Lester Brunt Wealth Management is a family-focused business, born out of the passion to help clients build and secure financial freedom for individuals and for families. We believe that financial advice is for everyone, no matter your wealth, no matter your age. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of financial planning, assisting with whatever is needed to make a positive difference to you and your family.
We encourage families to get together and talk about money, helping over 4,500 clients so far. We’re here for you and your family during the peaks and troughs of life, with a team of highly qualified advisers available to guide you and your family through your finances.
A trusted relationship is one of life’s most valuable assets – it is the cornerstone on which our relationships are built. We build long-term relationships so we can be there every step of the way on your financial journey, adapting and tailoring plans to provide a strong platform for your future. Plans are created personalised to you, highlighting what you find important and helping your money make a positive difference in the areas that you care about.
We understand that finance can be a daunting topic, which is why we put your priorities first. Plans are bespoke to you and your appetite to risk, making sure your money is invested in the areas and sectors you want it to be. As a Managing Partner Practice of St. James’s Place, we have strong roots that nurture confidence. We offer solutions to help you achieve your goals, putting your financial wellbeing at the forefront and with SJP guaranteeing* the suitability of our advice to you and your family.
*St. James’s Place guarantees the suitability of the advice given by any member of the St. James’s Place Partnership when recommending any of the wealth management products and services available from companies in the Group, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products
We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for you, striving to make handling your finances a more inclusive, informative experience. Simply giving advice isn’t enough for us. By listening closely, we gain an in-depth understanding of the areas you find important, making sure the things you hold dear are accounted and cared for. When it comes to the future of your family, we help you to achieve financial peace of mind, aiming for your money to be working and growing with you.
We have advisers who are SOLLA Accredited, which means that they are able to help you with all later-life financial matters. They can ensure your finances - or those of a loved one, are one less thing to worry about whilst you concentrate on maintaining your health.
We are signatories of the Financial Vulnerability Charter. This means we align with an independent set of standards that are equally in line with the expectations and rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. The Independent Charter enables us to promote our own processes and commitment to treating clients fairly.
We are a holder of the GBC accreditation, which is awarded through recognition of responsible business practices. There are 10 key areas in which this accreditation is measured: real living wage, fairer hours and contracts, employee well-being, employee representation, diversity and inclusion, environmental responsibility, paying fair tax, commitment to customers, ethical sourcing, and prompt payment.
We have advisers who hold the Chartered Financial Planner qualification. Regarded as the accolade for the most experienced and most qualified advisers in the profession, the qualification is awarded to members with over five years of sector experience, who can apply for Chartered Financial Planner status on completion of the Advanced Diploma.
Lester Brunt Wealth Management is a Managing Partner Practice of St. James's Place. This means we are a restricted financial adviser and have access to the St. James's Place distinctive investment approach and the backing and reassurance of investing with a FTSE 100 company.
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
We have advisers who are accredited in financial education. This means they work in the local area to boost the knowledge of finance through educational presentations within schools or even your workplace.
Since 2017 HMRC have required any tax-paying Trusts to be registered with them through the online Trust Registration Service (TRS).
The latest UK Money Laundering Regulations have now extended this requirement to include most nontaxable Trusts which also now need to be registered on the TRS. This is to comply with the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive.
Any existing non-taxable Trust must be registered by 1 September 2022. Any new Trust must register by 1 September 2022 or within 90 days of being created (whichever is later). This means that a Trust set up before 4 June 2022 will have to be registered by 1 September 2022. Any Trust set up from 4 June 2022 will have to be registered within the following 90 days. For this reason, registering a Trust on the TRS will become a requirement in the process when advising on all new Trust business. Any changes made to the Trust (change of Trustee, Beneficiary etc) must also be notified to the register within 90 days of the change.
HMRC provides a full list of Trusts that are excluded from registration, but generally speaking all SJP Trusts; including Gift Plans, Discounted Gift Trusts (DGT), Loan Trusts, Asset Preservation Trusts (APTs) and Designated Unit Trusts require registration.
Exceptions are:
• Asset Preservation Trusts set up before 6 October 2020 that hold assets worth less than £100
• Trusts where the only asset is a protection plan (a policy that only pays out on death, terminal or critical illness or disablement or to meet healthcare costs)
• Trusts holding the benefits from a policy received after the death of the life assured, providing the benefits are paid out from the Trust within two years of the death
For help registering your Trust, watch this video:
In an age where the online world is at our fingertips, why shouldn’t your wealth management be there as well? Our Online Services allow you to access all your wealth investments in one smart place. Whether you’re already registered, or just about to, here are some great features that can help you get the most from your online account.
Registering for Online Services with an activation code allows instant access. If you haven’t got a code, please contact your adviser. Registering online ensures all information is password protected.
Set your communication preferences to receive your digital reports and electronic correspondence.
Make online debit card payment for ISA and any JISA top ups with a debit card
linked to your account, on demand and at a time that suits you. Make payments to Unit Trusts, Retirement Accounts and new ISAs. (Speak to your adviser in order to get this process started) View the value of your investments in a range of currencies and see a breakdown of
this valuation. Instant notifications when a new document is available to view.
For every client opting for paperless correspondence, St. James’s Place will donate £5,to the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
The favourable tax treatment of ISAs may not be maintained in the future and is subject to changes in legislation.
Less well-known is that children can also have a pension fund as soon as they are born – and setting one up can bring significant tax advantages. Even if your child is a non-taxpayer, they will still get basic-rate tax relief on contributions. That means a maximum of £2,880 a year is automatically grossed up to take account of tax at 25%, giving an annual investment of £3,600
