Gilbert Stephens LLP welcomes a new IFA

The assistance provided by the Financial Services Team of Gilbert Stephens has become increasingly popular both with legal clients and with new clients seeking impartial financial advice. This has led to the recent appointment of Elizabeth Andrews, a fully qualified IFA with expertise in large and small portfolios and specialist knowledge of pensions.

Financial Services Manager, Marcus Quick comments:

“Liz is a Chartered IFA who brings a wealth of specialist knowledge which we will be sharing with our existing and prospective client base. Liz has particular expertise with large investment cases and pensions, and we look forward to growing these areas further over the coming months and years.”

In addition, Liz will also provide financial advice on retirement planning, Inheritance Tax and trust investments. Furthermore, with couples now being encouraged to seek mediation following separation before embarking on the divorce procedure, the ability to discuss and agree financial settlements for pensions will be an added benefit to the range of mediation services which the firm as a whole can now provide.

Liz comments:

“Most clients would not think to turn to their trusted legal services provider for financial advice. However having an in-house financial team enables us to deal with the financial requirements of our clients at the same time as their legal affairs, in an efficient and cost- effective manner. In general, our lives have become increasingly complex, so for most clients the convenience of the dual service will be considerable.

Gilbert Stephens is one of only a very limited number of Solicitors firms in the area who are able to offer clients both financial and legal services from within the same organisation. This ensures that clients receive a professional and complete service which is easy to access. Any firm of Solicitors that offers this combination of services must have authorisation by both the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and the Financial Services Authority. This guarantees the advice given is both comprehensively regulated and fully independent.

The firm also hopes to contribute further to employment in the area as it looks to take on a trainee over the next year to assist the expanding Financial Services team.