Chartered Financial Planners Stephanie Clark APFS and Fiona Sharp APFS have begun a partnership with fellow planner Steve Buttercase. Their business is called Verve.
Ms Clark and Ms Sharp, formerly of Almary Green in Norwich, are both Resolution (Family Law Society) Accredited divorce specialists. They are among only 42 such qualified advisers in the UK.
Mr Buttercase specialises in investments and is working towards Chartered Financial Planner status.
Below: Fiona Sharp
Below: Stephanie Clark
Below: Steve Buttercase
Ms Sharp told Financial Planning Today: “We are three sole traders, each with individual FCA numbers, but we share a brand name - unusual we know. But we, for various reasons, did not want to go down the combined limited company or partnership route. But this set-up is fine as we can locum for each other.”
As for their targets for the new business, she said: “We have no major goals, we just want to stay independent, and look after our long standing clients quietly, consistently and compliantly. Simple as that. We are not in the market for oodles of new client work, and we turn a lot away.
“With many firms selling out, setting up on our own was the only way to protect ourselves from such a sale where we have no control of our destinies. We are part of In Partnership (network), as we felt that they were a very good match for our business and our outlook. It has proven to be that way as they have been very supportive. We are all experienced and have known each other for years. We bounce ideas off each other, and we trust each other.”
As Chartered Financial Planners, Ms Sharp was asked what she made of the recent debate on which title is more valuable – Chartered or Certified.
She said: “We use cashflow planning software and we are not really into the Chartered v Certified debate. We are, of course, very proud to be Chartered - and it is beneficial as it is a well recognised kitemark - but all 3 of us are prouder of hopefully doing a good job for our clients who we are very committed to.”
Asked what they have learnt in their careers to date that will help shape their business, Ms Sharp said: “To be true to our clients first, and to ourselves. The rest will come along.
“Treat people as you would be treated yourselves. If you can’t do it - say no, but say it with a smile and try and offer/find alternative help. Don’t burn your bridges- you never know when someone might pop up again.”