Disclosures
Last updated: December 15, 2024
Clearcastle is committed to transparency. This page provides important disclosures about our firm, services, and the regulatory framework under which we operate. Please read these disclosures carefully before engaging our services.
1. Firm Information
Legal Name: Clearcastle Limited
Trading Name: Clearcastle
Registered Address: [Company Address], United Kingdom
Company Registration: [Registration Number]
2. Regulatory Status
Clearcastle is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the provision of investment advice and related services.
FCA Reference Number: [FCA Number]
Permissions: Advising on investments, Arranging deals in investments, Making arrangements with a view to transactions in investments
You can verify our regulatory status on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk
3. Services We Provide
We provide independent financial advice on the following areas:
- Investment Planning: Portfolio construction, asset allocation, and investment selection across the whole of market
- Retirement Planning: Pension consolidation, drawdown strategies, annuity advice, and retirement income planning
- Inheritance Tax Planning: Estate planning strategies, trust advice, and tax-efficient wealth transfer
- Cross-Border Financial Planning: Advice for UK expats, particularly those living in or moving to Spain
As independent advisers, we are able to recommend products from across the entire market and are not restricted to any particular provider or product range.
4. Fee Structure
Clearcastle operates on a fee-only basis. This means:
- We do not receive commissions from product providers
- Our fees are paid directly by you, the client
- We have no financial incentive to recommend any particular product
Our fees are structured as follows:
Initial Advice Fee
A fixed fee or percentage of assets under advice, agreed in advance before work begins. Typical range: 1-3% of assets or fixed fee from £1,500.
Ongoing Service Fee
An annual fee for ongoing advice, typically 0.5-1% of assets under management, or a fixed annual retainer.
Hourly Advice
For specific queries or ad-hoc advice, charged at our hourly rate (available on request).
Full fee details will be provided in our Client Agreement before you commit to any services.
5. Conflicts of Interest
We have policies and procedures in place to identify and manage conflicts of interest. Key points:
- We do not accept commission payments from product providers
- We do not receive volume-based incentives or bonuses from any platform or provider
- Where a conflict cannot be avoided, we will disclose it to you before proceeding
- Our advisers are required to disclose any personal holdings or relationships that could create a conflict
6. Client Categorisation
Under FCA rules, we are required to categorise our clients. Unless we inform you otherwise, you will be treated as a "Retail Client." This affords you the highest level of regulatory protection. If we propose to treat you as a different category (Professional Client or Eligible Counterparty), we will explain this to you and obtain your consent.
7. Complaints Procedure
We are committed to providing excellent service. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, please contact us:
Email: complaints@clearcastle.com
Post: Complaints Officer, Clearcastle, [Company Address]
We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and aim to resolve it within 8 weeks. If you remain dissatisfied, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service:
Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR
Phone: 0800 023 4567
Website: financial-ombudsman.org.uk
8. Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
We are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet our obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim.
Investment advice: Up to £85,000 per person per firm
Further information is available from the FSCS at fscs.org.uk
9. Risk Warnings
Important Investment Risks
- Capital at Risk: The value of investments can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invest.
- Past Performance: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
- Currency Risk: If you invest in assets denominated in a currency other than your own, exchange rate movements may affect the value of your investment.
- Tax Treatment: Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future.
- Pension Access: Pension money is normally only accessible from age 55 (rising to 57 from 2028).
We will provide you with specific risk warnings relevant to any products or investments we recommend before you proceed.
10. Professional Indemnity Insurance
We maintain professional indemnity insurance in accordance with FCA requirements. Details of our insurers are available on request.
11. Data Protection
We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. For full details on how we handle your personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these disclosures, please contact us:
Clearcastle
Email: hello@clearcastle.com
Phone: +44 20 1234 5678