Yes, we provide independent financial advice, which means we can consider products from the whole of the market rather than being limited to a restricted panel. We recommend solutions that we believe are suitable for your needs and objectives, based on the information you share with us.

Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA firm reference number is 462172, which you can use to check our status on the FCA Register.

Yes, we can meet face to face or by video call, depending on what works best for you. We use Zoom or Microsoft Teams for online meetings.

Face-to-face meetings are held at our office in York. If you prefer, we can also meet by video call.

There are around six parking spaces directly outside our office, but they are not reserved for us. If those spaces are full, we can talk you through nearby alternatives when arranging your visit.

We have been providing financial advice since April 2007. That experience helps us support clients through different life stages and market conditions.

We are based in York and we work with clients locally and across the UK. Meetings can be in person or online, so distance does not need to be a barrier.

Ruth and Mark are Chartered members of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), and Gary is Chartered through the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). Ruth is also a Certified Financial Planner.

No, the firm does not hold Chartered Firm status with the Chartered Insurance Institute. However, individual advisers in our team hold Chartered status through their professional bodies.

Yes, we’re proud to be one of the very few firms that hold both Chartered and Accredited firm status, as awarded by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI). This reflects our commitment to the highest professional standards.

Yes, you can watch video testimonials by our clients on our website. We use these to show real examples of how we have helped clients, without sharing personal details that should remain private.

We are a small, independent firm based in York, and we aim to be open and transparent about how we work, including publishing our fees on our website. We also support our local community through charity donations, volunteering and education initiatives.

Our FCA firm reference number is 462172. You can use this number to look us up on the FCA Register.

Many of our clients are in Yorkshire, including York and the surrounding areas. We also work with clients nationally, using online meetings where needed.

Initial meetings can be arranged using the “Book a Consultation” option on our website. We usually start with a short introductory chat and then schedule a Discovery Meeting if it looks like we may be a good fit.

No, the initial meeting is free and there is no obligation to proceed. If you decide to move forward after that, we will explain any fees before any work starts.

It helps to bring details of your current finances, such as pensions, investments, savings, debts, income and outgoings. If you do not have everything to hand, we can agree what information is needed after the meeting.

The first meeting, which we call the Discovery Meeting, is a chance for us to understand your goals and for you to see how we work. There is no obligation to decide in that meeting, and many people take time afterwards to think things through.

We allocate up to two hours for the initial meeting so there is time to explore your priorities and questions properly. If more time is needed, we can agree the next steps with you.

No, you do not have to commit to anything at the initial meeting. If you decide to proceed later, we will confirm the scope of work and fees in writing first.

Yes, Ruth Norman is a Certified Financial Planner and can support you as your financial adviser. We will always strive to ensure the right adviser is matched to your needs and preferences where possible.

If your usual adviser is away, another adviser or our support team can help you in the meantime. We work as a team so you are not left without support when something needs attention.

We provide regular client communications, typically monthly, and we hold an annual Forward Planning Meeting to review your plan. We also send additional updates during the year when something relevant changes.

Yes, cashflow forecasting is part of our financial planning process to help you understand how your finances may develop over time. Forecasts are based on assumptions and projections, so they are not a guarantee of future outcomes.

If your circumstances change, we can review your plan and update your recommendations to reflect your new position and priorities. We will explain any implications, including costs, before making changes.

Yes, we can work alongside your accountant or solicitor so your financial planning is joined up. With your permission, we will share relevant information and coordinate actions where needed.

Yes, we can coordinate with your mortgage adviser if they need information relevant to your wider financial plan. We will only share information with your consent and in a way that supports your objectives.

We have very low staff turnover, but if your adviser did leave, we would introduce you to another Ardent adviser so your service continues smoothly. We keep clear records so the new adviser can pick things up without you needing to start again.

Yes, we can show you an example of a financial plan during the Discovery Meeting, so you know what to expect. We also provide examples in the video resources we provide on our website that explain how a plan is presented.

Yes, where your investments are held on our chosen platforms, you can view valuations online and through mobile apps. We use platforms such as Nucleus and P1 Platform, and we will show you how to access your information.

Yes, clients have access to our Personal Finance Portal for secure information and communication. This makes it easier to view key documents and keep records in one place.

We normally meet at least once a year for an annual review. We are also available throughout the year if something changes or you need to revisit your plan.

No, we do not provide mortgage advice. If you need mortgage support, we can introduce you to a local mortgage adviser in York.

Yes, we can advise on equity release, and Ruth Norman has specialist experience in this area, in addition to being a member of the Equity Release Council. Equity release is a long-term commitment and can reduce the value of your estate, so we would make sure you understand the risks and alternatives.

Yes, we advise on personal pensions, including contributions, investment choices and retirement options. Pension decisions can affect your long-term income and may have tax implications, which depend on your circumstances and can change.

Yes, we can advise on occupational pensions and how they fit with your wider retirement plan. We will review the benefits and options available, including any guarantees or employer rules.

Yes, we can review your existing pensions and advise whether consolidation could make your retirement planning simpler. Consolidating is not always appropriate, especially where guarantees or valuable benefits apply, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you plan how to take pension benefits in a tax-efficient way. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and rules can change, so we will explain the options and implications before you act.

Yes, we can help you invest in line with both ethical and sustainable preferences, using suitable funds and screening approaches. Your choices may limit the range of investments available, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help you decide how to use and invest an inheritance in line with your goals and timeframes. We will consider your need for access to cash, your attitude to risk and any tax considerations, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can advise on SIPPs and whether they are suitable for your retirement planning. SIPPs can offer more flexibility and investment choice, but they also carry investment risk and may involve higher costs.

