Joanne Roberts and Ashley Clark, founders of in the UK, have established an entirely separate financial advice firm in Spain called , SL to meet what they say is a "growing need for professional, high quality financial advice" for British Expatriates living in Spain.
Ashley said: "Many Brits abroad have fallen victim to advisers that have no qualifications, poor access to markets and providers, have no professional negligence insurance and have little or no policing from State regulators". The number of times I have met with people who have lost their life savings and have little recourse for compensation in Spain is staggering".
Joanne added: "We have even seen advertisements offering to obtain expatriates a UK State Pension Forecast for €300 through to another offering Wills for €1,000. A UK State Pension Forecast is free! And a Spanish Will, with a translator, should cost no more than €150-€200.
The Costas financial markets do have some quality advisers but there are also far too many 'bond floggers' preying on people and abusing their trust". Joanne and Ashley have had many discussions and meetings over the last two years with British Embassy Officials, UK and Spanish Regulators, Costa Action Groups, Expat Clubs and many more to ensure people have access to and feel secure in the knowledge that they are getting quality advice.
Whilst the UK and Spanish Companies are separate, with different branding and social objectives, introducers agreements have been established so that if a client does not want financial advice under Spanish Law, they can be referred to in the UK. The approach is simple and painless. You can have advice under Spanish Law via , SL or you can choose to see an adviser in Spain but have the advice issued under UK Law via in the (UK) and benefit from professional negligence insurance and have your advice policed by the toughest financial regulator in the World, the UK's Financial Services Authority.
Joanne added: "We are honest, professional people who went to Spain because our friends were victims of poor advice, we have opened in Spain to ensure people get good quality, unbiased advice when they move to the sun and to play a major part in clearing up the Costa's advice mess". In simple terms, expatriates now have a choice. Unregulated, unclear, unprotected advice or regulated, transparent, high quality, highly qualified, protected advice from the Directors of the UK's leading team of Independent Financial Advisers now looking to create the same advice model in Spain.
On people's fear of seeing yet another silver tongued financial adviser promising the earth, Ashley commented: "We are totally different to what people perceive advisers to be. We do not wear suits, we agree in writing all costs, fees or commissions upfront before any work is done. We never hide any commissions, in fact we mostly give commissions back to clients, we even have a 'no pressure' guarantee. Clients decide what happens to their money and when. Our friendly, no nonsense approach appeals to almost everyone and results speak for themselves. "We will even give you contact details of people who have dealt with us here in Spain and you can find out what they think!"
, SL's administrative head office is in Benalmádena, Malaga, Costa del Sol, with advice available throughout Spain. As part of its launch, , SL is offering a FREE two hour Money Clinic review of affairs to the first 500 people who call or make contact in Spain as well as a range of FREE factsheets on International savings, investments, pensions, life insurance, inheritance tax and trusts specifically for the expatriate.
Contact , SL in Spain for more details on (+34) 918 371 323 or call us here in the UK (+44) 0870 950 7788.