Wolds Financial Planning is an Independent Financial Advice firm based in Pocklington, near York.

We are passionate about delivering you the highest quality, independent financial advice as you travel the journey of life.

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Wolds Financial Planning is owned and run by Graham Thompson, who has a been delivering financial advice since 2001 and has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in that time. Whilst knowledge and experience are vital in being able to deliver the highest level of advice to clients, Graham feels that advising clients in an ethical, open, and honest manner (with the client’s interests paramount), is the only way to build long term trust.

Therefore, when Graham set up the company, he did so with a specific set of values at heart:

Our Values

Independence

We work solely on your behalf.

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  • We are not tied to any plan or fund provider
  • We have all provider options available
  • We extensively research all relevant options, using internal and external research
  • We always aim to deliver the best solutions for you

Value

Whilst all advice comes at a cost, we strive to deliver the best value we can for all our clients.

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  • We assess the work, risk, research and compliance costs for each client.
  • We aim to demonstrate value through detailed annual reviews, all backed up by a detailed report.
  • We look to apply charges in a way which is most cost effective for the client.
  • “Price is what you pay, value is what you get” – Warren Buffett.

Availability

We are strong believers in that there is little point in being able if you are unavailable.

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  • We can be contacted by telephone, email & your client access portal and always look to respond within 1 business day.
  • With your client portal, you essentially have a secure hotline through to your adviser.
  • We can meet face to face, Online or via the telephone, to ensure that we can continue to service you and your plans and needs, in the most convenient way for you.

Professionalism

We always strive to deliver all aspects of our role to the best of our ability.

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  • We ensure that we not only have the required qualifications to carry out our roles, but have embarked on more advanced learning, with the aim of being true experts in our field.
  • We do not view annual reviews as a tick box exercise, but instead fully review all areas of financial planning with our clients and deliver detailed presentations to ensure that our clients fully understand our advice and how it is helping them.
  • We feel that professionalism is best demonstrated through independently verified client reviews.  Please see Graham’s Vouched For profile to read verified reviews from his clients.

Security

We believe that when managing client money and holding client data, security is key.

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  • We provide a fully secure and encrypted client portal (backed by 2 factor authentication) for each client, so that messages and documents can be safely exchanged online.
  • We then store all data and documentation securely using Microsoft servers, which are again backed by 2 factor authentication.
  • At 2plan we have a dedicated Data Protection and Security team monitoring all communications and updating us on the latest scams & security breaches.
  • We no longer hold paper files and ensure that paper documentation is securely shredded and disposed of, once scanned onto our systems.

How we work

At Wolds Financial Planning, we use a 4-step advice process.  The first 3 steps are used for all areas of advice, whereas the 4th step is used where ongoing servicing may be required (such as with investment & retirement planning needs).  The 4 steps are detailed below:

Step 1: Consultation
  • Introduction
  • Agree remuneration method
  • Review existing plans
  • Identify goals and objectives
  • Information gathering
Step 2: Advice
  • Assess objectives
  • Research
  • Devise investment strategy
  • Select product(s)
  • Recommendation
  • Suitability report
Step 3: Implementation
  • Apply to product provider
  • Complete documentation
  • Process applications
  • Policy documentation
Step 4: Ongoing Service
  • Assess continued suitability
  • Complete new investment risk questionnaire
  • Annual suitability report
  • Ongoing access to your adviser

We take great care to understand your circumstances fully, before delivering any financial advice, to ensure that the solutions we put in place for you, match your requirements as closely as possible.

We will always work in a way that is both ethical and transparent and will never charge you for any work until we have fully explained how we are able to help and have agreed how we are to be paid for the work.

For Pension, Investment or Non-Mortgage related Protection advice please click HERE to see our Personal Client Agreement document, which details how we work, how we use your data and how we are paid.

For Mortgage and related Protection advice please click HERE to see our Mortgage and Protection Agreement document, which details how we work, how we use your data and how we are paid.

Our Team

Graham Thompson

Owner & Senior Adviser

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Graham started his life in Financial Services in 1997 and became qualified as a financial adviser in 2001.  Over the years, Graham has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of financial advice, working for insurance companies and a leading high street bank.

Graham took the step to become a fully independent financial adviser in 2014 and has developed a strong passion and specialism for Investment and Retirement planning advice over that time.  Graham holds the full Financial Planning Diploma and is well on the way to achieving the Advanced Financial Planning Diploma having passed the (AF3) Pension Planning, (AF4) Investment Planning & (AF5) Financial Planning Process exams.  Graham expects to achieve this qualification in the near future and become a Chartered Financial Planner.

Since moving to the town of Pocklington in 2007, Graham has fallen in love with the local area and the wonderful countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.  This has helped to inspire him to develop a passion for health and fitness and also the health of the environment.  Ethical & socially responsible investing is one of the most effective ways that we can make a difference to the world and Graham believes that having the knowledge and experience to advise in that area will be key in the years to come.

2Plan Wealth Management

Network

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Being a smaller organisation has many benefits.  We are able to focus on what is important to our clients and adapt to their changing needs to deliver a financial plan that is truly individual to them.  It can be difficult for larger organisations to deliver a personal and bespoke service, which is what we strive to offer. Everyone has a different journey to take and a different route to follow in their financial lives, and our mission is to guide all our clients along the most efficient routes to achieve their own life goals.

Being smaller can have its drawbacks however, which is why we have teamed up with the national financial adviser network ‘2Plan Wealth Management’.  Launched in July 2007, 2plan have continuously built on their strengths to become one of the leading wealth management firms in the UK. Their head office administration, technology and regulatory teams provide exceptional support to Wolds Financial Planning, enabling us to deliver the best possible service to our clients.

Our partnership with 2plan not only provides us with a cutting edge back-office system, but also provides our clients with a secure, yet easily accessible Client Access Portal.  This enables our clients to be able to monitor their plans, contact their adviser securely, view their documentation (such as valuations and advice reports) and view and update their personal and financial information from one simple log on. 

Further to this, the 2plan head office team are always on hand to deliver superb technical and compliance support, when required.