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In their wordsFAQs
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions here.
About us
What are the key cities, towns and areas you work with clients in?
We work with clients across Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, the New Forest, Southampton, and surrounding areas. We also currently work with clients in Winchester, London, West Sussex, Somerset, and Devon.
What makes your firm different from other financial advisers and planners?
What makes our firm different is the strength of the relationships we build with our clients. Taking the time to truly get to know our clients allows us to provide more effective and personalised financial planning.
How long has Strativa Financial Planning been providing financial services?
Strativa Financial Planning has been providing financial planning since February 2026. Sam and Julian each have 30 years experience as advisers in financial services, previously working at Independence Assured Limited and Leggett & Company.
Do you offer independent financial planning?
Yes, we offer independent financial planning tailored to your individual circumstances and objectives.
Where are face-to-face meetings held?
Face-to-face meetings can be held at your home or business, or at our office.
Can I choose between meeting in person or on a video call?
Yes – whichever suits you best. We can meet face to face or via video call.
Do you have parking at your office?
Yes, parking is available at our office for clients visiting us. Your adviser will confirm the location agreed for your meeting.
Do you have any client reviews or written/video testimonials, and where can I view them?
Yes, we have written testimonials, which can be viewed on our dedicated ‘Client stories’ page.
Does the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulate you?
Strativa Financial Planning Limited is an Appointed Representative of ValidPath Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 197107.
What is your FCA registration number?
Our FCA registration number is 1047523. You can find our FCA profile here.
Does your firm hold Accredited status as awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)?
The firm does not currently hold Chartered status with the CII, however, all members of the team have in excess of 30 years of real world experience and we are committed to maintaining high professional standards and continually developing our expertise and service offering.
Are your advisers/planners Chartered or Certified?
Our advisers and planners are experienced professionals committed to ongoing development and delivering high-quality financial advice tailored to clients’ needs. While they are not currently Chartered or Certified, we maintain a strong focus on expertise, compliance, and client service.
Advice areas
Can you advise on investments such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)?
Yes, we can advise on a range of investments, including ISAs.
Can you advise on personal pensions?
Yes, we can advise on personal pensions and help you plan for retirement in a way that suits your goals and circumstances.
Can you advise on self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)?
Yes, we can advise on self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs).
Can you help me consolidate multiple pensions?
Yes, we can help you review and consolidate multiple pensions where appropriate.
Can you help me take my pension tax-efficiently?
Yes, we can help you access your pension in a tax-efficient way and explain the options available to you.
Can you advise on occupational pensions?
We can help you understand your occupational pension benefits and how they fit in to your wider plans, but we do not advice on occupational pension transfers.
Can you advise on final salary or defined benefit transfers?
No, we do not advise on final salary or defined benefit pension transfers.
Can you advise on mortgages?
Yes, we can advise on a wide range of mortgage solutions. You can find out more about how we offer mortgage support here.
Can you advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover, and income replacement?
Yes, we can advise on a range of protection policies, including life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection.
Can you advise on equity release?
No, we do not advise on equity release directly. However, we can refer you to a trusted specialist adviser in this area.
Can you help with Inheritance Tax planning or estate planning?
Yes, we can help with Inheritance Tax planning and broader estate planning considerations.
Can you help me invest an inheritance I’ve received?
Yes, we can help you make informed decisions about investing an inheritance and discuss the options available to you.
Do you offer advice on long-term care or later-life planning?
No, we do not currently offer advice in these areas.
Can you help with ethical or sustainable investing?
Yes, we can help you explore ethical and sustainable investment options that align with your preferences and objectives.
Fees and value
How can I find your fees?
Our fees can be found here.
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and how we may be able to help.
How do you charge for financial planning?
We primarily charge adviser fees, although commission and procuration fees may also be received for certain products.
Do you charge fixed fees or a percentage of my investments?
Our charges may include fixed fees and percentage-based fees, depending on the service provided. Full details are outlined here.
Do you charge VAT?
No, we do not charge VAT on our advice fees.
Do you get commission?
Yes, commission may be received for life insurance and protection plans only.
What do you typically charge for a financial plan?
For a £250,000 investment, the fee would typically be £5,450, which includes advice, implementation, and cashflow modelling. Ongoing services are charged at 0.80%. Future investments are discounted by £1,200 for clients already using our ongoing service, and further discounts may apply depending on the total amount under management.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Cashflow Planning.
What is your minimum fee?
Our minimum fee for financial planning is £1,200 plus a percentage of the investment amount. Mortgage advice starts from £595. Please refer to our fees and charges page for further details.
How do your fees compare to other advisers/planners?
According to the Which? research, our initial fees are generally lower than average, particularly for larger investments, while our ongoing fees are broadly in line with industry averages. Research dated 10.09.2025.
How do I know if your fees are competitive?
You can compare our fees against other published adviser fees and independent research, including articles in consumer publications such as Which?. An article dated 10.09.2025 discusses ‘How much financial advice costs’.
