Shaping the future you dream of
Your business and personal finances should work together
As a business owner, your company may be your income, your most valuable asset and an important part of your retirement plan.
But what would happen if you—or another person central to the business—could no longer work? Are you making purposeful plans for the wealth the business is creating? And do you know whether your current pension and investments are likely to support the future you want?
We provide clear, personalised advice designed around both sides of your financial life: protecting the business today and planning your personal future.
Protect your business. Build your personal wealth.
Folan Brookes provides joined-up financial advice to help protect the business you have built, grow your personal wealth and prepare for the future with confidence.
Whether you are growing your company, planning for retirement or beginning to think about life after the business, Folan Brookes Financial Consultants can help you bring your business and personal financial plans together.
Book a no-obligation consultation or call 01865 339640
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back the original amount invested.
Key person protection
Some people are fundamental to the success of a business. Their knowledge, leadership, relationships or specialist skills may be difficult to replace—and their unexpected absence could affect revenue, client confidence and day-to-day operations.
Key person protection is designed to provide the business with a financial payment if an insured individual dies or is diagnosed with a specified critical illness during the policy term. The proceeds could help the company manage lost profits, meet ongoing commitments, recruit a replacement or create valuable breathing space while the business adapts.
We can help you identify the people on whom your business depends, assess the potential financial impact of losing them and recommend cover suited to the needs of the company.
Shareholder protection
The death or serious illness of a shareholder can create uncertainty for everyone involved. The remaining owners may want to retain control of the company, while the affected shareholder or their family may need to realise the value of their shares.
Shareholder protection can provide funds that may allow the remaining shareholders to purchase those shares, subject to the arrangements in place. This can help support business continuity, reduce the risk of shares passing to an unintended third party and enable the departing shareholder or their beneficiaries to receive an agreed value.
We can work with you and your professional advisers to consider the appropriate level of cover and how the protection may complement your company’s shareholder agreements and succession plans.
Partnership protection
A business partnership can be particularly vulnerable if one partner dies or becomes seriously ill. The remaining partners may face the financial pressure of purchasing the affected partner’s interest while continuing to meet the everyday demands of the business.
Partnership protection can provide funds that may help the remaining partners buy the affected partner’s share, subject to the terms of the agreement. This can provide greater certainty for the business while helping the partner or their beneficiaries receive value for their interest.
We can help you explore the financial consequences of losing a partner and put appropriate protection in place to support both the continuity of the business and the people behind it.
Turn business success into personal financial security
Building a successful company is only part of the picture. You also need a plan for converting that success into the lifestyle and long-term security you want.
Our financial planning service can help you consider:
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Personal pension and retirement planning
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Investment planning
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Existing pension and investment reviews
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Cashflow forecasting
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Planning for a future business exit
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Providing for your family and the next generation
We start with your goals—not a financial product. We then build a plan around your circumstances, priorities, timescale and attitude to risk.
See what your future could look like
Cashflow planning can help you explore important questions such as:
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When could I afford to step back from the business?
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Am I saving enough for retirement?
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What might happen if I sell the company earlier or later than planned?
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Could my family remain financially secure if something happened to me?
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How much flexibility do I have to invest or take income?
Your plan can then be reviewed as your business, personal circumstances and priorities change.
Advice for every stage of business ownership
Growing the business
​Protect key people, review personal financial arrangements and begin building wealth outside the company.
Established and profitable
​Bring pensions, investments and protection together within a more structured long-term plan.
Preparing for an exit
​Understand what you may need from the business, assess your future income requirements and start planning well before a potential sale or succession.
Why business owners choose Folan Brookes
1
Joined-up advice
​Protection, pensions, investments and personal financial planning considered together.
2
Clear and approachable
We explain your options in straightforward language so you can make informed decisions.
Our aim is to make financial planning straightforward while building client relationships that last.
3
Preparing for an exit
Based in Summertown, we advise business owners in Oxford, across Oxfordshire and beyond.
Folan Brookes is a family-run financial advice firm with more than 30 years’ combined experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What protection should a business owner consider?
​This depends on the company’s ownership, financial commitments and reliance on particular people. Key person, shareholder and partnership protection may all be relevant. A review can identify the risks and appropriate priorities.
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Can you advise on both my business and personal finances?
​Yes. We can consider business protection alongside personal pensions, investments, retirement planning and wider financial goals.
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When should I start planning for a business exit?
Ideally, planning should begin several years before a possible sale or succession. Starting early gives you more time to understand your future financial needs and address gaps in your personal arrangements.
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Can you review my existing pensions and investments?
Yes. We can assess whether your existing arrangements remain suitable for your objectives, timescale and attitude to risk.
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Do you provide ongoing advice?
​Yes. Financial planning is not a one-off exercise. Regular reviews can help keep your plan aligned with changes in your business, personal circumstances and objectives.​
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Contact us
Build a plan for your business and your future
You have worked hard to create value in your business. We can help you protect it and make considered plans for the wealth it creates.
Contact Folan Brookes Financial Consultants to arrange a no-obligation initial consultation.