Financial planning questions experienced consultants often ask

Yes. All financial planning advice provided through Encore Financial Planning is conducted as a trading style of Barras Capital Management plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 992232). Encore Financial Planning is the name under which I work directly with clients. If you want to verify this, you can search for Barras Capital Management Limited, Encore Financial Planning or for FCA refrence number 992232 on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk

I hold the CFP™ designation (Certified Financial Planner) which is the global gold standard in financial planning. It requires a combination of advanced examinations, demonstrated planning experience, and an ongoing commitment to professional development. I am also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment. I hold over and above the full suite of UK financial planning qualifications required for regulated advice. I've been advising clients for over 15 years, the last several of which have been specialising within the broadcast and production industry.

Very rarely, and that's deliberate. Encore Financial Planning works exclusively with freelancers, contractors, and consultants in broadcast and production. The financial picture for a senior person in this industry - irregular income, limited company structures, multiple pensions from different productions, no employer safety net - is specific enough that generalist advice rarely serves it well. Specialising in one area means I understand your situation before you've finished explaining it.

Yes. Most of my client relationships are conducted entirely online. The broadcast and production industry is geographically spread, and the nature of the work (projects in different locations, irregular schedules) means in-person meetings rarely suit people anyway. Everything that needs to happen can happen on a video call.

Sometimes. If your current adviser doesn't specialise in the broadcast and production industry, there's a reasonable chance the plan you have doesn't fully account for the specifics of how your income works, how your limited company money should be treated, or what your realistic options actually are. A second opinion costs nothing at the initial stage. If what you have is already right for you, I'll tell you.

Yes. A meaningful portion of my clients are people who've already stepped back but want to make sure what they have lasts, is structured efficiently, and continues to support the life they actually want rather than the one they planned for five years ago. The question shifts from "can I afford to work less?" to "am I making the most of what I've built?" - but the need for clarity is the same.

The first conversation is free, takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and has no agenda but clarity. There's nothing to prepare and no documents to bring. We talk about your career, your current setup, what you still enjoy, what keeps getting pushed to later, and what a better version of the next few years would look like if you had more say in it. From there, if it feels like the right fit, I'll explain exactly what working together would involve and what it would cost - before any commitment is made.

Yes - and this is one of the most common starting points for people in this industry. Years of short contracts, different production companies, and shifting between PAYE and limited company work often leaves people with a collection of pension pots they've lost track of. Part of building your financial picture is tracing, valuing, and assessing each one - and then making a considered decision about whether consolidation makes sense for your situation. It doesn't always, but you can't make that call until everything is visible in one place.

Your money is never held by me - it sits with regulated investment platforms and pension providers directly. My role is to advise on where it goes and how it's structured, not to hold or manage it. All advice is conducted under the regulatory authorisation of Barras Capital Management plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the unlikely event that an investment provider fails, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects eligible claims up to £85,000 per provider. I'm happy to explain how this applies to your specific situation during an initial conversation.

Think DoP vs Cinematographer, Series Producer vs Showrunner or Runner vs Production Assistant. Financial adviser vs financial planner - same energy. There is no legal distinction and they are mostly interchangeable. Ignore the semantics. Find someone qualified and FCA regulated who understands your world.

Both, depending on what you need. Some clients want a one-off plan - a clear picture, a considered set of decisions, and the confidence to move forward independently. Most want ongoing support: regular reviews, investment oversight, and someone to sense-check decisions as their situation evolves to ensure the plan stays on track. We'll work out which is right for you at the outset, and the fee reflects whichever path you choose.

Our fees depend on the complexity of your situation. Use the calculator above to get a sense of where you'd sit for the initial plan. For ongoing advice - regular reviews, investment oversight, and continuing support as your situation changes - we charge an annual planning fee of no more than 0.8% of any pensions or investments we manage on your behalf, subject to a minimum of £2,000 per year. Ongoing fees are typically deducted directly from the relevant investment or pension wrapper rather than invoiced separately, though we can discuss alternative arrangements where it makes more sense for you. Financial planning advice is generally exempt from VAT, and the figures above are inclusive of any VAT that may apply. The exact fee is always confirmed before any commitment is made.