Trust, safety and compliance
How can I check your FCA registration and authorisation?
You can check our FCA registration and authorisation using the FCA register. Our profile can be found here.
Are you insured to give financial planning/advice?
Yes, Validpath holds professional indemnity (PI) insurance.
How do you keep my personal data secure?
Data security is very important to us. We use a back-office system with a multi-layered security approach, including built-in encryption for data at rest and in transit, advanced threat protection against phishing and malware, and robust identity management processes.
Do you have client stories or case studies I can read?
Yes, there are testimonials and client stories available on our website. You can read them in detail here.
Have you won any awards or accreditations?
Sam previously received an award from the Financial Adviser publication for achieving the highest AFPC adviser result while completing diploma-level examinations.
What happens if something goes wrong or I have a complaint?
If something goes wrong, we will work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, where it is within our control to do so. Any formal complaints regarding the company would be handled by Validpath in line with their complaints procedure.
Are my investments protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
Yes, the types of plans we recommend would generally fall under FSCS protection.
Who we work with
Can you help if I already have existing investments or pensions elsewhere?
Yes, we can review your existing investments and pensions and advise on whether they remain suitable for your needs and objectives.
Is there a minimum amount of investable assets or income I need to become a client?
No, there is no minimum amount required to become a client. However, our ongoing service is generally considered most cost-effective for clients with investments of £125,000 or more. Below this level, we would usually provide a more self-governing accumulation solution.
What type of clients do you typically work with?
We work with a wide range of clients, including families, small business owners, and people approaching or already in retirement. For mortgage advice, we support everyone from first-time buyers through to experienced landlords.
Do you work with clients approaching retirement or already retired?
Yes, we work with many clients who are approaching retirement, as well as those already enjoying retirement.
Can you help me retire early?
Yes – we can help you plan for an early retirement and understand what steps may be needed to achieve it.
Do you work with company directors or self-employed clients?
Yes, we regularly work with company directors and self-employed clients.
Do you specialise in working with business owners, retirees, or professionals?
We work with all of these client groups and have experience supporting clients across a range of circumstances and life stages.
Can you help clients who have sold, or are in the process of selling, a business?
Yes, we can help clients who are preparing to sell a business or who have already completed a sale.
Can you help clients manage their finances after a bereavement?
Yes, we understand this can be an incredibly difficult time, and we can provide practical financial support and guidance following a bereavement.
Can you help clients who have inherited money?
Yes, we can help clients make informed decisions after receiving an inheritance and advise on the most suitable next steps.
Do you work with younger clients who are still building wealth?
Yes, we do work with younger clients who are building wealth and putting good financial foundations in place. However, our ongoing service is generally more suited to clients with assets that require ongoing advice and management.
Do you offer financial planning for expats or non-UK residents?
No, we do not currently provide advice for expats or non-UK residents.
Working together
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
No, there is no obligation to sign up to our services at the initial meeting.
What happens in the first meeting?
The first meeting is a discovery and fact-finding meeting where we take the time to understand your circumstances, objectives, and financial needs.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
Please bring any paperwork relating to your current plans or mortgages, along with identification and proof of address documents. For mortgage advice, we may also require payslips, accounts, and bank statements.
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
No, there is no charge for an initial meeting.
How can I book an initial meeting?
Once you contact us and we have established that we can help, we will send you a link to our online diary to arrange an initial meeting.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
You should generally allow around an hour and a half for the initial meeting.
Do you offer cashflow forecasting/planning as part of your service?
Yes, we offer cashflow forecasting and planning as part of our service.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Cashflow Planning.
Can I see an example of a financial plan?
Yes, examples of financial plans can be provided on request during the first meeting.
Do you have a female adviser or planner I can work with?
Yes, we do have a female adviser/planner available.
Will I be able to see the value of my investments online?
Yes, you will be able to view the value of your investments online.
Do you provide an online portal for clients to view their investments?
Yes, we can provide an online portal for clients who would like one.
How often will I meet with my adviser or planner?
Clients who engage with our ongoing service will meet with their adviser at least annually, with additional meetings available if required.
How often will I hear from my financial adviser or planner?
Clients using our ongoing services will hear from us at least annually, with additional contact whenever relevant. We also operate an open-door policy, so clients are welcome to contact their adviser whenever needed.
What happens if my circumstances change?
If your circumstances change, simply get in touch with us, and we will discuss the changes and advise accordingly.
Can you work alongside my accountant or solicitor?
Yes, absolutely. We are happy to work alongside your accountant or solicitor where appropriate.
Can you coordinate with my mortgage adviser if they need information from you?
Yes, we can coordinate with your mortgage adviser if information is required.
What happens if my adviser leaves the firm?
If your adviser leaves the firm, arrangements will be made to ensure you continue to be looked after by another adviser with similar abilities and values.
What happens if my financial planner is away on holiday?
Our advisers are fully supported by an experienced administration team, and any urgent matters will be dealt with appropriately while your adviser is away.
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