Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Independent Financial Advice
We are experienced and well-qualified Independent Financial Advisers, committed to providing professional, friendly, and impartial advice. Our ethos centres on bespoke financial planning, tailored to individual client needs, ensuring every recommendation aligns with personal goals and circumstances. With offices in Devon and Suffolk, we offer nationwide coverage, combining local expertise with a national perspective. Our team of Chartered Financial Planners and certified advisers brings decades of collective experience, supported by efficient administrative teams.We prioritise client-centric service, maintaining rigorous processes to manage portfolios of all sizes with equal dedication. Our independence from product providers ensures unbiased advice, and our partnerships with specialist research firms enhance our investment strategies. We uphold ethical standards, continuous professional development, and community engagement, reflecting our commitment to professionalism and social responsibility.
Services
Retirement Planning
Wealth Management
Inheritance Planning
Financial Protection
Business Owner Insurance
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer bespoke financial planning tailored to individual needs
- Our team holds Chartered status and Fellow qualifications
- We provide independent advice without bias
- We have over 20 years of experience in financial services
- We maintain professional indemnity insurance for client protection
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Chartered Insurance Institute (CII)
- Personal Finance Society (PFS)
What people say
Exceptional expertise
Personalised service
Clear communication
Long-term commitment
Trustworthy advisors
Services
Retirement Planning
We help clients determine retirement readiness, navigate pension options, and create tax-efficient savings strategies. Our expertise includes SIPPs, stakeholder pensions, and ISAs, ensuring tailored solutions for early or delayed retirement. Regular reviews and lifestyling practices safeguard long-term financial security.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management service optimises investment portfolios according to individual risk profiles and financial goals. Using rigorous market research and asset allocation models, we select funds with strong performance metrics while prioritising FSCS-covered products for enhanced client protection and peace of mind.
Inheritance Planning
We specialise in reducing inheritance tax liabilities through strategic asset reallocation and lifetime gifting strategies. Our specialists assess estate values, utilise nil-rate bands, and implement solutions to preserve wealth for beneficiaries while complying with evolving tax regulations.
Financial Protection
We provide comprehensive protection solutions including life assurance, critical illness cover, and income protection. Our advice ensures clients maintain financial stability against unforeseen events, with policies tailored to personal circumstances and budgetary considerations.
For Business Owners
Our business protection services include key person insurance, share protection, and loan cover. We help businesses mitigate financial risks from unexpected events, ensuring continuity through structured insurance solutions and succession planning.
People
Simon Carter
Chair Of Investment Committee and Head of Financial Planning
Simon founded Carter Dawes in 2002 after 14 years at Barclays Bank. He specialises in complex investment strategies and retirement planning, achieving Fellowship status with the Personal Finance Society in 2020. He leads the investment committee and mentors junior advisers.
Mike Dawes
Non Executive Director
With 40 years in financial services, Mike co-founded Carter Dawes after roles at Prudential and Barclays Bank. He focuses on adviser recruitment and compliance, holding the CII Diploma in Financial Planning. He champions charitable initiatives, allocating 1% of turnover to community projects.
Louise Griffin
Chartered Financial Planner
Louise has 35 years' experience, specialising in holistic financial planning across investments, protection, and inheritance tax. A Chartered status holder, she combines technical expertise with client education, serving Devon-based clients from the Honiton office.
Shane Cox
Chartered Financial Planner
Shane specialises in retirement planning and portfolio construction, holding Fellow status with the Personal Finance Society. He excels in simplifying complex financial concepts for clients, focusing on long-term wealth preservation and tax-efficient strategies.
James Dawes
Managing Director and Independent Financial Adviser
James transitioned from Royal Navy aircraft engineering to financial services, pursuing Chartered status. He manages client portfolios while overseeing compliance, combining technical precision with strategic leadership as Managing Director.
Questions
What financial services do you specialise in?
We specialise in retirement planning, wealth management, inheritance tax planning, financial protection, and business owner insurance solutions.
Are you regulated by any financial authorities?
Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference 457006.
How do you tailor financial plans to individual needs?
We conduct detailed fact-finds to understand your circumstances, goals, and risk tolerance before creating bespoke investment and protection strategies.
Can you help with both personal and business financial planning?
Yes, we provide services for individuals and businesses, including key person insurance, share protection, and corporate succession planning.
What qualifications do your advisers hold?
Our team includes Chartered Financial Planners, Personal Finance Society Fellows, and CII-qualified professionals with decades of combined experience.
How often do you review financial plans?
We recommend regular reviews, typically annually, to ensure plans remain aligned with your changing circumstances and market conditions.
Reviews (3)
Tim Harris
Nov 11, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Great company to deal with Sam has been very professional and honest dealing with moving my pension
Great company to deal with Sam has been very professional and honest dealing with moving my pension
Andrew Luckie
Sep 13, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism
We started working with Sam at Carter Dawes last year, and it has been brilliant. From knowing very little about investments, Sam has educated us in an easy to understand and very transparent manner, and has done a great job. Highly recommended.
We started working with Sam at Carter Dawes last year, and it has been brilliant. From knowing very little about investments, Sam has educated us in an easy to understand and very transparent manner, and has done a great job. Highly recommended.
Ian Chatten
Jun 24, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism
A very professional approach to everything they do coupled with a friendly and informative style, which the ordinary man in the street and can understand and appreciate regarding investment strategy.
A very professional approach to everything they do coupled with a friendly and informative style, which the ordinary man in the street and can understand and appreciate regarding investment strategy.
