a low priority for new business owners as you understandably focus on getting sales and operations off the ground. But optimising your tax position…

At a glance Once you retire, you pretty much stop paying into your pension and started drawing it. However, many people keep contributing, or keep their pension invested for most of their retirement. Understanding…

At a glance In this article, we look at the four most common emotional responses triggered by money – and how you can manage them. Everyone is prone to letting their heart…

At a glance There comes a point in life when we start to think about what will happen after we’re gone. We all want to do the right thing for our families…

At a glance Many people only start thinking about inheritance when they’re writing their Will*. Deciding who gets what, and how much, certainly focuses your mind. But there is real value, and…

At a glance Capital Gains Tax (CGT) can trip many of us up. It’s a tax on the profit, or ‘gain’ that you make when you sell or even gift an asset…

This article covers the tax issues to consider if you are divorcing and live in England and Wales, or Northern Ireland. Scotland has a different legal structure, so it’s important to speak…

At a glance We all want to do the right thing by our families. Recent research published by St. James’s Place revealed more than two-thirds (69%) of SJP clients expect to provide some form…

At a glance Even though, at time of writing, the inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), has reduced significantly from 10.5% in December 2022 to 4% in December…

At a glance Britt-Marie Monks has rapidly grown her travel consultancy The Honeymoon and Holiday Fixer since start-up in 2016. She has built revenue to an expected £2.3 million in 2024, despite…

At a glance We all recall those life-changing moments. Meeting your life partner for the first time. Taking your newborn baby home or collecting the keys to your first flat. And that…

At a glance If you’re ready to sell your business, or think you might be looking to exit at some point in the future, you’ll need to ensure you do everything you…

At a glance Planning your tax-smart retirement Some days you can’t imagine ever retiring. Other days, it can’t come soon enough. But there will be a day when you want to put…

At a glance The high interest rates available to savers at the moment are a small beacon of light. Seeing your savings earn you a little extra income – at a time…

At a glance How do you imagine your future? Cruising the Norfolk Broads by narrowboat, or relocating to the Bahamas? Maybe you’ve decided that you’d like to start that micro business you…

At a glance Time to take stock of your ISAs We’re all used to checking we’ve made the most of all those annual tax allowances as we head into tax year-end. But…

At a glance Ever heard of anyone paying 60% tax? Chances are not, since, according to HMRC, Income Tax is charged at 0%, 20%, 40% or 45%, depending on how much you…

At a glance It can seem like ‘tempting fate’ to start planning for social care if you might not need it. But an unexpected change in our health or mental capacity can…

At a glance The dip in headline inflation in late 2023 was encouraging. However, many UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still face big challenges, with continuing high price rises and customers…

At a glance Why does tax seem so complicated and confusing? Seven out of ten people see financial advice as full of jargon and convoluted explanations, making us feel less than confident…

At a glance We’ve probably all got one or two money habits that we’d be better off without. Leaving your self-assessment tax return until the last minute for example or skipping an…

At a glance For Reece Donnelly, small-business owner and recent contestant on TV’s The Apprentice, building an effective team has played a big part in his success, helping him to hit £1…

At a glance For many, Christmas isn’t just about festive cheer, endless charades and falling asleep in front of Die Hard. Whether you actually celebrate Christmas or not, the holiday season can…

At a glance Life has a habit of lobbing us curveballs, even if we have the best laid plans for our finances. You can’t predict when you’ll need to help your children…

At a glance Get 2024 off to a tax-smart start The start of a new year is a perfect time of year to break old money habits and make some new ones….

At a glance Putting a tax-smart gift in their Christmas stocking Christmas is the time for giving, but this year, many of us still need to watch every penny. With many families…

At a glance When looking at the value of a company, often financial figures will only tell part of the story. We believe considering non-financial, environmental, social and governance (ESG) elements as…

At a glance Putting your family first When you’re in your 40s and 50s, you can sometimes feel like you’re financing three generations, not just one. Many people find themselves caught in…

At a glance We all want to do the right thing by our families. Recent research published by St. James’s Place revealed more than two-thirds (69%) of SJP clients expect to provide some form…

At a glance We have been living with the cost-of-living crisis since late 2021. Those with young families, and young people in particular are cutting back wherever possible – a quarter of…

At a glance Even if you’ve saved carefully for long term care, made your Will and got your affairs in order, there’s no knowing when life might suddenly throw you a curveball….

