The Fry Group – UK

The rise of English wine over the past 30 years, is a remarkable story. Award-winning drinks expert Henry Jeffreys shares insights on England’s newfound prominence in the wine world and discusses his latest book, ‘Vines in a Cold Climate,’ which explores the pioneers behind this revolution. What first piqued your interest in English wine? I’d enjoyed English sparkling wines for quite some time but hadn’t really fallen in love with…

Rising property prices and higher interest rates have left younger generations struggling to get on the UK property ladder. The situation has prompted families to get more involved with parents and grandparents using their own property wealth to help younger generations become home buyers. Jack Lear, our UK Financial Planning Manager, looks at how families are supporting the next generation into home ownership. Today the average home in the UK…

Creating an investment plan can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. Yet a robust approach can maximise your opportunities, build your confidence and help you to achieve financial freedom. Charlie Buxton, our Head of Investment Management, shares the key steps to cover when it comes to investment essentials. Investment planning can feel like a rather complex skill to master. However, if you’re keen to explore opportunities to…

The current tax year ends on 5 April 2024 with the 2024/25 tax year kicking off a day later. With the end of the tax year approaching, it’s a good idea to begin to plan what you need to do to ensure your taxes are in good shape. Peter Webb, our Head of Tax Advisory, shares his top tips. Before considering what you might need to do before 6 April…

Inheritance Tax is one of the most punishing elements in the UK tax system, and many families are keen to do everything they can to reduce or eliminate it. One of the options available is to use a family heirloom to offset an Inheritance Tax bill. Steve Wright, our Estates Director, explains what’s possible. When it comes to dealing with Estates, one of the main areas of concern is Inheritance…

Protecting your financial position when you’re unmarried may be slightly more complicated. But with some careful checks you and your partner can take steps to ensure you’re not financially disadvantaged. Ed Read Cutting, our Director in Belgium, looks at the key areas to consider. More couples today are co-habiting or in same sex relationships, with marriage rates continuing to fall. As a result there are now 3.6 million unmarried couples…

This year’s Spring’s Budget included significant changes concerning the way tax will be calculated for non-UK domiciled individuals (non-doms). Claire Spinks, our Head of Tax Technical and Development, takes a look at what’s been proposed and the effects for non-doms and those planning to reside in the UK. Non-doms have been on the political agenda for some time, so it wasn’t a great surprise to see new proposals concerning how…

With UK tax allowances falling it can be useful to look at how you can structure your investments to ensure they are as tax-efficient as possible. There are a number of options to consider, including ISAs, pensions and bonds, alongside VCTs and EIS. But which should you choose? Claire Spinks, our Head of Tax Technical and Development, looks at some of the most common tax-efficient investments. The UK remains a…

More women than ever are following their own careers and enjoying significant earning potential. So, when it comes to managing money, are things different for women who are high earners? George Howard, Chartered Financial Planner, looks at some of the key factors for women when it comes to financial planning and managing wealth. Some of the fundamentals of financial planning and managing wealth are the same – regardless of age,…

University is still an important rite of passage for many young people, and a pre-requisite for many career paths. But the cost of tuition fees and living expenses means that funding your child’s university education can result in a substantial financial outlay, with added complexity if your family are expats. Matthew Curtis, our Director in Hong Kong, explores what you might need to consider when supporting your children financially through…

Choosing to enjoy a special meal at a top restaurant is always a cause for celebration. But there’s a growing awareness of the impact that dining out and enjoying far-flung produce can have on the world around us. Caroline Underhill, our Global Marketing Director and Head of CSR, looks at the shift towards sustainable dining and the impact of schemes including the Green Michelin Star. Dining at renowned restaurants is…

The UK tax system is a highly complicated system – full of allowances and exemptions, some more unusual than others. When it comes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) there are thankfully a range of tools which can be used to help reduce this hefty tax. Peter Webb, our Head of Tax Advisory, looks at some of the more surprising loopholes. When it comes to UK tax, IHT is the big hitter.…

