Argent Wealth

A Message from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, followed by Argent Wealth's best practice article

The ability to listen and learn from one another has always been vital in parliament, in business and in most aspects of daily life. But at this particular moment in time, as national and global events continue to reiterate, it is uncommonly crucial that we forge new channels of communication and reinforce existing ones. The following article from Argent Wealth is an attempt to do just that. We would welcome your thoughts on this or any other Parliamentary Review article.

Rt Hon The Lord David Blunkett, MP

Rt Hon The Lord Eric Pickles, MP

www.argentwealth.co.uk

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

2| ARGENT WEALTH

Managing Director

DavidHardman

Argent Wealth Ltd was established by David Hardman

and his father in 2009. Since then, they have gone on

to become an FTAdviser Top 100 company and currently

advise on £200 million of funds. Through measured expansion,

achieved by recruiting like-minded advisers, they have been able

to grow and develop their practice. In order to keep up to date

with the changing economic and political landscape, they have a

specialist investment research team to identify fruitful investment

plans. David tells

The Parliamentary Review

about the ethos of

the company and what they have planned going forward.

Following my economics studies at bachelor’s and master’s levels, and a period in

the finance industry, I came into the financial services business with my father in

the 1990s. This was a period of learning through various adviser network entities

until we made the decision to go directly regulated with the Financial Conduct

Authority in 2009 and form Argent Wealth Ltd.

After three years, we took the decision to expand the business in what we felt

was a measured way by taking on more like-minded advisers whom I had known

personally for over ten years and operated in the same way as the existing team.

Alongside the advisers is a group of experienced administrators, bringing the total

staff to 15 to date. As well as the head office in Durham, we now have a presence

in Leeds, Stowmarket, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Forward-looking with traditional values

After initially spending a number of years developing our systems and processes, the

efforts have proved fruitful over recent years. The result of this is that our advisers

are able to spend more time with clients, helping them to achieve their objectives.

We continually strive to improve our processes so that each adviser can operate

efficiently. More importantly, the client has clarity over their planning and can

spend more time doing the things that are important to them, as it’s not all about

the money. The system can operate well for all while also encompassing specific

advice and objectives for the client.

No doubt, the changes to the pension regime have resulted in an increase in

consumer-led enquiries over the last few years, but we have also received regular

referrals, whether for clients beginning their investment journeys or those enjoying

their retirement.

We have also benefitted from the way we operate when initial enquiries are made.

With the advent of adviser charging, instead of commission, we welcomed the

opportunity to provide clarity for the client. We believe it has been positive for

client outcomes in driving down charges overall.

AT A GLANCE

ARGENT WEALTH

»Managing Director:

DavidHardman

»Established in 2009

»Based in Durham, Leeds,

Stowmarket, Birmingham and

Glasgow

»Services: Independent financial

advice for private clients,

professionals and business

owners

»No. of employees: 15

»£200 million of funds under

advice

»FTAdviser Top 100 firm

»www.argentwealth.co.uk

Argent Wealth

3ARGENT WEALTH |

BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE

We also believe it is fair that the client

has an opportunity to assess whether

they wish to work with the adviser

and, in that respect, we do offer an

initial analysis service that doesn’t

attract a fee. This kind of service may

be something that other firms regard

as not cost-effective, but we are

looking longer term.

If after analysis the client gains

reassurance that their current planning

is in fact appropriate, then leaving

investments where they are is a good

consumer outcome. If a client can

achieve what they want where they

are, then that is fine and they are

more likely to revisit us when they

need help in the future or refer us to

someoneelse.

There is no right or wrong with this,

as adviser firms operate very well

with different strategies, and it is

positive that the client has this choice

at the outset – something that didn’t

existpreviously.

Innovative investment solutions

At the core of ourbusiness, we also

employ a specialist investment research

team, which has no allegiance to any

investment house or provider.This

teamworks with us to ensurethat we

develop strategies that are designed

to provide dynamic risk-managed

portfolios sourcing real returns.

These portfolios can be used for

various personal and corporate

investment and pension wrappers.

