What we stand for

What makes a great financial adviser? Qualifications? Knowledge? Someone who explains things clearly, without bamboozling you with jargon? Great personal service? Strength and scale to protect you from risk? We believe it is all these things and more.  

At Ginkgo Financial, we’re committed to:

Expertise

Ginkgo is led by Daren Wallbank, a Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Insurers (CII). The CII's title ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ is a widely-accepted gold standard qualification for professional financial planners in the UK, and advisers who hold the qualification are among the most experienced and qualified in the profession. Across the firm, we have highly-qualified advisers in specialist areas including protection, mortgages and alternative investments. Because we work as a team, you benefit from our collective experience and knowledge.

Choice

There are two main types of financial adviser: independent and restricted. Ginkgo Financial is a restricted advice firm. What this means in practice is that we work with a carefully curated panel of providers rather than the whole of the market. Because restricted advisers only deal with a selection of providers, we can forge strong relationships with them and develop extensive knowledge about their products. Providers, in turn, are keen to be on a panel supported by a large network of advisers and many offer more competitive margins than open market rates, saving you money.

Protection from risk

When you invest, you want to feel confident that your money is in safe hands. Ginkgo Financial is part of the Quilter Financial Planning network, who are a part of Quilter PLC. Quilter PLC is one of the leading providers of advice, investments and wealth management, both in the UK and internationally. Assets under Management and Administration (“AuMA”) of £99.6 billion at the end of December 2022 and is a FTSE 250 company. For the last two years, Quilter Financial Planning has been voted No1 financial adviser company by FT Adviser.

Personal service

Although we’re proud to be part of a major financial network, we’re a family business at heart. We know all our clients by name and work hard to deliver the level of hands-on personal service you expect from a smaller, local business. Wherever possible, we’ll work and communicate with you however you prefer: whether that means Zoom calls after the children have gone to bed or (when allowed) visiting you at home or inviting you to our lovely offices for a cuppa and a face-to-face chat.

Transparency

Choosing a financial adviser is a difficult decision – especially in this virtual age, when people might not always be what they seem. That’s why we use the VouchedFor reviews site. Our VouchedFor listing verifies our listing on the Financial Conduct Authority Register, our status as a restricted adviser, our fee structure, our advisers’ qualifications - and even their exam certificates. Most importantly, the many genuine reviews shows you how other clients rate our service in terms of knowledge, value for money and customer care. In 2022 and 2023, Ginkgo was awarded VouchedFor Top Rated Firm status for meeting a set of stringent criteria that demonstrate our commitment to great client outcomes. You can see our full listing and reviews here:

Ethics

We value people as much as profit and we’re doing our best to have a positive impact on our employees, our community and the environment.  

Responsible investment - The impact of the companies and funds you invest in may be an important consideration in your choices. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are a key part of our investment strategy. Every solution on our investment panel has been independently scored for ESG performance at a company and fund level. We take time to understand your feelings towards responsible investment and record your preferences as ESG aware, ESG focused or ESG dedicated. This insight helps us to recommend products that are likely to match your preferences, and gives you the transparency to make a truly informed decision.

Flexible employment – We’re a business not just for families, but run by families! More than half our team are talented parents who have left behind a long commute and unsociable hours in the corporate world. Instead, we walk to work, organise our hours around school and family life and enjoy operating at the heart of our thriving local community. We’re happy, committed and driven – and we hope that shows in our interactions with you.

Sustainable outlook – We’re always on the look out for ways we can be better citizens, whether through our Grow with Ginkgo initiative or just choosing office products and services that are better for the planet and recycling more. We’re not perfect yet, but we’re doing our best!