Being tax efficient through all stages of your financial planning journey can contribute to achieving your financial goals. That’s why being aware of the challenges and opportunities that tax, and benefit changes…

At a glance Most exiting business owners use advisers to help them find an appropriate buyer, then guide and manage the sales process. These advisers might include brokers, agents or corporate-finance advisers….

At a glance When the time comes to step back from running your firm, appointing an internal successor can allow you the opportunity to plan the transition and make sure it’s as…

At a glance Jake Munday discovered the importance of annual reviews soon after launching his firm Custom Neon in 2018. As CEO and co-founder of the online sign-making company, he realised these…

At a glance It can be a vicious circle. Worrying about paying the bills makes it harder to earn and manage your money. And feeling that you’re not on top of your…

At a glance Money isn’t a dirty word. But it’s probably responsible for more arguments around the dinner table than almost anything else – from who’s spending too much, to how to…

At a glance They say you can’t put a price on family, but just how much does it cost to raise a child? Raising a child from birth to 18 in 2022,…

At a glance One of the most frustrating growth barriers many start-up owners face is a lengthy working capital cycle (WCC). If you face this knotty problem, the sooner you untangle it…

At a glance Financially it’s been a difficult few years for households in a range of income brackets. The cost of living has risen substantially as inflation has soared1, household energy bills…

At a glance By the time it comes to exiting your business, many SMEs will likely have written agreements with employees, suppliers, customers and shareholders. Unfortunately, many firms end up with a…

At a glance When you’re considering your future and what to do with your money, it’s important to make sure you will have enough funds to cover your expenses and maintain a…

At a glance Most owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) care deeply about the wellbeing of their staff – whether that’s mental, physical or financial. They can also see how much…

At a glance You may assume that if you needed some form of long-term care, you would have to move into a care home or nursing home. But that may not be…

At a glance For much of the past year, the big economic story affecting markets has remained the same: inflation is too high, and central banks have been increasing interest rates to…

At a glance As an early-stage business owner, you’re likely bursting with ideas for your company’s growth. You must plan this phase carefully; a key reason many small businesses fail is not…

At a glance Why financial health should be our ethical and financial priority What is financial wellbeing? It’s about knowing that you can pay the bills, manage your debts, deal with the…

At a glance Your company’s first customers are a rich source of information about everything from themselves and other potential customers, to the market, suppliers, competitors and even your business itself. Learning…

Your options for accessing your pension 29 September 2023 5 minutes At a glance There’s more choice and flexibility than ever before when it comes to accessing your retirement savings. You’re more…

At a glance For growing businesses, it’s natural to focus on building your sales or creating cost efficiencies to increase your profits. But don’t overlook strengthening your organisation’s resilience in these early…

At a glance Any one of us can find ourselves vulnerable, at any point. Since Covid, and the cost of living crisis, the number of vulnerable people in our society has soared….

At a glance If you’re selling or exiting a business, you’ll hopefully receive a significant cash sum – your reward for years of hard work. But before you sign the deal, it’s…

At a glance Selling a second property? Cashing in a share portfolio? When you sell a valuable asset that’s gone up in value since you bought it, you may have to pay…

At a glance Simon Ursell is Managing Director of environmental consultancy Tyler Grange and has led the firm for 13 years. He has grown it from a start-up to a company of…

At a glance Whether you’ve got 20 years before you retire or just a few, it’s important to have an idea of just how much money you’ll need for a comfortable standard…

At a glance We’re borrowing more and saving less. And finding yourself in financial difficulty is a known suicide risk. The prolonged cost of living crisis has had a profound effect on…

At a glance After your early-stage business has made some sales, it’s tempting to look at your bank balance and think you’re in a great position. But even with healthy customer numbers…

At a glance In all the excitement and exhilaration of getting a brand new job, or a big promotion, it’s easy to overlook your death-in-service benefits. Negotiating your new salary, or flexible…

At a glance Inflation is a topic that has been making headlines this year. It’s important to understand how it can impact your savings and investments. Simply put, inflation refers to the…

At a glance When we’re advising our clients, we often talk about what they want their money to do for them. How they can use their money to create a world they…

At a glance As a start-up, knowing what expenses can be tax-deductible will help boost your cash flow significantly. Plus, with the corporation tax rate increasing for some firms – to as…

At a glance If you need long-term care and have received a care support plan, the next step – if you think you might be eligible for some financial support – is…

At a glance  Entrepreneur Steve Witt has started and grown several businesses during his career, including his current venture, The Travel Franchise. In 2008, he sold UKDomains, a company offering web domain…

At a glance The Lifetime ISA (LISA) replaced the government’s Help to Buy ISA scheme at the end of 2019. LISAs were designed to help younger savers get on the property ladder…

At a glance What are the chances that you’ll need some form of long-term care before the end of your life? It’s a question that’s very hard to answer, and all too…

At a glance One positive outcome of the pandemic has been companies’ increased focus on employee wellbeing – and these initiatives have been so beneficial that the trend looks here to stay….

