Toby Winyard
I started my working life at 18 in London and have worked in a corporate environment for the last 25 years including a period where I ran my own business. What got me into my current role was encouragement from my own financial adviser.
I have a real passion for the subject and derive huge satisfaction from making a very tangible difference in respect of the individuals and businesses I work with.
I specialise in helping business owners from self-employed individuals through to company directors and entrepreneurs. Whilst I might be engaged to discuss various investment opportunities what I have found is that in many circumstances the first impact I can make is how, with perhaps some minor adjustments, I can improve the tax efficiency of the business operation. It is surprising how many times you find that a well run business will not have maximised the tax arrangements of either the business or of their own situation.
We do this by agreeing what the main priorities are, agreeing a plan around how the changes identified are to be implemented and then agreeing how this plan is monitored and adapted over time. The immediate impact of this is that I am able to reduce the weight that many business owners carry on their shoulders and in respect of their financial needs leaving them more time to concentrate on the business they run.
As someone reminded me, we don’t know what we don’t know and the best way to protect against this situation is to work with individuals who can fill in these missing gaps. So, I employ my accountant to ensure all of my books are in order, I employ my staff because of their expertise in their own areas and equally people rely on me for my experience and expertise. The difference is measurable.
Toby Winyard
Outside of work, I am a family man who loves nothing more than spending time in the great outdoors, camping, walking and backpacking with my wife and two sons. We frequently try and get away to places such as the Gower Peninsula – arguably one of the best beaches in the world, but a bucket list experience would have to be visiting South America and hiking the Andes – one day!
In my spare time, I enjoy golf, clay pigeon shooting, hiking and spending as much time outside as possible! Give me a kitchen and I can manage baked beans on toast, give me a barbecue or a or a campfire and I will soon rustle up Moroccan tagine or coffee beef stew for ten!
Later Life Planning
This is an area that I get more questions than any other and is a source of worry for many clients. Effective planning and knowing the options really helps put minds at rest.
Retirement Planning
Formulating a plan with my clients and letting them see how planning ahead can help them to achieve their goals is always a very gratifying part of my work.
Business Owners and Executives
Business owners and higher net earners often have very different challenges and these need managing to suit the clients longer term aims. Tax efficiency is paramount, and planning for disposal of assets, selling the business and planning around the family are all very important. Time is not often a luxury you have. It is my job to simplify, give you the advice and information needed to make a decision and present this using visual tools such as cashflow planning. Then I manage things moving forwards to fit around your needs.
First-time Investors
I love breaking down misconceptions, explaining concepts and seeing those “light bulb” moments when it starts to click for any new investors. To see clients of all ages suddenly become engaged and focused, and start working towards goals, is the very best part of my job. I wish I had received the same help when I was younger and am determined to help others avoid my mistakes.
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.
I was recommended to Toby and haven’t looked back! Having previously engaged with another adviser I didn’t get the ‘vibe’ from so decided to reassess, I was glad I did! A friend told me about this guy who is honest, approachable, and pragmatic so I asked him to get Toby to call me. 24 hours later Toby was on the phone and from the first engagement I knew I was getting sound advice. We quickly met up, talked about what I was trying to achieve, and Toby nailed it – He got what I was trying to do, challenged my thinking which sparked a healthy discussion and 4 months in we are rocking!! The support from Toby and Philippa (Keeps Toby in check!!) has been first class and I couldn’t recommend Toby enough. Top guy, knowledgeable, personable and does what he says he is going to do, well worth a call.
Toby has helped consolidate pensions, find pensions I forgot about and challenged my thinking around inheritance – The presentation of the numbers, pragmatic approach is refreshing, why didn’t I do it earlier! Great experience with short, snappy discussions to get the desired outcome and look forward to our next conversation!First class service
I didn’t need a financial adviser. I didn’t have any money to invest, and I’m not interested in ISAs, stocks, or shares. I had a will which would ensure my estate was equally shared between the kids, and I was happy I had everything in place. Or so I thought.
My first meeting with Toby, to look at what I had in place, was a real eye opener. First, he didn’t try and sell me anything, and secondly, he didn’t try and get me to invest in someone or something I’d never heard of.
But what he did do, was listen, get to know us as a family, get to understand our financial commitments, and helped us to look into the future in respect of a feasible retirement age, based on our current income and expenditure. All this on an amazing chart and graph producing app.
Toby also opened my eyes to the fact that the will that I had painstakingly completed forms for, online, and handed over my £100 to a solicitor in Cheshire, was not worth the virtual paper it was written on.
Not only would I not have any doubts referring friends and family to Toby, but I would also actively encourage them to meet with him to see how, not if, he can help.
Thank you Toby, you are indeed a VouchedFor Top Rated Adviser of 2023.
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.
I’m super proud to be included on the @VouchedFor Sunday Times list for the first time. This is based on reviews from my clients, so thank you to all of you who have given me great feedback.
As an Accredited Financial Education Specialist, sanctioned by St. James's Place, I work alongside schools to help deliver important money workshops and presentations to young people.
