Wealth & Finance Finance Awards 2015

www.wealthandfinance-intl.com 27 Annandale Financial Services LLP Most Respected FA Practice - Scotland Annandale was founded in 1977 by industry professionals who believed in both hard work and providing a highly per- sonalised service. Although the company has expanded slightly, and personnel have changed, the same ethos remains to this day. Company: Annandale Financial Services LLP Name: John Coutts Email: [email protected] Web address: www.annandalefinancial.co.uk Address: 62-64 Buccleuch Street Dumfries, DG1 2AA Telephone: 01387 267523 Even though our region of Dumfries and Galloway is a rural area, we cater for clients from all walks of life, where we deliver a highly personalised service and take into account their specific needs and expectations. Our clients are based worldwide and distance is no object for us. Many of our transactions with overseas customers are carried out using the latest technology, which allows us to conduct face to face interviews and discuss matters of great personal importance. A true testament to the success of Annandale is that we find no sig- nificant need to advertise, other than having a presence in The Yellow Pages. A combination of word of mouth and some very active profes- sional introducers have meant that our time is spent solely focussing on existing clients rather than pursuing new ones. Nonetheless, new clients are always very welcome! Our Independent status means that we retain access to many compa- nies for all of the services we provide, including pensions, investments, insurance, mortgages and much more. Our independence also means that we can retain an open mind to all opportunities and possibilities going forward, and accept that change is constant. We also feel well equipped for the challenges ahead as inevitably, governments make alterations to investment, taxation and pension rules on a regular basis. As a firm we are always conscious of change, both within the industry and our clients. One of the main issues is the ever ageing population and the need for longer term planning. We know that our clients’ money will need to be made to last longer and they will increasingly need advice. There are some innovative new products out there and with the choice expanding, advice from qualified advisers is essential. Annandale service levels ensure our clients have access to people who are abreast of the changes and can assist in making the right decisions. Regular diarised reviews are carried out on investments, and we send our clients regular reports inviting them into our office which has a high street presence for meetings with their own dedicated adviser. In terms of our culture, everyone working at Annandale Financial Services is expected to remain with us for the long term. We believe that this longevity is of great benefit, as our friendly administrators really get to know our clients well with regular contact. In return, our clients often remark how pleasant it is to deal with Annandale. Looking further ahead, Annandale Financial Services is well placed to continue to provide service to each of our clients. Rather than compar- ing ourselves with other firms, we strive to set the highest standards we can achieve, believing this is the best approach. It’s certainly worked for the last 38 years.