FAQs

Yes. As an independent firm, we’re not tied to any product provider, which means our advice is based on what’s genuinely right for you, not what’s on a limited shelf of options.

Yes, you can find us on the FCA Register under our reference number 1037331.

Yes, whichever suits you best. Plenty of our clients prefer to meet face to face at our Taunton office, while others fit video calls around busy family or work schedules – either way, you’ll get the same level of attention.

We meet clients at our office at Creech Castle, The Keep, Bathpool, Taunton, TA1 2DX. If it’s easier for you, we’re also happy to arrange a home visit.

Yes, there’s free on-site parking for clients visiting us at Creech Castle, The Keep, Bathpool, Taunton, TA1 2DX.

Cardan Wealth Management was established in July 2025, but our advisers bring decades of hands-on experience between them. And as part of the wider Cardan Financial Group, the service you get from us is built on long-established expertise.

We’re based at Creech Castle in Taunton, and we work with clients right across the south-west and beyond.

While we aren’t a Chartered firm, at an individual level we have advisers who hold Chartered Financial Planner status, awarded by the CII – considered the gold standard in financial planning accreditation, and a public commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Yes, you can read reviews from real clients throughout our website, and we’re always happy to talk through what it’s like to work with us before you commit to anything.

We built our business on old-fashioned values – time, trust, and getting to properly know our clients. That’s backed up with best-in-class financial planning technology and cashflow modelling. It’s a rare combination: the personal, unhurried attention of a close-knit team, with the infrastructure and resources of the wider Cardan Financial Group behind it.

Our headquarters is in Taunton and we work with clients throughout the south-west, including but not limited to Bath, Bridgwater, Bristol, Clevedon, Exeter, Frome, Plymouth, and Yeovil, as well as further afield via video call.

Just get in touch by phone, email, or through the contact page, and we’ll find a time that works for you.

No. Your first meeting with us is free, with no obligation to become a client.

Nothing formal – just an idea of what’s on your mind, whether that’s a specific goal, a pension you’ve lost track of, or simply a sense that you’d like some clarity. We’ll do the rest.

We start by getting to know you – your circumstances, your goals, and what matters most to you and your family. This is the “gathering information” stage of our five-step process, and it’s the foundation everything else is built on.

Around an hour is usually enough, though we’ll never rush you if there’s more to talk through.

No, not at all. The first meeting is about getting to know each other and making sure we’re the right fit for you – there’s no pressure and no obligation.

You’re never left without support – the wider team is always on hand to help, and your adviser will make sure anything urgent is covered while they’re away.

We’ll agree to a formal review with you at least once a year to keep your plan on track, and we’re always just a phone call or email away in between if something comes up or your circumstances change.

Yes. We use best-in-class cashflow modelling software to give you a clear, visual picture of your financial future – including how milestone moments like retirement, sending a child to university, or a big purchase could affect your plans.

That’s exactly what our ongoing review process is designed for. We know that life doesn’t stand still, so we build flexibility into every plan from day one, and we’ll sit down with you at regular intervals to make sure your plan still reflects where you are.

Yes, absolutely – we regularly work alongside other professionals to make sure every part of your financial picture joins up. If you already have a trusted accountant or solicitor, we’re very happy to liaise directly with them on your behalf.

Yes, we’re happy to liaise with your mortgage adviser directly to make sure everything runs smoothly, and nothing falls through the gaps.

Your plan and your records stay with us, and we’ll make sure you’re introduced to another qualified adviser within the team so there’s no disruption to your ongoing advice.

Yes, we’re happy to talk you through an anonymised example of the kind of plan we produce, so you know exactly what to expect before you commit to anything.

We hold a formal review at least once a year, though how often you meet with us after that is up to you – some clients prefer more regular contact, especially around major life changes.

Following an initial planning meeting with one of our advisers, we will introduce you to a specialist mortgage consultant within the Cardan Financial Group who will be able to provide you with personalised, expert advice throughout the process of choosing, applying for, and managing a mortgage.

Equity release can be a useful option for some clients in later life, and we’re happy to talk through whether it could form part of your wider plan, referring you to a specialist adviser where appropriate.

Yes. Whether you’re just starting out or building on an existing pot, our independent pension specialists will help you find the right pension and the right contribution strategy for your goals.

Yes, we regularly advise clients on occupational pension schemes as part of a wider retirement strategy, including how they fit alongside personal pensions and other assets.

Yes. It can often be more efficient to bring your pensions together, and consolidating can improve performance and reduce costs – but it’s not right for everyone. We’ll assess each of your pensions individually first, to make sure you’re not giving up any valuable benefits in the process.

Yes, tax efficiency is central to how we approach pension drawdown and retirement income planning, helping you keep more of what you’ve built up.

