James Marston
Financial Planning Consultant DipPFS in Leamington Spa
A little bit about James
I help families navigate the important and complex decisions that life throws at them:
- How to save enough to enjoy retirement
- Financial protection in times of ill health
- Tax efficiency and investing strategy
- Saving for your children or funding their education
- How to structure your financial life so you can work to live not live to work.
Please find out more about James on his VouchedFor account as well as on the More about me section below:
Start the conversation
Whether you want help getting your pension in a good place, or to ask me about another financial need you might have, I’m here to help.
Contact me today
An adviser’s insight
How can you boost your pension pot?
In the UK, there’s an estimated £26.6bn1 in lost or forgotten pensions. That means the average UK worker is missing as much as £28k2 from their retirement money. But there’s good news - this kind of financial hit is completely avoidable.
Here are three simple ways to make sure your pension is working its hardest for you.
1. Check up on it
This one might seem obvious, but it’s easy to lose track of your pension pots, where they are, and what they’re doing. If you make a note of your pension providers, and check your pot(s) regularly, you’re far less likely to lose one of them over time.
2. Look at your investment allocation
Your investment allocation is where and how you’re investing your pension. Often, people will just use their pension provider’s default setting. But this might not actually be right for your retirement goals and risk profile. So, it’s a good idea to revisit this every few years.
3. Bump it up
If you’ve had a windfall recently, like a pay rise, bonus, or inheritance, putting a portion of it into your pension is a good idea. Not only is it tax-efficient, but you’ll be glad when your retirement comes around.
As an adviser, my role is to help you get all of this done simply, with all the facts and information you need. That might be helping you review your risk profile, consolidating old pension pots, or making a plan to help you retire early.
If that sounds good to you, please get in touch.
The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested. Tax Planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tax treatment varies according to individual circumstances and is subject to change.
2 Source: https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/news/average-uk-worker-has-28-000-in-unclaimed-pensions
Services
Business Services & Protection
Commercial mortgages/remortgages, workplace pension and employee benefits. Commercial mortgages are by referral only.
Holistic planning
Establishing and reviewing trusts, complete personal risk management planning, short- and long-term savings and investments.
Income Protection
Permanent health insurance to provide a regular income should you be unable to work due to illness or injury.
Investments
Wealth management advice to make your money work as hard as it can for you, including making the most of any tax breaks available.
Pensions
Expert advice to help provide comfort in your retirement.
Protection
Whole of life and term assurance protection, private medical arrangements, critical illness insurance.
Dental & Medical
Financial planning for dental and medical professionals, in-depth knowledge of NHS pensions and needs of hospital doctors, GPs, dentists and locums.
Qualifications
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning
- The Level 4 Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning from the Chartered Insurance Institute develops core technical and initial financial planning understanding.
Testimonials
Testimonial 1
I had an appointment with James this week to discuss future finance planning. I was specifically interested to know whether it would be worth me buying AVCs (Additional voluntary contributions) for my NHS pension and/or what my other options were.
He was very knowledgeable and gave me honest and open feedback about my current financial situation. He was able to answer all my questions and talked me through what the different options for further investment would look like and the pros and cons of each.
He listened to my life values and gave his opinion on what was likely to be a best fit for that, all in a very easy to understand way. Very happy with the consultation.
Thanks James. (July 2024)
Testimonial 2
After being disappointed with a previous financial adviser we made contact with James who has been the total opposite of our previous experience.
He is clearly very knowledgeable but importantly he makes you feel like an individual and not just a number. He takes time to get to know you want and what you are hoping to achieve.
He explains things in an honest and upfront way as well as in an understandable way. (February 2024)
Testimonial 3
James had outstanding knowledge in Pensions, Investments, Life Insurance and Income Protection along with many other elements of finance.
He is able to deliver advice and share his expertise in a very clear and concise way. He very much helped to unpick a subject which I am not familiar with in a simple manner.
He is both professional and personable and will be my top choice recommendation to friends in need of financial advice. (November 2023)
Location
James Marston's location
James is located in Leamington Spa and offers expert financial advice to suit your needs.
More about me
I specialise in Medics, mostly because I married one, so I know the joys of medical staffing, rota’s, the trust, the deanery, locum work, private practise and the complexity of financial planning for doctors. I help you to understand your NHS pension, the NHS car scheme, tax traps for consultants and GPs, private work through a limited company and how to plan your financial future with all of this complexity.
My style of financial advice starts with education. I want you to understand the potential courses of action and the consequences. Then together, we can make an informed decision about what to do.
Outside of work I am a father and a husband which keeps me busy! In my free time, I love walking the dog, swimming and the occasional pub visit on a Sunday afternoon.
I'm based in Leamington Spa but the majority of my meetings are done on Microsoft Teams, I'm happy to do evening appointments after 7:30 once my kids are in bed! I'm always happy to chat with no obligation so send me an email or give me a call if you need some help with your family financial planning.
I’m a contributor to BBC Radio 4, The Times, The Telegraph & a Parliamentary Select Committee on Financial Education. Full details in my LinkedIn Bio.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some employee benefits, tax planning, inheritance tax planning, estate planning, succession planning, trusts or some buy-to-let mortgages.
The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Registered Office: Quilter Financial Advisers, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 05693185. Lighthouse Financial Advice Limited, Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB. Tel: 0207 562 5856. Registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 04795080.