About Us
Whether you are buying your first home, aiming to protect your family from life changing events, investing for a rainy day or planning for your retirement it is vital you get the very best advice from an expert you can trust.
Looking for financial advice? We offer all clients a no-cost and no obligation review at our office, your home or using video conferencing technology!
At Financial Fortress, we maintain the highest levels of service and guarantee no jargon! No long wait times on the phone and easy to reach named & dedicated advisers!
A review with us will ensure you fully understand your plans, maximise your savings & the investments. We are obsessed with ensuring you a successful & secure future.
To help every client build their very own Financial Fortress!
At Financial Fortress, we believe that good financial planning is absolutely key to everyone at all stages of their lives to ensure total financial security, protect your loved ones and allow absolute peace of mind.
Whether you are buying your first home, aiming to protect your family from life changing events, investing for a rainy day or planning for your retirement it is vital you get the very best advice from an expert you can trust. No matter the size of your need, at Financial Fortress we provide trusted advice no matter what keeps you up at night!
Our process
Here at Financial Fortress we have decades of experience allowing us to tailor the whole process around you. Generally speaking, our financial planning process can be broken down into five easy steps and is usually completed over 2 meetings. Here’s what to expect:
1. Understand
2. Disclose
3. Recommend
4. Implement
5. Maintain
1. Understanding you (the fact find)
Probably the most important part of any relationship is getting to know each other properly, only then are we able to make quality recommendations that truly work and take account of your financial circumstances and needs. At Financial Fortress we have invested in exclusive, cutting edge tools and technology to ensure we do this effectively in an easy to understand manner.
The fact-find will be tailored depending on your needs, for example if your only priority is a mortgage, there is no point having a discussion on the tax implications of an investment!!
2. Disclosure of our service and cost
At our first meeting, your adviser will clearly explain who we are, what services we offer, the details of our regulator and how we get paid. Bear in mind we are independent, un-restricted and whole of market advisers. This means we are able to source you the very best, most cost effective solutions from any provider in the marketplace. You can choose how to pay us, either directly from yourself or from your plans themselves.
3. The recommendations
Once we have established all the facts, we will make clear recommendations to you based on the information gathered and the areas of need. These will be presented in written format supported by FCA approved personalised illustrations and easy to read guides with your adviser explaining it all clearly and without jargon or pressure.
The recommendations will also include a full breakdown of cost, detailing to the penny what we will get paid.
4. Implementation
Now you have all the facts at hand, you can make an informed decision to take action. Where you agree with our recommendations your adviser will guide you through completing the often complicated paperwork and application forms. We will then liaise with the chosen providers to ensure all plans are set up correctly and in accordance with your wishes.
5. Ongoing advice (investments and pensions only)
Unlike other companies, we do not hide any commissions or charges in your plans. If you only want the initial advice and decide you are happy looking after your plans yourself then we are happy to remain available on a reactive basis.
With investments and pensions, as these products and legislation surrounding them is constantly changing we recommend you opt to include our ongoing advice service. For an additional annual cost, we will guarantee you a pro-active service including face to face annual reviews and careful ongoing management of both the providers chosen and investments placed. This really does provide you with complete peace of mind!
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Meet the team
Wayne Musker DipCII, Certs (MP&ER)
Following a successful career in travel, Wayne first entered the world of finance in 2003 and worked in a variety of disciplines until qualifying as a Financial Adviser in 2006. Initially working for Barclays Bank, Wayne was then headhunted by Royal Bank of Scotland in 2009 before starting Financial Fortress Ltd in 2013. As the Managing Director of the firm, Wayne prioritises getting the culture right by ensuring all team members treat clients fairly and is very proud of what Financial Fortress has become!
More about Wayne
Over the years, Wayne has developed extensive relationships with other experts in law, accountancy, banking and finance to work collaboratively in the best interests of our clients where necessary. Outstanding client service, honesty and integrity is Wayne’s key to success.