At a glance The first half of the year could be described as a bit topsy turvy, with some high-profile failures being reported alongside companies boasting record revenues and profits. Globally, inflation…

At a glance The government announced it was making changes to the social care system in England back in 2021. These included a social care cap: limiting the cost of personal care…

At a glance Be clear about payment terms “Two critical lessons we learned were about getting payments in on time and enforcing our terms rigorously,” Matthew explains. Early on, Rewind Creative ran…

At a glance Whether you’re looking to exit your business altogether or just release some value, private equity (PE) firms might be an interesting potential buyer. There are advantages and disadvantages to…

At a glance Finding the money to pay for care home fees can be one of the biggest financial worries facing us in later life. Your local authority may help fund your…

At a glance It can be hard for business owners to find time to think about innovation, especially during an economic slump – but it’s often necessary for survival or to maintain…

Five tips for negotiating with powerful suppliers 12 July 2023 4 minutes At a glance You may have more negotiating power with big suppliers than you think. But you often need to…

At a glance The US market had a strong quarter, while the UK market struggled Companies taking advantage of AI have seen strong returns over the past few months With so much…

At a glance In the last tax year (2022-23) bereaved families paid £6.1 billion in Inheritance Tax, the largest single-year rise since 2015-16.1 Reducing the value of your estate during your lifetime…

At a glance It can be easy to delay launching a business, thinking that you need to know everything before you begin. But Nicola Russill-Roy, founder of Propose PR and a St. James’s Place…

At a glance Many women rely on the State Pension when it comes to retirement income, but you may have a smaller workplace pension than your colleagues if you took time out…

At a glance Active investing involves fund managers making active decisions over what to invest in. Passive investors look to replicate a given index or market. Both strategies have their strengths and…

At a glance After reaching certain milestones or goals in your business journey, you may need to readjust your strategy to reach the next level, which might mean bringing new skills and…

At a glance Inflation and other cost pressures are keeping confidence down among SMEs. Taking steps to keep a lid on fixed costs can help you maintain profits when margins are under…

At a glance LGBTQ+ people face unique challenges impacting their earning potential and decision-making around finances. Many factors present issues when it comes to wealth accumulation. Financial advice from an adviser you…

At a glance Keeping track of key financial metrics such as sales, costs, profit and cash flow, and analysing them regularly, can help you ensure your business is in good health. This…

At a glance Families often focus on how their aged relative will meet care costs, but those looking after loved ones should have a financial plan of their own as well. Carers…

At a glance Starting a child’s pension is a tax-efficient way to save for their future and set them up for future financial wellbeing. Only a parent or guardian can open up…

At a glance A growing number of business directors are making the decision to pass a controlling stake in their company to their employees. Employee-owned businesses enjoy various tax advantages and often…

At a glance A financial adviser can help you understand Capital Gains Tax so you don’t end up losing out. Gains from almost any kind of personal possessions could be liable to…

At a glance When you pay off your mortgage, you’ll have money that’s freed up by no longer having mortgage payments. Rather than see this money dissolve into household budget or day-to-day…

At a glance Some believe if you’re suffering from dementia, the costs of care will be met by the NHS – often, sufferers must pay care home fees themselves. Needing long-term care…

At a glance Independent school fees jumped by 5.1% in 2022, up from 4% on 20/21.1 The average cost per child is now £34,790 a year for boarders.1 Private education can be affordable,…

At a glance If you’re selling your business, buyers will want to see as much data as possible to support their offer. As well as revenue and profit, they’ll look at detailed…

At a glance Economic downturns can leave staff feeling worse off and demotivated at work. It’s important to be open with employees about your firm’s situation and encourage them to share ideas…

At a glance A major contract with a multinational customer can boost your revenue, your reputation and your growth prospects. However, there are challenges to be aware of, from language barriers to…

At a glance  Your company’s first 12 months are critical. There are several key areas you should focus on during this time in order for your business to grow and thrive. Articulating…

At a glance Saving a nest egg can give your children a great start in life – and it doesn’t have to break the bank. The longer the investment has to mature,…

Making a voluntary contribution to your State Pension pot could be an efficient way to put money towards your retirement, but it’s important to consider all the implications At a glance You’ll…