Case study: Premium

James, 64, is a recently retired consultant surgeon, and his wife, Maya, 60, is a senior partner at a law firm in London. With a combined net worth exceeding £3.8 million, they approached Crowe Financial Planning for bespoke financial advice to help them transition into retirement, manage their wealth, and plan for their legacy.

 Their assets included:

• a mix of investment accounts totalling £2.1 million
• two rental properties in London and Bath
• a family trust
• individually held shares in several FTSE 100 companies
• a collection of fine art and antiques
• defined benefit and defined contribution pensions.

While James was comfortable with higher-risk investments and had previously managed his own portfolio, Maya preferred a more conservative approach. They were seeking a tailored solution that would balance their differing risk profiles, generate sustainable income, and optimise their estate for future generations.

Understanding their goals

During our initial consultation, we explored their key objectives:

• establishing a reliable income stream for retirement
• preserving capital and managing investment risk
• minimising Inheritance Tax (IHT) exposure
• structuring their estate to benefit their two children and three grandchildren
• reviewing existing protection policies and trust arrangements.

They were particularly concerned about the complexity of their holdings and wanted a coordinated strategy that would simplify their financial affairs without compromising performance.

Given the complexity and scale of their financial situation, we recommended our Premium Service, which offers a fully bespoke financial planning and investment management solution.

Our process included:

Unlike our Foundation and Core services, the Premium Service does not use the Centralised Investment Proposition. Instead, we developed a bespoke investment strategy tailored to their unique needs.

Portfolio composition

• Discretionary investment management: We partnered with a specialist discretionary fund manager to construct a diversified bespoke portfolio across asset classes including equities, fixed income, alternatives, and property.
• Ethical overlay: Maya requested Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) screening across all investments, which was implemented through selective fund choices and exclusions.
• Private equity allocation: A portion of their capital was allocated to private equity funds with a five-to-seven-year horizon, offering potential for higher returns.
• Direct equity holdings: James retained a portion of his FTSE 100 shares, which were reviewed and rebalanced to align with the overall strategy. Consideration was given to any Capital Gains Tax that could potentially be liable for the sale of his existing shares.
• Property income: Their rental properties were retained for income generation, with a review of ownership structure to improve tax efficiency.

Risk management

We created two separate investment mandates:

• Growth Mandate for James, with a higher equity exposure and longer-term horizon
• Preservation Mandate for Maya, focused on capital protection and income generation

Both portfolios are reviewed quarterly and rebalanced as needed.

Implementation

We produced a detailed financial plan and investment proposal, which included:

• a phased drawdown strategy from pensions and ISAs
• use of inter-spousal transfers to maximise allowances
• gifting strategies and trust restructuring to reduce IHT exposure
• review of existing life cover and income protection policies
• coordination with their solicitor to update wills and powers of attorney.

All recommendations were documented in a comprehensive suitability report and discussed in a follow-up meeting.

The Premium Service at Crowe Financial Planning is designed for clients with complex financial needs who require a tailored, high-touch approach. For James and Maya, it provided the clarity, structure, and confidence they needed to embrace retirement and plan for the future.

Important information The client name and scenario used in this case study are fictitious, but the advice and process reflect a real example of how Crowe Financial Planning supports clients. Please note: the value of investments and income from them can go down as well as up returns are not guaranteed, and you may get back less than you originally invested the Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate Trusts, Tax or Estate Planning the information on this page does not offer specific personal advice the information is based on our understanding of current taxation, legislation, and HMRC practice as of 04 November 2025, all of which may be subject to change. A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028 unless the plan has a protected pension age). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation, which are subject to change. You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.