Paul Francis

Paul Francis has been a practising Independent Financial Adviser for 36 years. Originally trained in accountancy, Paul obtained a BA in Accounts & Finance from Kingston University and was articled for 18 months with a London firm of Chartered Accountants. However, Paul realised that he was looking for something ‘more exciting’ in finance and in October 1982 he decided to pursue a career as a financial adviser in what was at that time a very new industry, not yet even with a Regulatory Body in place.

It certainly was an interesting time, and indeed an exciting one, during which the world was introduced to personal computing in the form of the ‘micro-computer’ and, not too long afterwards, the desktop PC, the laptop, and the World Wide Web.

Paul embraced the power of personal computing from the outset and is self-taught in this art. Armed with this ability and his love of all things mathematical, Paul began early on in his IFA career to develop computer-based problem solving strategies of his own design, which has enabled him over a great many years now to deliver completely unique ‘bespoke’ financial solutions to his clients that are not available from any other adviser firm.

Paul became involved with pensions in 1983 and has specialised in this area ever since. Paul obtained the recognised ‘Pensions Specialist’ G60 qualification in 1999, which licences him to advise on and arrange Pension Transfers from Occupational Defined Benefit Pensions, often more commonly known as ‘final salary’ pensions.

Paul has continued to use his specialist accountancy and tax knowledge, together with his unique computer programming and mathematical abilities, to produce ever more comprehensive financial planning ‘tools’ that are being constantly deployed in the course of the service that he provides to his clients.

Paul has had the pleasure of working with a number of firms and advisers over the past 36 years. From 1990-2001 Paul was a director and co-owner of the London IFA firm Stirling Asset Management Ltd, where he served as Director of Compliance from 1994-1998. From 2009-2017, Paul worked with the National IFA firm Ascot Lloyd, based at its head office in Wokingham Berkshire.

In October 2017, Paul acquired Bespoke Independent Financial Advisers Limited and gave up any thoughts of retirement! We are very excited about the future and look forward to many more years of valuable service to all our clients.

When Paul is not getting excited about his programs, he enjoys swimming, surfing, cycling, playing classical guitar, mycology (searching for tasty mushrooms in the woods!) and most of all, spending time with his family.