We carefullychoose our investment

partners,review their performance

regularly and holdthem accountable to

deliver such returns.

We also feel that the more traditional

asset-allocation approach, while

potentially diverse, now has further

risks to contend with, given the

ever-changing political and economic

landscape. A fluid and attentive

monitoring process is necessary to try

to cope with such issues.

A natural extension of our business

process is to ensure that the wealth

our clients have built up passes down

effectively to their beneficiaries. As

such, we also work closely with a team

of specialist legal experts who offer

a rangeof real-life solutions for the

protection of wealth, both personal

and business.These solutions are

varied and will depend on the client’s

personalcircumstances but encompass

various trusts for personal funds,

inheritance tax planning and property

protection, as well as the more

common bloodline planning.

Adapting to change

Having been in the financial services

industry for over 25 years, you

become accustomed to change. The

industry itself has to adapt to evolving

circumstances and for those advisers

I have met who remain, I believe

they are committed to long-term

relationships with their clients in order

for all to achieve positive outcomes.

Fluidity, flexibility and diversity, allied

with consistent service, are key to

ensuring that client objectives can be

achieved. We are also big believers in

giving something back and welcome

the opportunity to help to make a real

difference by contributing to a number

of charitable organisations, both large

and small.

I was delighted that the firm achieved

FTAdviser Top 100 status at the

awards ceremony held at the Financial

Times head office. It marked the

culmination of many years’ efforts, and

it was particularly pleasing to receive

recognition for the efforts of everyone

in the group. While very proud, we

will not rest on our laurels and will

continue to strive to maintain and

improve standards where possible to

achieve results for our clients.

We attained FT

Adviser Top 100

Status

We are big

believers in

giving

something

back and

contribute to

a number of

charitable

organisations,

both large and

small

“

www.argentwealth.co.uk

The Parliamentary Review Publication, in which this article originally appeared, contained the following foreword from Rt Hon Michael Gove.

Rt Hon Michael Gove's Foreword For The Parliamentary Review

By Rt Hon Michael Gove

This year's Parliamentary Review comes at a momentous time for parliament, as we collectively determine the destiny of the United Kingdom.

On October 31, the UK will leave the European Union. The successful implementation of this process is this government's number-one priority.

Three years after a historic referendum vote, we will deliver on the decisive mandate from the British people. Trust in our democracy depends on it. Until that final hour, we will work determinedly and diligently to negotiate a deal, one that abolishes the backstop and upholds the warm and close relationship we share with our friends, allies and neighbours in the EU. But in the event that the EU refuses to meet us at the table, we must be prepared to leave without a deal.

As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, it is my job to lead on this government's approach, should that scenario happen. Preparing for Brexit is my department's driving mission. But while I am leading this turbocharged effort, the whole of government is committed to this endeavour.

Ministers across Whitehall are working together to ensure that every possibility is considered, every plan is scrutinised and every provision is made. A daily drumbeat of meetings means that we are holding departments accountable, so that preparations are completed on time.

The chancellor has confirmed that all necessary funding will be made available. And we have mobilised thecivil service, assigning 15,000 of our most talented civil servants to manage our exit from the EU.

We will make sure that on November 1, there is as little disruption to national life as possible. Our trade relationships will continue to thrive, thanks to agreements with countries around the world worth £70 billion. Our country will remain secure, thanks to nearly 1,000 new officers posted at our borders. And the 3.2 million EU nationals now living and working among us can remain confident, with absolute certainty, of their right to remain in the UK.

Above all, our goal is to be transparent. Soon, we will launch a public information campaign so that citizens, communities and businesses are ready and reassured about what will happen in the event of “no deal”.

In my first few weeks in this role, I have travelled to ports and tarmacs, borders and bridges, all across the UK –from the seaside of Dover to the rolling green hills of County Armagh. I have heard from business owners and border officials, farmers and hauliers. They are ready to put an end to uncertainty. And they are ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.

Our departure from the EU will be a once in a lifetime chance to chart a new course for the United Kingdom. Preparing for that new course will be a herculean effort. But this country has made astounding efforts before. We can do it again.

Rt Hon Michael Gove
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster