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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 help getting your pension in a good place, or to ask me about any other financial need you might have, I’m here to help.
Contact me today

Graphic of women standing on piles of coins increasing in height

How can you boost your pension pot?

In the UK, there are around 3.3 million pension pots that are considered as ‘lost’, containing an average of around £9,500 per pot*. Nobody wants to be missing out on money they have built up in a pension, 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. Investing can help your money grow over time, but the value of investments can go down as well as up.

If that sounds good to you, please get in touch.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. June 2026.

* How to find old pensions - Which?

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.

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.

Sarah's location

Edinburgh
Scotland
United Kingdom

Sarah is based in Edinburgh and offers expert financial advice to suit your needs.

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.

What to expect

In advising you, I follow a simple and trusted 3 step process:

1. Free intro call to understand your needs

We will arrange a time to talk about your goals and plans.

2. Personalised plan

I'll prepare a tailored plan which always takes full account of your goals, and gives you the steps and expert support from me to get there. All explained simply.

3. On going check-ins, on your terms

I'll be there as your financial adviser to give you the support you need.

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 Financial Services Ltd & Quilter Financial Ltd on 14 January 2025.