Business Profile
Hopwood Ash - Sound financial advice that is truly independent
14th February 2008
ANY business owner will attest to the importance of the right advice and when it comes to financial information. Honest and independent counsel is paramount, which is why so many entrepreneurs turn to Hopwood Ash, who combine the best of financial advice with a wealth of business expertise.
Kevin Hopwood, the joint managing director of Hopwood Ash (pictured), is an experienced and fully qualified Independent Financial Advisor (IFA). However, he is also a truly experienced businessman and has operated at director level in a host of companies within Rank Hovis McDougall, ICI and others.
He said: “It may sound a cliché, but we do take a holistic approach with the advice we offer. Many of our clients will inevitably have their personal finances and business interests entwined. My own experience and that of my colleague Nigel Ash, who has a business law degree and coming from an accountancy background, uniquely position us to help our clients, often identifying important considerations that could prove vital to the financial wellbeing not just of the individual, but also the companies involved.
“We have a real ‘coal face’understanding of how businesses work; some IFAs dabble in offering business advice, but very few truly understand how business works. We do. For instance, we are pioneering syndicated SIPPS that allow the combination of personal pension funds to buy commercial property on a scale never before seen.
“By following this route, pension funds are able to buy premises either for use by the company or for investment purposes. It is very tax advantageous and ultimately that is much of what we do, finding ways to legitimately minimise the amount of tax a company has to pay.
“Established in the late 1990s, but in our current form since 2001, our head office is here in Newbury, and we also have offices in Lower Shiplake, near Henley and Wantage. A great deal of our work comes through referrals from existing clients and we always invite prospective clients to a free hour long consultation.
“At Hopwood Ash, we strongly oppose non-independent advice. Even if the advice in itself might be satisfactory, if the adviser is tied to one company, or even a group of companies, then how on earth can anyone be confident that they are getting the best value for money?
“We are truly independent, so will not only offer good advice, but will ensure that the best value solutions are found. IFAs are now compelled to offer a fee-based option to clients, but that is something we have always done. Where commission would be earned from a product, this can be used to offset the cost of any fees. There is complete transparency in everything we do.”
Hopwood Ash
Tel: (01635) 574560
Fax: (01635) 31545
Web: www.hopwoodash.com
E-mail: advice@hopwoodash.co.uk
