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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.

Find out more about me below.

Start the conversation

Whether you want to think about a gifting plan to help your family, or want to ask me about something else, I’m happy to help.
Contact me today

An adviser’s insight

Gifts that give back

Graphic of people exchanging gifts

December is often seen as the gifting season. But alongside the usual socks and chocolate gold coins, it might be worth planning a slightly bigger, longer-term present for your loved ones this year.

Inheritance tax (IHT) is notoriously complicated and can hit people with a big bill if it isn’t managed properly. It isn’t reserved for the very wealthy either. Dealing with IHT is a reality that many more families face after a loved one has passed - in what is usually an extremely vulnerable moment.

This is where using your gifting allowances can make a real impact on those around you. It’s a great way to share your wealth with the people you love while limiting their exposure to IHT. It does take a little bit of extra planning though.

Sitting down with an adviser like me can help you figure out where you want your money to go, and when. For instance, it might be more helpful to gift a family member a contribution towards their first home now, rather than leaving them a legacy.

Whatever you decide is best, we’ll find the most tax efficient way to do it.

Get in touch to find out more.

*Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax Planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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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.

Quilter Financial Planning Network only: This financial promotion was approved by Quilter Wealth Ltd, Quilter Financial Services Ltd, Quilter Mortgage Planning Ltd, Quilter Financial Ltd, Quilter Financial Planning Solutions Ltd & Lighthouse Advisory Services Limited on 14 January 2025.