Qualifications:
• QCF Level 4 (via CF1 – CF5)
• CF6 – Mortgages
• CF8 – long Term Care
• ER1 – Equity Release
• J01 – Personal Taxation
• R01 – Regulation and ethics
• R02 – Investment principles & risk
• R04 – Pensions and retirement planning
• R06 – Financial Planning Practise
• AF3 – Advanced Pension Planning
• AF2 – Advanced Business Financial Planning
Outside work
Wayne lives in Upton, Chester with his wife Nicki and 3 sons Joshua, Isaac and Noah. Hobbies include squash, cycling, camping and following Liverpool FC (although you shouldn’t hold this against him!).
Wayne is committed to our community and is involved coaching Children’s football with Newton Athletic and is a Trustee for the charity.
Nicki Musker S.A.C.Dip, Director
Being a family owned firm, Nicki is the second Director and heads up the Legal Services side of the business. Having worked for one of Chester’s largest law firms for over 13 years she qualified as a Property Lawyer in 2004 before practising until 2011. Nicki then established her own business offering secretarial services to solicitors before joining Financial Fortress in 2014 as fellow Director.
More about Nicki
Given Financial Advice often overlaps with our Legal colleagues, offering legal and secretarial services within our business has meant we develop incredibly deep and trusting relationships with local Lawyers and Solicitors. This results in a joined-up approach for our clients and almost a “one-stop shop” in meeting both their financial and legal needs.
Outside work
Nicki is married to our other Director, Wayne where she lives in Upton with 3 sons Joshua, Isaac and Noah. Interests include theatre trips and spending time with the boys and supporting Liverpool Fc with the rest of the Musker clan.
Kieran Broster DipPFS Cert CII (MP&ER)
Kieran started his career in recruitment but after 3 successful years with one of the world’s largest recruitment firms, was approached by the Directors of Financial Fortress to become a Trainee Financial Adviser. After years of training and multiple exams, Kieran became a fully qualified financial adviser in the summer of 2023.
More about Kieran
Since joining, Kieran fast-tracked the qualifications through hard work and within 8 months became a qualified Mortgage Adviser. He then passed further exams including in Equity release. Having a real drive to learn, we have no doubt Kieran is an industry star to watch for the future!
Qualifications:
- Diploma in regulated financial planning awarded by the CII
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice with the Chartered Insurance Institute
- Equity release Certificate (ER1)
Outside work
Kieran is another local of Chester where he lives in Upton with his family. Interests include swimming, socialising and going to the gym. Kieran is one of the few Manchester United fans in the team meaning he is usually on the receiving end of a joke or two!
Ryan Hardwick
Ryan joined Financial Fortress as an apprentice marketeer having previously worked for a Supermarket. He was enrolled on the Government recognised Level 3 Digital Marketing course.
After successfully passing his diploma he is now looking to yet again further his knowledge in marketing and business. His role includes managing all things marketing including, digital advertising, managing the in-house Google AdWords account and adding updates to our website to help make it run more efficiently for our clients.
More about Ryan
Qualifications:
• Level 3 Diploma for creative media production.
- Digital Marketer (level 3)
- Level 3 Award in Principles of Coding
- Level 3 Certificate in Marketing Principles
- Level 3 Certificate in Digital Marketing Business Principles
Outside work
Ryan is another local who lives in Huntington , a village in Chester, with his girlfriend Maisie. Ryan enjoys going to the gym, socialising with friends, attending the odd festival in the summertime and runs his own business selling posters online.
Phill Davies DipPFS
Phill has been involved in the world of finance since 1980 and his long career has seen him working with some of the worlds’ largest and most respected companies including Barclays, Prudential and Axa to name a few!
Phill became a dedicated financial adviser with a competitor firm in 2017 before joining Financial Fortress in February 2021 following redundancy!
More about Phill
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning, awarded by the CII
- Advanced Diplomas G10 & K10
- CF8 – Certificate in Long-Term care
Outside work
Phill lives in Wrexham with his wife Glenys and has 3 children Sarah, Craig and Amy and 2 grandaughters.
The family enjoy spending time in their static caravan in Llandudno, have a shared keen interest in music,
walking the dogs(they own 5 in total) and cycling.
Phill is a “blue-nose”, bringing the Everton supporting contingent of Financial Fortress to exactly….1!
