Hazlewoods

Financial Planning update: Spotlight on... Andy Hogarth

Published: Thursday 9 March 2023

People are at the heart of the Hazlewoods Financial Planning team, and so to get them know them better we are putting the spotlight on some of them. Here we catch up with Financial Planning Director, Andy Hogarth.

How did your career with Hazlewoods start and develop?

I actually studied history at university, and almost fell into my first financial planning job as I always had a natural interest in numbers and the markets, and so was comfortable in that role. After qualifying as an IFA, I joined Hazlewoods in 2015 as a trainee adviser – to advise on the rules and regulations, and the ensuing roll-out of auto-enrolment workplace pensions, alongside individual clients. Through advising an increasing number of individual clients over the past few years, I am now enjoying my current position as Director within the Financial Planning team.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Helping people. That is the crux of it really – finding out about their plans, interests and hobbies, and what’s important to them, then helping get them to the place they want to be financially. Also, we have a cracking team in FP!

What are your clients thinking about at the moment?

Investment markets are volatile at the moment, which creates uncertainty and worry. We are there to reassure our clients that the best approach is to stick to the plan, and not to make any knee-jerk reactions with their investments in mind. Indeed, there may be opportunities that arise out of the volatility which we can advise on.

What is keeping you busy lately?

As we are coming to the end of the financial year, we are busy making sure our clients have used all of their tax allowances, for example pension and ISA contributions.

Tell us about what you enjoy outside of work?

I love sport, but sport does not love me. I play golf (badly!) in my free time and watch most sports. I am a Geordie, but unlike most of my family who support the black and white, I followed my great Uncle and chose to support Carlisle United – we are currently the league below Cheltenham Town, but hoping this will change soon…

Financial Planning

At Hazlewoods Financial Planning we provide independent financial advice and investment management services to both private and corporate clients. Our professional services also include planning for retirement, pension advice, inheritance tax and succession planning.

Inheritance Tax Planning and Succession Planning

Together with our tax specialists, we can recommend how best to minimise the impact of inheritance tax so that as little as possible becomes payable to the taxman.

Featured news

Financial Planning update: How bond markets affect your portfolio

Tuesday 10 January 2023

The financial markets have experienced heightened volatility over the last year, and many bond investors have seen losses equal to or more than those felt by equity investors. Even if you don’t hold bonds directly, you may have exposure to bonds within your portfolio through multi-asset funds. Occupational pension schemes, which heavily invest in gilts, have also been adversely affected. So what is causing this turbulence in a historically stable market, and is there anything you need to do about it?

Financial Planning update: How to approach property and inheritance tax

Thursday 10 November 2022

Whilst property is typically the most valuable asset in an individual's estate, there are certain tax complexities tied to property which need to be carefully considered. This guide covers the main IHT implications of owning property.

Financial Planning update: Five tips on how to stay calm during volatile markets

Thursday 29 September 2022

A fall in the value of your investments might make you feel uneasy, especially if you have only been investing for a short time. It can be tempting to withdraw your funds or change your investments to prevent further losses occurring. However, volatility is a part of investing. The markets fluctuate on a daily basis, and usually experience a significant drop every few years. The tips below will help you stay calm during periods of volatility.

Financial Planning update: Five ideas for crafting a great estate plan

Thursday 1 September 2022

There are numerous reasons why estate planning is an essential part of any financial plan. Leaving a legacy behind can be extremely fulfilling, especially if you have worked hard to build up your wealth. Efficient estate planning may also save on tax and ensure that more of your money goes to those you intended. Creating the perfect estate plan can take time and should not be rushed. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Financial Planning update: How a deed of variation can help with IHT

Tuesday 19 July 2022

Having a will is arguably the most important part of estate planning as it ensures that there is no misperception over how your estate should be dealt with and by whom. But what happens when someone dies and the beneficiaries do not agree with the directions in their will?