19 September marked the anniversary of George Cadbury’s birth in 1839, bringing with it a timely opportunity to reflect on one of the UK’s most influential business owners. When George and his brother, Richard, took over their father’s Birmingham-based cocoa and chocolate business in 1861, the company was struggling financially. Yet, through innovative leadership, strong ethical practices, and strategic thinking, ...

Running a successful business can be incredibly rewarding, but ensuring your hard-earned profits translate into personal wealth can be challenging. Indeed, this exercise requires careful, ongoing planning, and some entrepreneurs spend so much time managing their firm’s operational cash flow that they overlook their personal tax position. This could leave money on the table and see you paying more tax ...

Flexible pension withdrawals have reached record levels since Pension Freedoms were introduced in 2015. While total control over your retirement fund can be liberating, it places the onus on you to ensure you’re managing your finances responsibly. UK retirees rely heavily on flexible access to their pensions, and the data supports this. According to figures reported by MoneyAge (30 July ...

Persistent high inflation could mean further interest rate rises over the next year. While this could be good news for savers, it may place pressure on borrowers, including those with a mortgage. Inflation refers to the general increase in the prices of goods and services across an economy. The Bank of England (BoE) has a 2% inflation target to create ...

Becoming financially free as you enter retirement could make a huge difference to this chapter of your life. Financial freedom doesn’t necessarily mean becoming wealthy. Instead, it’s about having enough to live the life you want on your terms, without having to worry about money. As retirement represents a chance to reassess what’s important to you, having financial freedom could ...

In September 2026, markets experienced some volatility due to conflict in the Middle East and the impact it had on energy prices. Discover other factors that may have affected the performance of your portfolio. Markets got off to a weak start on 1 September. A global government bond sell-off, caused by concerns about inflation and government debt, led to markets ...

It can be easy to overlook your own financial security if you’re focused on your business. However, if you’re relying on your business to deliver an income, it’s important to take steps that could improve your financial security. If you haven’t already taken these steps, it’s worth considering whether they should form part of your financial plan. 1. Have an ...

The amount HMRC is forecast to collect through Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is set to more than double between 2024/25 and 2030/31, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR, 9 February 2026). The good news is that there might be steps you could take to reduce a potential bill. CGT is a tax you might pay on gains you ...

Psychology could be one reason why some people are reluctant to invest, even when it fits into their wider financial plan. Managing risk is an important part of life. You check the road before you cross the street, and you might be encouraged to take out home insurance just in case something happens. So, it’s not surprising that people often ...

Rising property prices have left many aspiring homeowners struggling to get on the property ladder. If you’re in this situation, you might consider taking out a so-called “ultra-long mortgage” that you repay over 30 to 40 years. Traditionally, first-time buyers have taken out a mortgage with a 25-year term. A combination of factors, including property prices, means this isn’t affordable ...