No, we do not advise on transfers from final salary or defined benefit pension schemes. We can still help you plan around these benefits and look at your wider retirement position.

Yes, we provide advice on later-life planning, including how to prepare for potential long-term care needs. We can help you understand the funding options and how they may affect your income and estate.

Yes, we can help with inheritance tax and estate planning as part of your wider financial plan. Tax rules are complex and can change, and any approach will depend on your circumstances.

Yes, we advise on investments including ISAs and how they fit within your overall plan. We will discuss your objectives and risk tolerance, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection. We will recommend cover based on your needs and budget, and explain the key terms, exclusions and costs before you decide.

Yes, we offer a free initial meeting so you can understand how we work and whether we can help. If you choose to proceed, we will set out the services and fees clearly before any advice is implemented.

We publish our fees on our website and we will confirm the cost of any work with you in writing before you proceed. Charges depend on the service you need and whether you want one-off advice or an ongoing relationship.

Our minimum fee is set out on our website and depends on the type of work involved. We will confirm the relevant minimum cost for your situation before starting any advice work.

Our typical cost for producing a financial plan is published on our website and varies with complexity. We will explain what is included and confirm the fee before we begin.

Our fee structure is published on our website and can include fixed fees and, for some services, charges linked to the value of investments. We will explain how any charges are calculated and agree them with you before proceeding.

We may receive commission on some equity release and protection cases, and any commission would be disclosed to you before you agree to proceed. In other areas, we charge fees for advice so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

No, we do not charge VAT on our fees. We will still provide a clear breakdown of costs before you proceed.

We publish our fees openly so you can compare them with other firms. Before you decide, we will explain what is included in our service so you can judge value as well as price.

Our fees reflect the work involved and the level of service we provide, and we publish them openly to support comparison. Different firms structure fees in different ways, so we focus on being clear about what you receive for the cost, so you can make an informed decision.

Our fees are available on our website fees page. We will also confirm any charges with you in writing before you agree to go ahead.

Yes, we can help you assess whether early retirement is feasible and what trade-offs it may involve. We typically use cashflow planning to model different scenarios, but projections are not guarantees and outcomes can change.

Yes, we help clients plan for retirement and other life goals by bringing pensions, investments and spending plans together. We will agree a plan with you and review it over time as circumstances and markets change.

We typically work with people who want clear financial planning and advice across areas such as pensions, investments, protection and later-life planning. We are transparent about what we can and cannot advise on, and we will confirm whether our services match your needs. You can see an outline of the types of clients we can help on our fees page.

Potentially, yes, it depends on your needs, your investable assets, and the level of planning support you are likely to require. We will be upfront about whether our service is the right fit and what it would involve.

Yes, we work with company directors and self-employed clients. We can help coordinate personal and business finances where relevant, while keeping any tax guidance general and dependent on your circumstances.

Yes, many of our clients are approaching retirement or already retired. We can help you plan income, manage investments and review your position regularly.

Yes, we can help clients who have inherited money decide how best to use it within their wider plan. We will consider your goals, access needs and risk tolerance, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, we can help if you have sold a business or are preparing for a sale, particularly around investing proceeds and planning future income. We can also coordinate with your accountant and solicitor to make sure the plan fits alongside the wider transaction.

Yes, we can help clients manage finances after a bereavement, including reviewing assets, pensions and any existing plans. We take a sensitive, step-by-step approach and explain options clearly so you can make decisions at your own pace.

Yes, we often work with business owners, retirees and professionals, although we support a range of clients. We will confirm early on whether we have the right expertise for what you need.

No, we do not provide financial advice for expats or non-UK residents. We focus on UK-based clients and UK-regulated advice.

Yes, we can review existing pensions and investments held elsewhere and advise how they fit with your overall plan. We will look at costs, performance, benefits and any guarantees, and investments can go down as well as up.

Yes, our typical minimum is around £200,000 of investable assets. This helps ensure our service is cost-effective for the level of work involved.

Yes, though it’s important to note that, whilst many UK-regulated investment arrangements have Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection, cover depends on the product, provider and circumstances. We will explain what protection applies to your arrangements and the relevant limits before you invest.

If you have a complaint, we follow the Financial Conduct Authority’s stringent complaints procedures and will handle it in line with those rules. We will provide our complaints process in writing, including your right to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service if needed.

We carry out due diligence on the systems we use and provide a secure Personal Finance Portal for sharing information and communication. We also hold a Cyber Essentials certificate and carry out regular cyber reviews to help protect client data and ensure we are utilising best practice for data handling.

Yes, we maintain full Professional Indemnity Insurance for our regulated advice activities. This is one of the safeguards that supports clients when using an FCA-regulated firm.

You can check our authorisation on the FCA Register using our firm reference number 462172. The register shows the activities we are permitted to carry out and our contact details.

Yes, our website includes a range of client stories, both in written and video format. They are designed to give you a feel for our approach without disclosing confidential personal information.

We run an annual client survey and publish the results, and we also monitor feedback through Google and VouchedFor reviews. We use this input to improve our service and communication.

All of our advisers are VouchedFor Top Rated, we have been listed as a New Model Adviser Top 100 firm, and we were finalists at the Professional Adviser Awards in 2024 and 2025 for Adviser Firm of the Year, North East. You can view a list of our accolades on our website. Awards and ratings can change over time, but we aim to provide a consistently high standard of service.

Yes, our advisers are featured on VouchedFor. You can view profiles and verified reviews there, alongside other sources of client feedback.