Yes, we provide independent financial advice. We can recommend solutions from across the market, based on your needs and circumstances.

Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check our status on the FCA Register.

Yes, you can meet us in person or by video call. We will agree the format that suits you best for each meeting.

Face-to-face meetings are held at our office in Maidstone, and we can also meet online. We will agree the most practical option for you.

At the moment we do not have parking at our office due to building work. Parking is available opposite in The Mall multi-storey car park on Romney Place.

We have been providing financial advice since 2011, and we have traded as Focused Financial since 2015. We keep our approach up to date as your circumstances and rules change.

We are based in Maidstone. Most of our clients are in Maidstone, the Medway towns, or the Weald of Kent, and some choose to travel to Maidstone from further afield.

Our adviser holds Chartered MCSI status with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). We will explain what this means for the service you receive and the standards we follow.

You can view client reviews on VouchedFor, Google, and our website. They reflect individual experiences and are provided for information.

We take time to understand what your money needs to do for you before recommending any action. That understanding shapes the plan we build and the advice we give.

Our FCA registration number is 631108. You can use it to find us on the FCA Register.

We work mainly with clients in Maidstone, the Medway towns, and the Weald of Kent. We also work with some clients from further afield who choose to come to Maidstone.

You can book an initial meeting by calling us on 01622 804504 or using the contact form on our website. We will suggest a time and confirm whether you would prefer to meet in person or online.

No, you do not pay for the initial meeting, it is at our expense. We use the meeting to understand what you want to achieve and to explain how we work and charge.

You do not need to bring anything specific to the initial meeting. We focus on getting to know you and what you want your future to look like.

In the first meeting we focus on understanding what you want your future to look like, so we can be clear on what your money needs to do. We will explain how we work and how we charge, and if you decide to proceed, we will agree the next steps.

An initial meeting usually lasts between one hour and one and a half hours. We will make sure there is enough time to cover what matters most to you.

No, you do not have to commit at the initial meeting. You can take time to consider whether our approach and fees feel right for you.

If your financial adviser is away, the wider team will support you until their return. If something is urgent, we will help straightaway.

We hold an annual planning meeting each year, and we book the next one at the end of the previous meeting. You can contact us by phone or email in between, and we aim to respond within 24 hours.

Yes, cashflow forecasting is part of our service. We use it to help you understand how your plans might play out over time and what changes could be needed.

If your circumstances change, we will update your financial plan with you. We will revisit your goals and adjust recommendations where needed.

Absolutely, we want to ensure our advice dovetails with other professionals. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

Yes, we can coordinate with your mortgage adviser if they need information from us. We will only share details with your consent.

Yes, we can show you an example of what a financial plan looks like. Any example will be illustrative and not personalised advice for your situation.

Yes, you will be able to view your investments online. We provide an online portal so you can see values and key documents in one place.

Yes, you will be able to view your investments online. We provide an online portal so you can see values and key documents in one place.

You will meet with your financial adviser at least once a year. If you need additional meetings, we can arrange them as required.

No, but we can put you in contact with a local firm. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

No, but we can put you in contact with a local firm. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, with the exception of defined benefit pension scheme transfers. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

Yes. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

Yes. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

No, we do not advise on defined benefit pension scheme transfers or final salary pension transfers. If you need this type of advice, we can point you towards a specialist provider.

No, we do not provide advice on long-term care or later-life planning. If this is something you need, we can discuss what support may be available elsewhere.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and tax rules can change.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate.

Yes. You do not pay for the initial meeting; it is at our expense. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

We charge a fixed fee for the initial financial planning advice and recommendations, and an ongoing percentage charge for continuing service. We will explain the charges clearly before you proceed.

We charge a fixed fee for a financial plan. We will confirm the fee once we understand the work required.

We charge both fixed fees and a percentage, depending on the service. We will agree the basis of charging with you before any work begins.

We do not receive commission for investment advice, but we do receive commission in respect of protection policies. We will explain any commission clearly if it applies.

No, we do not charge VAT on our fees. We will explain any costs clearly before you proceed.

We are neither the cheapest or the most expensive. We aim to offer excellent value for the service we provide, and we will be clear about what is included.

We explain our fees at the discovery meeting, once we understand what work is likely to be needed. That helps us give you a clearer view of the costs for your situation.

Yes, we can help you plan for retirement, including retiring earlier if this is realistic for you. We use financial planning and cashflow forecasting to explore options, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you plan for retirement, including retiring earlier if this is realistic for you. We use financial planning and cashflow forecasting to explore options, and investments can go down as well as up.

We typically work with people who are retiring, or a few years from retirement, who want clarity on their retirement plans. We can also help at other stages, depending on your needs.

Yes, we work with younger clients who are still building wealth. We focus on putting a clear plan in place and reviewing it as your circumstances change.

Yes, we work with company directors and self-employed clients. We take account of the different ways you may receive income and save for the future, including pensions.

Yes, we work with clients approaching retirement and those already retired. We help you plan your income and investments, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

Yes. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

Yes. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

Yes, we work with business owners, retirees, and professionals. We will explain how this works for you as part of our usual planning process.

No, we do not offer financial advice for expats or non-UK residents. Our services are designed for UK-based clients.

Yes, we can advise in this area. We will start by understanding your goals and current arrangements, then recommend a suitable approach and products where appropriate. Investments can go down as well as up.

Our services tend to be best suited to people who have built up a few hundred thousand pounds across pensions, investments, and savings. We will explain what level of work is involved so you can judge whether it is the right fit.

Yes, you may be covered by the FSCS if we cannot meet our obligations. The level of protection depends on the type of claim, the circumstances, and your eligibility.

If something goes wrong or you have a complaint, please contact James Etheridge. We will look into the issue and respond in line with our complaints process.

Yes, we are insured to give financial advice. This cover supports our professional obligations as a regulated firm.

Yes, you can check our authorisation on the FCA Register. Our FCA registration number is 631108.

Yes, we have client stories and case studies you can read. They are shared to illustrate how planning can work in practice and do not guarantee similar outcomes.

We use client surveys.

Yes, we are a VouchedFor Top Rated Firm. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.

Yes, we are a VouchedFor Top Rated Firm. We also had a client case study appear in VouchedFor’s 2025 Top Rated guide, distributed in the Times. We will explain the detail and how it applies to you as part of our planning process.