We have chosen to be a boutique firm (small and specialist), because we believe this allows us to deliver better quality advice to clients, more cost effectively. All UK financial services companies are subject to regulation and investor protection rules, so you have the same cover regardless of the size of the firm.
“It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you will do things differently.” (Warren Buffett)
About us
The company
Consistency of relationships is vital in building the trust needed to deliver high quality solutions over the longer term. Low staff turnover allows a level of personal attention that is often absent in larger financial services companies. It means resources can be spent on developing skills, rather than continual recruitment. We have an average employment term of 11 years (and rising).
The People
Stephen Wilson BA (Hons), FPFS, CFP
Steve joined Lloyds Bank in 1985, after graduating from Durham University, and left to found Rothmere Wilson in 1990.
He specialises in pre and post retirement planning, as well as business financial planning. Steve is one of the few UK advisers qualified as both a chartered and certified financial planner and is also a resolution-accredited divorce specialist. He supports the Money Advice Service, set up by government and paid for by an industry levy, by delivering their "Making The Most of Your Money" seminars. This forms a part of their work on helping people manage their money better. Away from work, he holds a private pilot’s licence, follows Arsenal and is a member of Rotary.
email: steve@rothmerewilson.co.uk
Johanna Draper BA (Hons), DipPFS
Jo joined Rothmere Wilson in 2002, whilst completing a degree in accountancy at the University of Bedfordshire. After graduating she became a full time administrator and is now practice manager. Jo already holds the diploma in financial planning and is studying towards the chartered financial planner title. Her spare time is limited with a young daughter, but she enjoys skiing and socialising when she can.
email: jo@rothmerewilson.co.uk
Stewart Green Cert CII(MP)
Stewart has worked in financial services since 1980, when he joined Pearl Assurance in the City. Subsequently, he has worked for a mortgage lender and run his own business. Stewart joined Rothmere Wilson in 2009 as our mortgage specialist. Outside work he is a keen sailor and also a member of Rotary.
email: stewart@rothmerewilson.co.uk
Liz Hoad
Liz joined Rothmere Wilson in 1996, from the Woolwich Building Society where she was a senior administrator. In 2010, Liz semi-retired and now assists Jo in running the office. In recent years Liz has competed at dog agility shows with her two terriers and now combines this with helping to look after her young grandson.
email: liz@rothmerewilson.co.uk
Qualifications
Rothmere Wilson, a firm of independent financial advisers, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010, by becoming the first Chartered financial planning firm in North Hertfordshire.
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” (Benjamin Franklin)
A professional attitude to business and clients
We would be the first to admit that qualifications are not a guarantee of high quality advice and that experience is very important. However, if someone has taken the considerable time and trouble to improve their knowledge and expertise and then submit to objective and independent testing, rather than relying on their own opinion of their level of technical competence, we believe it demonstrates some important qualities:
- A professional attitude to business and clients
- A commitment to the quality of service offered
- Building on that experience so it really is 20 years’ worth, rather than 1 year 20 times over
Independent Financial Advisers (or IFAs) offer both independent advice and work independently for their clients, rather than representing an insurance company or bank. Originally, in 1988, advisers were either tied to a single provider, or totally independent. However, since 2005, there have been three types of adviser: tied advisers (working for one financial institution), multi-tied advisers (offering products from two or more providers) and independent financial advisers (who recommend products from the whole of the market).
From 2013 the rules will change again, in order to give consumers more clarity. Advisers will either be fully independent, or have to call themselves restricted if there are any limits on the scope of their advice. Restricted advisers will doubtless claim their particular restrictions are of little consequence, but the only way to get truly unbiased advice will still be from an adviser with independent status.
Rothmere Wilson celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2010 by becoming the first chartered financial planning firm in North Hertfordshire. Considered the gold standard for financial advisers, it is awarded to firms where staff meet both high qualification and experience standards, as well as adhering to a strict code of ethics.
You can trust Chartered Financial Planners like Chartered Accountants, Surveyors, or Engineers, to be highly qualified, reputable and capable of providing you with quality advice with the utmost integrity.
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP™) qualification is an international qualification recognised in over 20 countries. In the UK it is considered to be at degree level. Applicants must reach certain levels (at least 3 years of relevant professional experience, and certain qualifications) as well as subscribe to continuing professional development and a code of ethics. To this extent it is similar to the Chartered qualification.
However, is not centred around acquiring technical knowledge, but on the application of that knowledge to develop comprehensive financial plans in case studies. Therefore, a CFP professional has demonstrated both technical knowledge and an ability to apply that knowledge, to a qualified independent assessor.
