The 5 best financial advisors in London who make your money work harder
No matter how hard you hustle, if you don’t plan for the future, all that money can disappear in the blink of an eye. We all know financial literacy is key, but it’s not the easiest thing to master.
Now, imagine having someone on your team who actually knows money—someone who can guide you to hit your financial goals. Sounds pretty great, right? That’s where it starts to feel real and doable.
That’s exactly why we’ve done the legwork and found some of the best financial advisors in London who can help you make it happen. Keep reading to check them out!
| How much do financial advisors charge for their services in London? Financial advisors in London typically charge 1 to 2% of the money they manage or £150 to £200 per hour. This is just an estimate. The final cost depends on the asset managed and the advisor’s pricing experience. Others may charge a fixed fee, ranging from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand. |
1. Humboldt Financial
Address: 33 Queen St Pl
Phone: +44 20 3031 9187
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Humboldt Financial doesn’t just talk about investments. They try to cover the whole picture of someone’s finances. They split planning into three stages: short-term, medium-term, and long-term, which makes things feel organised.
For the short term, they focus on making sure you have enough savings for emergencies. They also ensure you get the right protection insurance and even get a will sorted.
The medium term covers life goals, such as buying a house or a car. It can also include setting aside money for a big trip.
They put a lot of their energy into retirement planning in their long-term stage. We thought their focus on making retirement strategies tax-efficient was one of their biggest strengths. This helps you keep more of your money in the future.
We also like that they’re independent and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated. They don’t get commissions for selling certain products, which makes their advice feel more genuine.
That said, we heard from a client who had an issue with their insurance cover because some medical details weren’t picked up at the start. It ended up causing problems with their policy later.
While they seem reliable from most of the customer feedback, it’s still worth double-checking all your paperwork.
They actioned our wishes quickly
“Since our first introductory meetings, we have been impressed by the service and advice offered by James McNally and Francis Gill at Humboldt. Having explained the strategy in a clear way, they actioned our wishes, which were in line with their recommendations, quickly. James is very responsive to my various questions and is willing to provide his educated opinion when asked. I would totally recommend HF to anyone looking for financial advice, no matter how large or small the question.”
Dipak Duggal, Google review
An incredibly smooth and not at all intimidating experience
“Working with Humboldt Financial to secure my first financial advisor was an incredibly smooth and not at all intimidating experience. My advisor, Ryan, walked me through it all and answered all my questions to make me feel confident with my future planning in terms of pensions and savings. It’s great to know there are advisors out there who want to help people with their growing assets and who are willing to be accessible and take the fear out of the process.”
Richard Le Cocq, Google review
2. First Wealth
Address: 6 Broadstone Pl
Phone: +44 20 7467 2700
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
First Wealth first caught our attention because of their strong reputation. They were named Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year in 2021, which is one of the top awards in their field.
They’re also a B Corp. This means they balance profit with doing good for clients, the environment, and their team.
What we really liked is that their services go beyond the usual wealth management. They also offer financial coaching. It’s not something most firms focus on, and it shows they care about giving people confidence and control, not just managing investments.
When we explored more of their services, their Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) also seems promising.
This helps high earners reduce tax, take money out of their business, and invest in growing companies. It’s a practical way to get more from their wealth.
On the flip side, you have to remember that their fees are higher than many other firms. We find them best suitable for high earners or business owners who want more than just financial advice.
For those who just need straightforward advice, the cost might not feel worth it.
They have advised on the best course of action
“First Wealth has taken time to understand my situation and where I want to go in life over many many years. They have advised on the best course of action, and supported me when things have changed – sometimes planned, and sometimes unexpectedly!
Petra is a diamond – she is both super professional and very personable. I have so appreciated her knowledge and advice.
I have been so pleased with First Wealth that I have recommended them to many of my friends over the years, and they, too, are now engaged with First Wealth.”
Amanda Medler, Google review
Always enlightening at each appointment
“Working with Petra and Kevin at First Wealth was an absolute joy from start to finish. They helped us enormously with great expertise and financial planning to support our future plans, and explained everything in layman’s terms! Always enlightening at each appointment, and Petra particularly brings the most infectious and amazing energy, making numbers and graphs come to life in an extraordinary way! Could not recommend them highly enough.”
Koli Pickersgill, Google review
3. William Street Wealth Management
Address: 30 Lombard St
Phone: +44 20 8042 0455
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
When our team looked into William Street Wealth Management, we really felt how personal their approach to things was. The reason behind this is the advisors themselves.
Clients often mentioned names like Jack and Alex, often, and always in a positive way. Jack was once praised for navigating a complicated situation and finding the best mortgage deal available to a family.
