
Sarah Buchanan-Smith
Financial Planning Consultant DipPFS in Edinburgh
A little bit about Sarah
With over 25 years of experience in banking and financial services, I am a diploma-qualified financial adviser.
For me, financial planning is not just about numbers. It’s about understanding the life you want to lead and working together to make it achievable. By taking the time to truly listen, I craft and implement plans that not only address individual aspects of your financial life but also ensure they work seamlessly together.
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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
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.
General Insurance
Home contents insurance, buildings insurance.
Business Services & Protection
Commercial mortgages/remortgages, workplace pension and employee benefits. Commercial mortgages are by referral only.
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.
Location
Sarah's location
Edinburgh
Scotland
United Kingdom
Sarah is based in Edinburgh and offers expert financial advice to suit your needs.
More about me
My career has seen me in roles such as a financial analyst, management consultant, and investor relations expert, providing me with invaluable insights that inform the advice I provide today.
As a holistic financial planner, I help individuals, families, and business owners create comprehensive strategies tailored to their unique circumstances. Whether you’re seeking clarity on pensions, investments, protection, or inheritance tax planning, my goal is to empower you with a financial plan that aligns with your values, priorities, and long-term goals.
My areas of expertise include Holistic Financial Planning to create a financial strategy that integrates all aspects of your financial life, Pension & Retirement Planning to help you prepare for a comfortable future and Investment Planning to help you grow and preserve your wealth.
I can also help you with Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning to ensure your family’s financial stability across generations and provide you with Protection and Insurance to secure your income, assets, and loved ones. (Please note that succession planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Also, having run my own business for over 20 years, I provide Business Services to assist business owners with succession planning and financial security.
I work with diverse clients, including individuals navigating significant life changes, such as loss, divorce, redundancy, or the birth of a child; business owners seeking tailored protection and succession planning; families focused on setting their children up for financial success and preserving wealth for future generations; and young adults navigating their path to financial independence.
As a “Woman of a Certain Age,” I am passionately committed to empowering midlife women to take control of their financial futures and helping them build confidence and clarity in planning and managing their wealth.
I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m a big fan of cold-water swimming! When I’m not jumping into the North Sea, I love travelling, especially by train. I also enjoy music, art, reading and spending time with my husband and our three almost grown-up children.
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.