Financial planning is likely to look different at different stages of your life. So, what matters most when you reach your 50s? Ed Read Cutting, our Director in Belgium, takes a look at some of the key areas to consider. As you approach your 50s, retirement planning takes centre stage. It’s a critical phase where thoughtful decisions can significantly impact your financial security and overall well-being during your later years.…

Financial wellbeing is an important consideration when it comes to managing your money. Ensuring that you’re at ease with your financial position and feel like you have everything under control is a key step. George Howard, one of our Chartered Financial Planners based in Dubai, shares her insights into how to protect and boost your financial wellbeing. What does financial wellbeing mean? Just like many aspects of finance, financial wellbeing…

Financial literacy is skill which many parents and grandparents are keen to nurture in their children and grandchildren. With social media now a key route for young people to access information – including researching money and finance – it’s helpful to look at the role it can play. Stuart McCulloch, our Senior Executive Officer in the Middle East, explores whether social media is helping young people become more informed when…

Pensions are likely to form the foundation of your retirement planning – helping ensure financial freedom through your later years. But what happens to your pension pot when you die. Jack Lear, UK Financial Planning Manager, looks at what to be aware of. Most of us carefully save into pensions for much of our working life. By the time you retire your pension might hold a significant sum, especially given…

Good Estate planning will ensure that the assets you’ve built over your lifetime pass easily and tax-efficiently to your chosen beneficiaries. Yet there are a number of areas which frequently catch families out. Steve Wright, our Estates Director, takes a look at 10 of the most common mistakes when it comes to Estate planning. Estate planning is different for every family. You might be keen to share your wealth during…

The purpose of investing is to increase the value of your assets over time. Unnecessary tax can chip away at your gains and hinder your progress. With tax allowances falling it can be useful to look at how you can structure your investments to ensure they are as tax-efficient as possible. Claire Spinks, our Head of Tax Technical and Development, looks at what options you might find helpful to factor…

Becoming part of a couple is an exciting time. But along with the anticipation of a shared life it’s important to consider some of the practicalities – including finance. George Howard, our Chartered Financial Planner, looks at some of the important money conversations to tackle with your partner. Talking about money is sometimes challenging and can expose some of your or your partner’s vulnerabilities. Yet managing your finances jointly will…

Main Residence Relief is a valuable Capital Gains Tax allowance which saved taxpayers around £26.7 billion in 2021. But there are some pinch points which it makes sense to be aware of – so you don’t get caught out. Peter Webb, our Head of Tax Advisory, looks at how to avoid some of the tax traps. If your property (legally referred to as “dwelling house”) has been your main residence…

It’s normal to consider completing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) as you age, however these important documents are essential no matter how old – or young – you are. Steve Wright, our Estates Director, explores why it’s so important to not only complete LPAs but also register them. Considering what might happen if you aren’t able to make your own decisions probably isn’t something most people are keen to…

At the halfway point of the year, some of the key themes which have influenced global markets through the early months of 2023 have continued to dominate. Charlie Buxton, our Head of Investment Management, spoke to Ian Hooper, Chief Investment Officer at Progeny, to explore some of the recent developments. When it comes to global investment markets, two factors continue to play out. Firstly, strong returns are largely down to…

Talking about money can feel uncomfortable and be fraught with challenges. In this new series, Trust Executive Shannon Brightman, explores some of the tough conversations about finance that come up at different stages of life and offer some thoughts about how you can approach some of those challenging discussions. It’s no surprise that discussing any aspect of personal finance can be awkward and emotive. Knowing when and how to broach…

Retirement is a time when most of us can aim for a more relaxed pace of life and enjoy some long-held plans and dreams. But it’s been pretty impossible to escape the effect of higher inflation in the last 12 months, and its impact will ripple on for some time to come – perhaps into your retirement years. So with increasing costs is it likely that you’ll need a pension…