Alex, on the other hand, has built long-term trust with some past clients by tailoring investment plans to their personal goals.
The company also offers a wide range of services under one roof. They cover mortgages, retirement planning, investment advice, and more. For families who want a single team to look after different financial needs, they’re a pretty strong choice.
That said, they’re connected to St. James’s Place (SJP), which is both a strength and a weakness.
Yes, it gives them access to a big network and resources, but that also means they’re limited to SJP’s range. On the other hand, independent advisors can search the whole market for products.
We couldn’t be happier with the service we received from Jack!
“We couldn’t be happier with the service we received from Jack! He has seen us through two product transfers during times of uncertainty in the market when our options were limited. Jack went above and beyond to secure the best possible deal for our situation, which was a tricky one considering we had recently immigrated to the UK! It truly felt like Jack had our best interests at heart from start to finish.
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, professional, and highly competent mortgage advisor, we can’t recommend Jack enough.”
Luke Worster, Google review
Alex makes financial advice easy to understand
“Been working with Alex for years, continuing to send a lot of clients his way as I always receive great feedback. Alex makes financial advice easy to understand and provides a great service to all my clients at their varying levels. Highly recommend him and the team.”
Perry Nelson, Google review
4. Off Piste Wealth
Address: Off Piste Wealth Ltd, The Clubhouse, 8 St James’s Square
Phone: +44 1732 500069
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Off Piste Wealth is an independent financial advising company, so they don’t have a limited set of products. They look across the whole market to find options that fit you best.
They have a range of products they cover. If you want straightforward products like pensions or investment funds, they have them. But they also deal with more specialist options like venture capital trusts (VCTs), EIS, and Sharia-compliant investments.
We think this makes them a good fit for people with more specific goals or who want something beyond the basics.
We also liked how they handle existing investments. They take the time to review what you already have. If something is already doing its job, they’ll suggest keeping it.
A past client praised David, one of their advisors, for exactly this: he recommended leaving some assets as they were while making smart changes to pensions.
When it comes to costs, we appreciate their transparency. Their minimum fee is £1,000, which can feel high if you’re just starting out with a small amount to invest. But for people with larger sums, the fees are competitive for their service offered.
The report I received was very comprehensive and clear
“David at Off Piste Wealth has provided excellent service and advice. This is the first time I’ve had financial advice, but I was deeply reassured by how much time David spent understanding my situation, appetite for risk and objectives. The report I received was very comprehensive and clear. I appreciated the balance in David’s advice – one of my assets we left where it was, but I was glad to take the advice of moving most of my pensions and my ISA so they are working harder for me in the years to come! Strongly recommended.”
Daniel Acquah, Google review
What seemed initially to be a daunting task was smoother than expected
“It’s been great working with David. I’ve been on a journey to becoming more financially literate, and David has done a great job in helping me there, but also in organising my finances. What seemed initially to be a daunting task was smoother than expected due to David’s expertise and clear advice. Would definitely recommend.”
Sandeep Kang, Google review
5. Castell Wealth Management
Address: 30 Lombard St
Phone: +44 20 8042 2998
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Our team was really impressed with how Castell Wealth Management focuses on helping their clients understand their finances. Their advisors act as educators, and they really make complex topics easier to grasp.
Clients have always praised advisors like James and Tom for checking in regularly and keeping them on track toward their goals.
We also noticed how they keep client numbers low, so each person gets focused attention. For us, this makes the relationship feel more like a partnership than a transaction. They also create plans tailored to your life and goals, which we appreciate.
Another big strength is their expertise in handling complicated situations. Business owners, pension transfers, or tax planning needs are all areas where they provide practical solutions.
Yes, their partnership with SJP adds extra security and access to strong investment resources. The downside is, they can only offer SJP’s products.
While these are high-quality options, it also means clients who want a wider range of investments outside of SJP might have fewer choices.
The team is responsive, knowledgeable and flexible
“James was recommended to me a long while ago now. I couldn’t be happier with the advice and help from James, which has ensured that I am meeting my financial goals. The service is A+ rated, the team is responsive, knowledgeable and flexible. I have never had any problems and will continue to work with them for a very long time. Very highly recommended.”
Darron Gibbard, Google review
I couldn’t be happier to have chosen to work with Castell Wealth
“James was recommended to me, and a couple of informative conversations with him inspired my savings journey. I couldn’t be happier to have chosen to work with Castell Wealth towards my financial goals. The service is top-notch, the team is responsive, knowledgeable and flexible with regard to one’s needs.”
Silvia L., Google review