Mike Forrest
Chartered Financial Planning Consultant Chartered FCSI in Edinburgh
A little bit about Mike
As a self-employed, qualified Financial Planner, I deliver tailored, comprehensive financial solutions to meet my clients' unique needs. Before I joined Quilter, I gained extensive expertise in finance as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser, with over 20 years of experience in financial leadership, strategic business planning, and tax advisory.
This diverse background enables me to address each client’s specific circumstances and provide the clarity and confidence they need to navigate their financial journey successfully.
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.
Deals
Fixed rate deals, discounted, variable and flexible, capped and/or collared.
General Insurance
Home contents insurance, buildings insurance.
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.
Mortgage
First time buyers, remortgages, buy-to-let.
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 Investment Advice
- The Diploma in Investment Advice provides a sound grounding in UK financial services and consumer relationships, including exchange traded futures and options and financial protection.
Level 6 Advanced Financial Planning Certificate
- The CISI level 6 Certificate in Financial Planning provides a robust foundation in knowledge and skills that develop effective financial understanding and planning.
Chartered Fellow
- The pinnacle of CISI membership. Exclusively for professionals who have demonstrated the highest levels of knowledge and standards of professionalism.
Location
Mike's location
Edinburgh
EH3
United Kingdom
Mike is located in Edinburgh and offers expert financial advice to suit your needs.
More about me
As a self-employed, qualified Financial Planner, I deliver tailored, comprehensive financial solutions to meet my clients' unique needs. Before I joined Quilter, I built a distinguished career as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser, with over two decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic business planning, and tax advisory.
My experience spans senior roles in private equity, project finance, and fund and asset management. I have led teams providing financial and asset management services to portfolios exceeding £1 billion, delivering innovative solutions across diverse industries. My diverse background enables me to address each client’s circumstances and provide the clarity and confidence they need to successfully navigate their financial journey.
I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments, holding the Investment Advice Diploma and Certificate in Advanced Financial Planning. I am also a Fellow of ICAEW, CIOT, and CIMA. My academic credentials include a Doctorate in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University (specialising in tax and strategy), a PgDip from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, and an MA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Glasgow.
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.