Reg Shepherd
Reg started his career after school within a family business as a property developer before joining the world of finance in 1985. Nearly 40 years later, Reg’s career has seen him working with some of the worlds’ largest and most respected companies including City Bank working out of Liverpool’s iconic Liver Building.
Reg is a Protection Specialist so an expert in all aspects of insurance including life cover, mortgage cover, critical illness planning, business & income protection.
More about Reg
Qualifications:
- Financial Planning Certificate
Outside work
Outside of work, Reg likes to spend time with family and pursue his passion of photography. For all our football fans, Reg is actually a neutral but if pushed would choose Manchester United (via his son’s support) bringing the total United “fans” in the office to 3 (still outnumbered by the scousers lol)!
Isaac Musker
Isaac has joined the Financial Fortress team as an administrator after leaving his roll in the hospitality industry to become our next trainee financial adviser. Isaac will be enrolling in the mortgage adviser exams along studying business at college.
More about Isaac
Qualifications:
- Diploma in Engineering
Outside work
Outside of work, Isaac enjoys playing football with friends and his team Newton Athletic (Who we sponsor) He also enjoys playing his Xbox with his brothers Josh & Noah. You may notice something similar about Isaacs surname, this is because he is also the second born son of our co-directors Wayne and Nicki Musker.
Belinda Paul BA Hons CII Cert (MP)
After obtaining her honours degree at university and having a passion for finance, Belinda started her career in the mortgage world and qualified as a Mortgage Adviser in 2008. She lived in Shropshire for 10 years and has subsequently returned to her hometown of Chester.
Over the years, Belinda has developed her deep understanding of mortgages – but has always been on the administration, compliance and report writing side of things – never “front of house” so when the opportunity arose to join team Financial Fortress she jumped at the chance!
Belinda will be providing Mortgage Advice, helping our clients achieve their dream properties!
More about Belinda
Qualifications:
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice with the Chartered Insurance Institute
- BA (Honours) Media and Communications
Outside work
Belinda lives in the Cheshire countryside and aside from being an unpaid taxi driver to her 2 children (1 son and 1 daughter), she adores everything horse riding and rugby. Her interests include walking and exercising (usually to work off the weekend socialising)! Unlike the rest of Team FF Belinda has no idea about football, her preferred sport being rugby and can usually be found at the sidelines of her sons team trying to refrain from shouting too much!
Gary Stevenson
Gary has a diverse entrepreneurial background with experience that spans manufacturing, project management, financial management and property investment/development.
Whilst running his various businesses, it was the constant analysis and understanding of data to inform business performance that he found most rewarding. It was for this reason, he decided to pursue a career change and began studies in the financial services sector.
Gary is currently studying towards a Diploma in Financial Planning and has achieved various certifications. This knowledge coupled with his business and life experience, places him in good stead to understand our clients circumstances.
More about Gary
Qualifications:
- R01 – Regulation and Ethics
- R02 – Investment Principles and Risk
- R03 – Personal Taxation
- R05 – Financial Protection
- Completed Finance for non-financial Managers programme at Nelson Mandela Bay Business School in 2008
Outside work
Gary and his wife settled in Chester after relocating to the UK in 2021. He is an avid DIY enthusiast, and is known to have a shed with a load of tools nearby at any time. Good to know for those odd jobs around the office! He also enjoys a social round of golf, with emphasis on the social side as his 17 handicap would suggest. Whilst Gary is not a major footie fan, his wife Jane is yet another addition to the Man United supporters.
Steph O’Connor
Stephanie has worked in financial services for most of her career, including for a competitor IFA firm for the last 15 1/2 years bringing to Financial Fortress her vast experience of all things advice.
Although not wanting to be a financial adviser herself, her specialisms are in the administration and “Para-planning” side of the firm. (Para-planner being a specialist assistant to our financial advisers).
More about Steph
Outside work
Steph lives in Abergele (North Wales) with her husband Thomas and 2 children Thomas and Hallie which keep her very busy. Steph is (in her own words) a “chill” type person but is also an avid reader in any spare time she has.
Being a proud Welsh lady, Steph is not a football fan and instead can always be found supporting Welsh rugby at every opportunity!