Yes. If sustainable or ethically screened investing matters to you, we’ll factor your preferences into your investment strategy alongside your usual objectives.

Yes. Receiving an inheritance often raises as many questions as it answers, and we’ll help you think through your options calmly, whether that’s investing it, using it to boost your pension, or a combination of both.

Yes, SIPPs are one of the pension options we regularly advise on, particularly for clients who want more control over how their pension is invested.

No, but we’d be very happy to refer you to a trusted specialist who can help with this.

Yes, this is one of our core specialisms – particularly for clients who are thinking about how to pass on wealth to loved ones.

Yes, ISAs and other tax-efficient wrappers are a core part of the investment advice we provide, whether you’re investing for income or for growth.

Yes. We offer independent advice across the full range of protection products, including life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, and mortgage life assurance – and because we’re independent, we search the whole market to match you to the right cover at the right price.

Yes, your first meeting with us is free and comes with no obligation.

We’re upfront about costs from the outset. Typically, this means an initial advice fee for putting your plan together, followed by an ongoing service fee for the reviews and support that keep it on track. We’ll always agree the exact figures with you before any work begins.

We don’t work to a rigid minimum – the right fee depends on the complexity of what you need, and we’ll always agree costs with you upfront before doing any work.

It varies from client to client depending on your circumstances and what you need from us, but we’ll always give you a clear, upfront figure before any work begins, so there are never any surprises.

No, not on investment or pension advice – like all regulated advisers, we moved away from commission on these products some years ago in favour of transparent fees. Protection products such as life insurance can still involve commission, and we’ll always be upfront about how we’re paid.

Financial advice relating to pensions and investments is generally exempt from VAT, so in most cases, no.

We’ll always set out our fees clearly before you commit to anything, so you can weigh up the cost against the value of the advice and ongoing support you’re getting – not just compare a number in isolation.

Fee structures vary quite a bit across the industry, so it’s hard to give a like-for-like comparison in the abstract. What we can promise is complete transparency – you’ll know exactly what you’re paying and why, before you decide to work with us.

You’ll find full details on our fees page, or you’re welcome to ask us directly at your initial meeting.

Yes. Early retirement takes careful planning to make sure your money lasts, and it’s exactly the kind of long-term thinking our retirement specialists are built for. We’ll help you understand what’s realistic and how to get there.

Yes, retirement planning is one of our core specialisms. Whether your next chapter is decades away or just around the corner, we’ll help you build a plan that gives you the retirement you actually want.

We work with individuals and families at every stage of life – from those juggling work and family life, to people approaching or already in retirement, to those thinking about how to pass on wealth. We also work with professional connections such as solicitors and accountants, and with corporate clients on workplace pensions.

Yes. We know that getting a proper handle on your finances can fall down the to-do list when you’re juggling career and family. That’s exactly where we come in, helping you build strong financial foundations early.

Yes, we work with a wide range of corporate clients, including company directors, on matters like corporate pension planning, investments, and Inheritance Tax planning.

Yes, this is one of the areas we know best, whether you’re weighing up your options a few years out or already retired and reviewing your income in drawdown.

Yes. We’ll help you think through your options calmly and clearly, with no pressure to make quick decisions about money that often comes with complicated feelings attached.

Yes. Selling a business often brings a significant lump sum and a lot of decisions all at once, and we’ll help you plan tax-efficiently for what comes next, whether that’s investing the proceeds, retirement planning, or passing on wealth.

Yes. We understand that difficult moments like bereavement are much easier to navigate when the financial side is taken care of, and we aim to bring guidance and empathy alongside the practical support.

Yes, all three. We work closely with retirees and those approaching retirement, with company directors and business owners on corporate and personal planning, and with professional connections like solicitors and accountants who trust us with their clients.

Our advice is aimed primarily at UK residents. If you’re based overseas, do get in touch to discuss your situation – depending on where you live, there may be some limits on what we’re able to advise on.

Yes, absolutely. We’ll review what you already have as part of building your plan, comparing your existing arrangements against the market to make sure they’re still working as hard as they should be for you.

Eligible investments are typically protected by the FSCS, currently up to £120,000 per person, per firm – giving you an additional layer of security on top of the advice we provide. You can check current limits on the FSCS website at any time.

We’ll always do our best to put things right directly, so please talk to us first. If you’re not satisfied with our response, you have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, free of charge.

We take data protection seriously and handle all client information in line with UK GDPR, using secure systems and strict internal processes. You can read our full privacy policy for more detail.

Yes. Like all FCA-regulated firms, we hold professional indemnity insurance, giving you extra peace of mind when you work with us.

You can check our authorisation at any time on the FCA’s Financial Services Register under our reference number, using our firm name or registration number 1037331.

Yes, we share real client reviews throughout our website, and we’re always happy to talk through similar situations to yours during your initial meeting.