Business Details
48 Years
experience
Independent Financial Advisers in Tunbridge Wells
Established in 1978, we are a family-run financial advisory practice committed to delivering independent, client-centric solutions. With over four decades of experience, we specialise in addressing complex financial planning needs for clients managing assets of 250,000 or more. Our approach prioritises understanding individual circumstances, aspirations, and risk profiles to create tailored financial roadmaps. We focus on retirement planning, pension optimisation, investment strategy, and mortgage advisory services, supported by cutting-edge tools like Voyant for financial forecasting.Our values of transparency, simplicity, and long-term relationship-building guide every interaction, ensuring clients receive honest advice without industry jargon. As Chartered Financial Planners, we maintain rigorous professional standards while treating every client with the care and respect we would extend to family members. Regular plan reviews and proactive adjustments ensure strategies evolve alongside changing personal circumstances and market conditions.
Services
Financial Planning
Pension Advice
Investment Management
Mortgage Solutions
Business Protection
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer 47 years of experience in independent financial advisory services
- Our family-run approach prioritises client relationships over corporate targets
- Tailored financial roadmaps for clients managing 250,000+ in assets
- Chartered Financial Planners utilise advanced Voyant financial forecasting tools
- No-obligation initial consultations with obligation-free reviews
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
What people say
Good advice
Saved money
Genuine commitment
Knowledgeable team
Flexible mortgage
Services
Financial Planning
We create custom financial roadmaps addressing retirement goals, investment strategies, and long-term security. Our process begins with comprehensive consultations to understand individual circumstances, followed by tailored recommendations using advanced forecasting tools. Regular reviews ensure plans adapt to evolving personal needs and market conditions, helping clients achieve financial clarity and confidence in their future.
Pension Advice
Our specialists develop retirement strategies optimising pension pots while minimising tax liabilities. We assess current provisions, recommend enhancements, and implement solutions aligned with lifestyle goals. Services include state pension maximisation, drawdown planning, and inter-generational wealth transfer strategies, ensuring clients can transition into retirement with financial security and flexibility.
Investment Management
We construct diversified investment portfolios tailored to risk profiles and financial objectives. Our approach combines market analysis with personal circumstance evaluation to optimise returns while managing volatility. Regular performance reviews and strategic adjustments ensure investments remain aligned with evolving goals, whether preserving wealth, generating income, or funding specific life milestones.
Mortgage Solutions
Our dedicated adviser provides mortgage guidance for first-time buyers, remortgaging, and property investors. We assess affordability, compare market options, and negotiate terms suited to individual circumstances. Services extend to buy-to-let financing, self-build mortgages, and protection insurance integration, ensuring clients secure optimal home financing solutions with minimal stress.
Business Protection
We help business owners mitigate financial risks through tailored protection strategies. Services include key person insurance, partnership protection, and contingency planning for unexpected events. Our approach safeguards business continuity during crises while ensuring owners maintain financial stability through comprehensive risk management frameworks aligned with company objectives.
People
John Hitchell
Founder
Established the practice in 1978 after leaving corporate banking. Pioneered client-centric financial advice, creating lasting relationships that continue through subsequent generations of clients.
James Hitchell
Chartered Financial Planner
Continues family legacy with over 25 years' experience. Specialises in complex retirement planning and investment strategy, maintaining his father's commitment to personalised client care and financial integrity.
Richard Hitchell
Chartered Financial Planner
Focuses on inter-generational wealth transfer and business protection planning. Combines technical expertise with relationship-building approach to deliver sustainable financial solutions for corporate and private clients.
Rob Freeman
Mortgage & Protection Adviser
Specialises in residential and buy-to-let mortgage solutions. Helps clients navigate complex financing options while integrating protection strategies to safeguard investments against unforeseen circumstances.
Louisa
Practice Manager
Oversees daily operations and client relations. Ensures seamless service delivery across all advisory areas, maintaining the practice's reputation for exceptional client support and organisational excellence.
Questions
What financial planning services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive services including retirement planning, investment management, mortgage advice, and business protection tailored to individual circumstances and financial goals.
How do you charge for financial advice?
We use transparent fee structures: initial consultations are free, implementation fees are percentage-based on invested funds, and ongoing service fees apply to managed assets.
Can you help with mortgage applications?
Yes, our dedicated mortgage adviser offers personalised guidance for first-time buyers, remortgaging, and property investors, with access to the entire market.
What areas do you cover?
Primarily serving Tunbridge Wells and Kent, we offer remote advisory services to clients across the UK with complex financial planning needs.
How often are financial plans reviewed?
We recommend annual reviews, with additional check-ins available whenever significant life changes or market shifts occur to ensure plan relevance.
Are you regulated by financial authorities?
Yes, we operate as an appointed representative of 2plan Wealth Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference 211675).
Reviews (6)
Hannah Pedley
Apr 18, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness,Value
Robert and his PA Janet were incredible during our recent house purchase. Polite, professional and incredibly responsive as well as reassuring and patient with our never ending questions! Can't thank them enough and would highly recommend.
Robert and his PA Janet were incredible during our recent house purchase. Polite, professional and incredibly responsive as well as reassuring and patient with our never ending questions! Can't thank them enough and would highly recommend.
Sam William
Dec 27, 2018
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Hitchell Financial Planning have provided us with a fantastic service from start to finish. Sarah arranged a fixed rate mortgage on our property, not only did she keep us regularly informed and make the whole process so much simpler than it would have been arranging it ourselves, she found us better deal than anything we could find elsewhere. In fact, the deal she found us was with a bank that couldnt match it when we went to them directly. Richard has also found us a great small investment that met our requirements. How much risk we wanted to take was judged carefully and Richard took the time
Ian Denyer
Oct 07, 2017
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We have been very satisfied with the careful and helpful advice provided by Richard and the professional manner in which business has been transacted.
Laura Bignell
Aug 10, 2017
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I just wanted to say how fantastic Sarah Bird has been, As first time buyers she has taken the whole stress out of what is meant to be one of the most stressful times. Nothing was to much for her and she was extremely prompt and getting back to us with advise and answers to our many questions. I cant thank Sarah enough for the support and guidance she has given us and we will certainly be using Hitchells again for future protection cover and mortgage advise. I will 100% be recommended Hitchells/Sarah to all my friends and family - absolutely fantastic service.
Ben Sunderland
Jul 28, 2017
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James gave me some really useful and interesting advice, which should help develop further, well done !!
Dave Owen
Nov 08, 2016
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An excellent group of financial advisors,
They saw us through the process of buying our first house and would fully recommend them to anyone.
They saw us through the process of buying our first house and would fully recommend them to anyone.
