Business Details
41 Years
experience
Independent Financial Advisers in Preston
Established in 1985, Fernleigh Wearden has built a reputation as a trusted family-run financial advisory firm. Our team of three highly qualified advisers brings over 70 years of combined experience in financial services, specialising in holistic, unbiased advice across all areas of financial planning. As an independent, whole-of-market firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we prioritise understanding clients' unique aspirations to create tailored financial strategies. Our approach combines deep industry expertise with a commitment to transparency, ensuring clients receive solutions aligned with their personal and financial goals.We maintain strong ethical standards through our FCA authorisation and adherence to rigorous professional qualifications, including pension transfer specialisms and advanced diplomas in financial planning. Our long-standing client relationships, some spanning decades, reflect our dedication to delivering consistent, client-focused service that adapts to evolving needs while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism.
Services
Investments & Tax Planning
Retirement & Pensions
Company Pensions
Auto-enrolment
Protection
Life Cover
Mortgage Protection
Critical Illness
Income Protection
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We have three qualified advisers with over 70 years combined industry experience
- We operate as fully independent, whole-of-market financial advisers
- Our FCA regulation ensures adherence to strict professional standards
- We specialise in pension transfers and complex financial planning
- We maintain long-term client relationships with some clients for over 30 years
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
What people say
Excellent and personal service
Highly recommended
Prompt and timely advice
Knowledgeable and approachable
Caring and considerate manner
Services
Investments & Tax Planning
We provide comprehensive investment advice tailored to your risk tolerance and financial goals. Our services include recommending ISAs, unit trusts, and investment bonds while considering tax efficiency. Our FCA-regulated advisers help clients navigate investment options with transparent fee structures, ensuring solutions match both current needs and future aspirations.
Retirement & Pensions
Specialising in pension reviews and retirement planning, we help clients optimise their pension arrangements. Our services cover personal pensions, final salary schemes, and company pension transfers. With pension transfer specialists on staff, we provide expert guidance on complex decisions while maintaining focus on long-term retirement objectives and regulatory compliance.
Company Pensions
We assist businesses with pension scheme selection and auto-enrolment requirements. Our services include evaluating existing arrangements, recommending suitable providers, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. We provide tailored solutions for companies of all sizes, with pricing structures starting from 500 for small businesses with fewer than five employees.
Protection
Our protection services cover life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection policies. We help clients assess their protection needs through comprehensive reviews, offering independent advice on policies that provide financial security for families and businesses. Our fee structure offers flexibility with options for commission-based or fixed-fee arrangements starting at 750.
Financial Planning
We deliver holistic financial planning services that integrate investment management, pension strategies, and protection planning. Our approach focuses on understanding clients' life goals to create comprehensive financial roadmaps. With three qualified advisers holding advanced diplomas and specialist credentials, we provide expert guidance on wealth management and long-term financial security.
People
Paul Wearden
Founder & Financial Adviser
With over 40 years in financial services, Paul established the firm in 1985. He holds the Diploma in Financial Planning and specialises in pension transfers. A lifelong Preston resident, he combines professional expertise with local market knowledge.
Mark Wearden
Financial Adviser
Joining in 2013, Mark brings specialist pension transfer qualifications and prior industry experience. He holds the Fellowship of the Personal Finance Society and focuses on business financial planning while maintaining active client relationships.
Daniel Wearden
Financial Adviser
Daniel joined in 2023 after a banking career, bringing fresh perspectives to financial planning. He holds the Diploma in Financial Advice and specialises in mortgage and protection advice, combining technical expertise with client-focused service.
Alison Wearden
Office Manager
Alison manages daily operations and client communications. With extensive administrative experience, she ensures smooth office functioning and provides essential support to the advisory team while maintaining client relationships.
Questions
What financial services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive financial advice including investments, pensions, retirement planning, protection insurance, and company pension schemes with independent, whole-of-market recommendations.
Are you regulated by any official body?
Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring adherence to strict professional standards and client protections.
How do you charge for your services?
We use transparent fee structures including initial advice fees starting at £750, ongoing management charges at 0.75% annually, and business pension setup from £500.
Can you help with pension transfers?
Yes, we have specialist qualifications for pension transfers, particularly final salary schemes, with experienced advisers who can evaluate your specific circumstances.
Do you offer home visits?
Yes, we provide flexible meeting options including home visits to discuss your financial plans and goals at your convenience.
How experienced is your team?
Our three advisers have over 70 years combined experience with advanced qualifications including Fellowships and Diplomas in Financial Planning.
Reviews (4)
Danny Andrews
Aug 05, 2019
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Mark is a trustworthy, diligent professional that gave me fantastic clear finanical advice, he and paul both went the extra mile to help me, thankyou i definitely recommend.
Mike Clay
Jan 22, 2018
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Fernleigh Wearden & Co Financial Service
Both Sue and I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for all the financial planning and advice you have undertaken for us over the past 30 years. The expertise and attention to detail with which, you Paul, and lately Mark have handled our financial affairs could not be faulted. Particularly reassuring to us is our feeling of certainty in the absolute integrity and commitment of all our dealings. It is really refreshing to work with financial adviser's who are truly interested in their client's needs, circumstances
Both Sue and I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks for all the financial planning and advice you have undertaken for us over the past 30 years. The expertise and attention to detail with which, you Paul, and lately Mark have handled our financial affairs could not be faulted. Particularly reassuring to us is our feeling of certainty in the absolute integrity and commitment of all our dealings. It is really refreshing to work with financial adviser's who are truly interested in their client's needs, circumstances
Pauline Phillips
Oct 20, 2017
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After a recent bereavement I needed to rely on Mark to give me advice on a number of financial issues. This he did,not only in his usual professional way, giving me sound,clear and concise advice, but also in a caring and considerate manner that I appreciated at that difficult time. Thank you Mark and Paul for everything you have done. I would defiately recommend Fernleigh Wearden & Co.
Glenda Dobie
Aug 21, 2017
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Fernleigh Wearden & Co have been helping me to make decisions about my finances for many years now. What I like is that they are a friendly, approachable, family business. The advice I receive is prompt, timely, individual to me and is flexible as my circumstances change. Paul and Mark are very knowledgeable, yet explain things to me in simple, clear and practical terms to enable me to make my own choices and decisions. No pressure, nothing complicated, no worries.
Glenda Fox, Registered General Nurse, Registered Health Visitor.
Glenda Fox, Registered General Nurse, Registered Health Visitor.
