Joshua Farrow - Financial Adviser at Cathedral Wealth Management Limited

26/11/2025

Salary sacrifice and today’s budget….

It looks like this benefit might change and will mean less tax benefits for employees and employers.

If you are undertaking salary sacrifice or your are an employer that offers this, we can talk about your options…

20/11/2025

🚨 Less than a week to go 🚨

Likely to be the most significant fiscal event for businesses in a generation, so we at Wealth Management LTD will be running a Q&A online on Thursday 27th November from 6pm. Details below and on our page.

Facebook Link:
https://fb.me/e/cM47YbTtv

Online Registration Link:
https://luma.com/rz2xyhdd

Cathedral Wealth Management: Post-Budget Online Seminar Thursday 27th November, 6:00pm on Zoom Join Brad Ainsworth, Founding Director of Cathedral Wealth…

18/11/2025

PRA confirms FSCS deposit limit to be increased to £120,000 from 1 December

From the December the Prudential Regulation Authority has confirmed to increase deposit protection limits which applies under the financial services compensation scheme. It has risen from £85,000 - £120,000 meaning more of your funds are protection in the event of what if.

This may of course mean needs to change your deposit holdings to maximise interest and security.

A financial advisor can support here.

14/11/2025

Have you heard the news? 📯

The Treasury has confirmed there are no plans to change the tax-free cash rules on pensions, according to a report in the Telegraph this morning (11 November 2025).

Many providers and advisers have seen increased interest from clients in accessing the tax-free cash lump sum again this year. Last year there were rumours the cash-free lump sum allowance would be slashed, driving requests for withdrawals. The rumour has resurfaced in the run-up to the Autumn Budget this year. In a bid to reassure savers, the Treasury has confirmed this will not form part of the Budget.

It should be noted that for those that have already accessed their tax-free cash it is not possible to return the funds to the pension and unwind any actions already taken. HMRC has confirmed in recent weeks that payments of tax-free cash are not subject to cooling off rules and payment back to the scheme could have significant tax consequences.

This is the value of advice, by taking emotion out of the decision you can save yourself significant tax liabilities.

13/10/2025

What could the Autumn Budget mean for growing SMEs? 🧐

Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget could unveil plenty of changes for business owners. The government has already said it will use the fiscal event on 26 November to deliver an update on reforming business rates.

We can’t predict exactly what chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce in her Autumn Budget, but we can ask some useful “what if” questions and think through possible responses. This is where combining head, heart and hand thinking can help: blending smart strategy, emotional insight and practical action.

For example What if business taxes go up?

Head: Higher corporation tax or changes to National Insurance could eat into the cash you're setting aside for expansion. It’s worth reviewing your financial plans now to see where extra pressure might appear. Could growth still be funded through smart reallocation?

Heart: Tax increases can feel like a step backwards, especially when momentum is building. But staying focused on your longer-term goals - and why you're growing in the first place - can help you stay positive and proactive.

Hand: Talk to an adviser about scenario planning. A few simple adjustments now could keep your growth on track later.

While the Autumn Budget will not satisfy everyone and may provide more questions than answers, it will shape the environment in which your business is operating. Financial Advisors can support you and your business during during these times to ensure all business allowances are maximised, giving you peace of mind.

03/10/2025

I’m proud to announce for the 3rd year in a row, I’ve been voted as one of the top rated financial advisors in the UK.

This is based on client reviews in 2025 an overall score of 4.9/5, very honoured by this recognition.

04/09/2025

Essential guide for business owners: Start with the end in mind – put a shareholder agreement in place today.

When you are starting out in business there are many responsibilities that demand your attention. One that may not seem important in the early days, especially if you get along well with your business partner, is a shareholder agreement. But that’s the ideal time to put one in place.

If you were to find yourself in a situation where you want to exit the business, but your equal shareholder doesn’t want you to, your options are limited.

In any of these scenarios, achieving a resolution can be difficult without a pre-existing agreement outlining how to navigate such deadlocks.

Any form of sale – whether partial or full – needs both shareholders to agree for it to proceed. One shareholder might consider walking away, but that could lead to considerable damage to the business. They could also end up forfeiting the financial reward they have worked so hard for.

