Author name: George Ladds

Last-minute tax planning is something many people fall into every year. As we highlighted in our first blog in March 2026, although we know the key deadlines in the UK tax system, we often seem to have a mindset that encourages waiting until the last possible moment. The media frenzy around the end of the […]

The ISA vs pension debate is often framed in the wrong way. Much of the DIY financial advice you see online is product-focused, asking questions such as: Have you maximised your ISA allowance? Or are you contributing enough to your pension? Naturally, this leads to a very common question: “Should I invest in an ISA

A financial checklist can be one of the simplest ways to prepare for the end of the tax year and avoid unnecessary stress. In the UK, there are two tax dates most people recognise: the 31 January self-assessment deadline and the 5 April end of the tax year. For some reason, many people leave financial

We often hear stories about the rich and famous paying little or no tax.Social media “experts” talk about opportunities, and a friend might mention a scheme they’ve used while you’re having a pint. The truth is, tax planning is about structure and making sure you follow the right frameworks. It’s easy to ask: if it’s

A quick online search shows that a significant proportion of couples manage their money separately. Estimates suggest that around 40% of couples keep separate bank accounts, and many continue to manage savings and investments independently even when their lives are closely intertwined. It’s also not uncommon for each partner to have their own financial adviser

In reality, most of us will always pay tax.What’s often misunderstood is how small, repeatable decisions can make a meaningful difference over time. Instead, tax planning is often put off, either because it feels complex or because it doesn’t feel urgent. Yet using the right allowances, in the right places, can have a significant long-term

Financial advice has changed significantly over the years. It’s important to understand why a financial plan matters in today’s ever-evolving financial landscape. It began with products, then moved towards investment performance. Today, the focus has shifted again — this time towards financial planning. Yet performance still dominates many conversations. Some clients understandably judge an adviser

An ageing profession and a growing challenge. Financial adviser consolidation is a key issue shaping the industry today. Many financial advisers are approaching retirement. This raises an important question about financial adviser consolidation and its impact on succession plans. What happens to clients when their adviser steps back? At Manning Gee Investments, our planning team

“Clients are at the centre of everything we do.” It’s a phrase used widely across financial services, and one I’ve used myself in the past. But over time, I’ve realised it’s easy to say and much harder to evidence. Yet, striving for a truly client-centred approach remains vital. In this article, I want to explore

Fewer than 25% of financial advisers display their fees on their websites, and that’s a problem. Fee transparency is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions. In fact, fee transparency provides clarity that empowers clients. If I walk past a shop with no price labels, I usually keep walking.Not because I’m uninterested, but because two