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Trust is key in any relationship, whether that’s between husband and wife or seller and buyer. If there is no trust, there is no relationship, and ultimately no deal.

There are certain types of professionals we trust and those we don’t.  We all trust our doctor and our dentist, but we’re sceptical when it comes to mechanics or salesmen (I use these examples because my car is in for service, and I’m going to the dentist later). When it comes to financial services, we generally start at the wrong end of the trust scale and we need to build the trust. Most people have seen, read or heard the media and when I say I’m a financial planner, I get the “So you sell insurance question” (I even got asked it last week at a networking event for businesses and professions). While the answer isn’t as simple as no, people have already written me off, believing me to be just a greedy salesman.

Rebuilding Trust

Over the years some financial advisers have caused people to lose money – there is no getting away from that fact. A general rule of thumb is if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The recent Panama Papers are an example of this. Everyone should be paying some tax, it’s absolutely fine to minimise how much you pay, but to hide money away from the tax man is wrong. Again, David Cameron was in the papers for receiving money from a trust. There’s nothing wrong with using legitimate tax planning strategies, that’s what they are for. If you speak to someone who tells you he has a great new scheme, beware. The best I’ve heard of is buying a car parking space in Delhi, which can then be rented out each day. Run a mile if you hear that.

Why Destination is different?

Everyone has a dream. I haven’t met anybody that isn’t aiming for something. Some people may dream bigger than others, and that’s OK. As financial planners, we are more interested in finding out what it is you want to achieve and how we can get you there, than just trying to sell you some life insurance or an investment. Some people are genuinely worried how their partner and children would get by if they weren’t around, and that’s when we look at how to protect your family.

We are here to help you get started on the financial planning journey. We can help with simple investments, or we can go further by creating a financial plan and helping you plan your journey to success. We can only do this by building your trust, so that you tell us what you want or need.

We had a running joke in the office that dentists are the next big scandal. We go to them, they say we need a filling and we let them get them on with it, without ever seeking a second opinion. Then they charge us, we leave and everyone moves on. With financial planning, people ask us how much can you make me? Then they ask the next person, and go with the highest bidder. But is there a better question? What about “How much can you save me?” or even “Can you help me meet my objectives?”

We’re here to help. We’re here to talk to you. We use what we have learnt from working with Navigator clients, and offer the scaled down version through Destination for those that just need a start. Navigator is up for a UK Small Adviser of the Year award, and just to have been shortlisted is a huge achievement. Our record and client trust is there to be seen. Those who start talking to us but say, I don’t want to be first – you aren’t. You’re not even the 101st person to ask for help.

Trust me – it’s my job.