A shareholder agreement will leave you in a better position for a smooth and profitable exit.

18/08/2025

Investing - the skill in doing (almost) nothing 🤔

As humans, we’re biologically wired to react when we observe change. Yet when it comes to investing, this is often the opposite of what investors should do. Instead, blocking out this external noise is often the foundation of long-term success.

We’ve never had such easy access to financial news. This is making it harder than ever to block out the noise.

Short-term emotional reactions can have long-term negative consequences for portfolios.

Having a plan can help identify when decisions are driven by emotion rather than facts.

For example if you invest £10,000 in the MSCI World Total Return Index 20 years and stayed fully invest your £10,000 would be worth £66,830. If you missed the 40 best performing days your investment would be worth £13,996

Sometimes the morale of the story is don’t panic.

12/08/2025

Pensions for children? - A Common Response I Get.

Yes you can indeed pay into a pension, when holding initial meetings and in my general networking. I often get the response I didn't know I could put money into a pension for a child or grandchild.

Opening a child’s pension is one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for your child’s long-term future – and it can help mitigate your own Inheritance Tax liability too a possible 40% tax saving.

Only a parent or guardian can set up a pension for a child, but then anyone can contribute.

By starting early, even small contributions to a child’s pension have time to grow, with the power of compounding.

Leaving a future pension to support them or there family in later life. Acorns 🌰 to Oak Trees 🌳

05/08/2025

What's the cost of a comfortable retirement? 🤔

We now have more choice, more flexibility and more personal accountability for our retirement income. But how much do we need to save to feel ‘comfortably off’ once we stop working?

The Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association’s (PLSA) has calculated new figures indicating how much money individuals and couples will need to have a comfortable, moderate or minimum standard of living in retirement.

The important thing to be aware of is, these figures have increased in the past 12 months, and may continue to rise if the cost of living also continues to creep up.

The PLSA’s latest figures, released in February 2025, show that a single person will now need £13,400 a year to achieve the minimum living standard.
They would need £31,700 a year for moderate, and £43,900 a year for a comfortable lifestyle, which includes a two week holiday in Europe and several UK mini breaks.

For couples, the price tag of these three lifestyles is £21,600, £43,900 and £60,000 per annum.

It’s exciting to think what lies ahead after that last day in the office. Financial advisers can give you an idea of what your retirement income will be, based on how much you’re saving, and help you work out an achievable financial plans for your retirement.

30/06/2025

Six ways to leave your business - a guide to SME exits 🤔

As a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) owner in the UK, the decision to exit your business is both a significant milestone and a complex journey. Whether you're dreaming of a restful retirement or new adventures, understanding the variety of exit strategies available to you is essential for a smooth transition.

1. Trade Sale
A full trade sale is the classic breakup. You find a strategic buyer – maybe a rival, maybe a bigger fish – who sees your business as the missing piece of their corporate puzzle. It can be lucrative and feel satisfyingly final.

2. Partial exit
Don’t want to give it all away just yet? A partial sale to an investor (think private equity or growth capital) lets you de-risk and pocket some cash now, while keeping some skin in the game. You might even scale faster with their backing.

3. Management buy-out
Your trusty managers know the ropes – why not let them take the reins? With a Management Buy-Out (MBO), the people running the business already become the ones who own it.

4. Employee ownership trust
Want to leave a legacy? An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) lets you sell the business to your employees via a tax-efficient structure. You get a fair price, they get control, and the business lives on in democratic harmony.

5. Liquidation
Sometimes the cleanest break is the bluntest. If your business has served its purpose, has little resale value, or you just want out now, a solvent liquidation (Members' Voluntary Liquidation MVL) might be your route.

6. Stay owner, hire a boss
Don’t sell at all. Appoint a Managing Director or CEO to run the day-to-day, while you retain ownership and enjoy the dividends. Passive income, no weekly team stand-ups.

The value a financial advisor brings is a financial support structure throught the whole journey and ensure that your business proceeds produce the legacy you aspire for.

19/06/2025

Ensure you never miss a lead all thanks to Stewart and his team. It could be your next big deal

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