We will be straight with you: we do not have an office in Chelmsford. Our family-run practice works from Lynfield, in Roydon, on the far side of the county. What we can offer Chelmsford clients is independent, whole-of-market advice delivered over video and the phone, with the option of meeting in person at our Roydon office if you would like to.
The county’s city
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex and was granted city status in 2012. Essex County Council has its headquarters at County Hall in the city centre, and Chelmsford City Council runs the wider district. The city grew up where the River Can meets the River Chelmer, and Chelmsford station on the Great Eastern Main Line gives direct services to London Liverpool Street. The A12 bypasses the city, and the A414 heads west across the county towards Harlow and our part of Essex.
With a university campus, a large public sector workforce and plenty of London commuters, it is a city where people often have a mix of pensions, savings and property, and a feeling that it should all add up to something clearer than it does.
Why advice does not have to be local
Choosing an adviser a few towns away can feel unusual, so it is worth explaining how it works in practice. Most of what good advice involves is listening, gathering information and explaining options, and none of that depends on sitting in the same room.
- Meetings: booking online sets up a free Google Meet video call with Laurence or Kealy. If you prefer the phone, that is fine too.
- Paperwork: statements and other papers can reach us through secure online sharing, so you do not need to post anything.
- Face to face: if you would rather meet in person, you are welcome at our office in Roydon. Call 0333 011 5550 to arrange it.
- The same advice: the recommendations, the explanation of risks and the reviews are the same whether we meet on screen or across a desk.
Can I afford to stop work?
This is the question we are asked most often, and it rarely has a one-line answer. It depends on what you have saved, what you expect to spend, when your State Pension starts, how your investments might perform and what you would like to leave behind. Guessing at all of that is stressful. Seeing it laid out is usually a relief.
That is what cash flow planning is for. We bring your income, spending, pensions, savings and property together on one timeline and project it forward year by year. You can then test the questions that keep you up at night:
- What if I retire two years earlier, or go part-time first?
- What if markets fall sharply in the year I stop work?
- What if we help the children with a house deposit?
- What if one of us needs care later on?
A cash flow plan is not a promise. It is based on assumptions about growth, inflation and tax, and real life will turn out differently. It is reviewed and updated over time, so it stays useful as things change. For more background, read how much you need to retire comfortably.
Public sector and private sector pensions together
Many Chelmsford households have one partner in a public sector scheme and the other in a workplace defined contribution pension. The two work very differently. One promises an income based on your salary and service; the other depends on what is paid in and how it is invested. We can explain how they fit together, how and when each can be taken, and what that means for your joint retirement date. Moving a defined benefit pension is not right for most people, and we will always say so where that applies. For background, see pensions and retirement and our explainer on income drawdown.
The rest of the picture
A retirement plan only works if it is protected along the way. If someone depends on your income, life and income protection may matter as much as your pension. And if money is building up beyond your emergency fund, we can talk about investing it in line with your goals and attitude to risk. For larger estates, inheritance tax planning can sit alongside the cash flow plan.
Other Essex pages
Harlow & Old Harlow
West along the A414, close to our office.
Epping
The Epping Forest district’s main town.
Loughton
On the Central line, beside Epping Forest.
Essex
All the Essex towns we serve.
See your plan on one page
A free first conversation is the easiest way to find out whether cash flow planning would help you. There is no obligation.
Book a free first conversationImportant — the risks
The performance of your investments is subject to risk. Its performance may fluctuate based on movements in the market and economic conditions. Capital is at risk. Currency movements may also affect the value of investments. You may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Tax treatment is based on an individual’s unique circumstances and may be subject to change.
A pension is a long-term investment — the fund value may fluctuate and can go down, and your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.
Think carefully before securing debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Please note that some mortgages, such as commercial buy-to-lets, are not regulated by the FCA.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an office in Chelmsford?
No. We have one office, at Lynfield, Harlow Road, Roydon, Harlow CM19 5HH. Chelmsford clients mostly see us on screen or speak by phone, and in-person meetings in Roydon can be arranged.
Can the whole process be done without meeting in person?
Yes. A free Google Meet video call can be booked online, and paperwork can travel by secure online sharing. Face-to-face meetings remain an option.
What is cash flow planning?
It is a year-by-year projection of your income, spending, savings and pensions, used to test questions such as when you could afford to retire. It is based on assumptions, so it is reviewed as things change.
Can you advise on a public sector pension?
We can explain how your scheme works and how it fits with your other pensions and savings. Moving a defined benefit pension is not right for most people.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. Your first conversation is free and with no obligation.
Laurence leads on pensions, investments and business protection. More about Laurence.
Important: This page is general information about the areas we serve and the services we offer. It is not personal financial advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, please get in touch.