About us
Our mission statement:
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. He also regularly gives his time to local charity Save the Family, where he works with the committee to build and deliver money management seminars to vulnerable adults.
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.
Malcolm Gorton BSc (hons), MAQ
Following obtaining his honours degree in 1997, Malcolm immediately entered finance working for Britannic Assurance as a financial adviser. After moving to an independent advice company 3 years later, Malcolm then joined NatWest Bank as a mortgage adviser covering Chester and North Wales.
More about Malcolm
Over the years, Malcolm has become a true specialist in mortgage’s and provides top quality advice to those buying their first homes, re-mortgaging and home movers. Having local relationships with property lawyers and estate agents means Malcolm provides a joined-up approach ensuring the house buying process is as smooth as possible.
Knowledge of everything house buying is Malcolm’s success who describes service, service and service as being the key.
Qualifications:
• BSc (honours) in Mathematics and statistics
• Mortgage Advice Qualification (MAQ)
• Financial Planning Certificate (FPC)
• Life and Pensions Certificate
Outside work
Malcolm lives in Tremeirchion, North Wales with his wife Ceri and son Jac. Hobbies are all centred around the family but include keeping fit and swimming. Malcolm also supports Liverpool FC.
Kieran Broster, 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.
More about Kieran
Since joining, Kieran has fast-tracked the qualifications through hard work and within 8 months became a qualified Mortgage Adviser. He has since passed further exams including in Equity Release and the journey towards becoming a Financial adviser has begun. Having a real drive to learn, we have no doubt Kieran is an industry star to watch for the future!
Kieran is a Mortgage and Protection specialist and like all members of the team, is passionate about the clients we serve.
Qualifications:
• 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. Sadly for him, Kieran is the only Manchester United fan in the team meaning he is usually on the receiving end of a joke or two!
Alex Brown, DipFA & CeMAP
Alex started his career in publishing but after 11 successful years, decided to turn his attention to his real passion and entered the world of finance in 2012. Starting his career with what is known as a “restricted” financial adviser (not independent like us!), Alex took the opportunity to study for his diploma, quickly qualifying with distinctions before gaining valuable experience helping clients.
More about Alex
Alex’s specialist areas are retirement planning & protection and he is passionate about our clients, ensuring their financial security is built and protected!
Qualifications:
• Diploma for Financial Advisers with the London Institute of Banking & Finance
• Certificate in mortgage Advice and Practise (CeMAP)
Outside work
Alex is another local and lives in Chester with his family. Alex is an avid football fan and used to play for local team Hoole Rangers. Sadly, for some of our clients (and Kieran), Alex is another Liverpool fan and is the proud owner of a season ticket.
Ian Daltrey DipFA, AwPETR
Ian started his career in publishing where he became a company Director but eventually entered financial planning in June 2014 quickly qualifying. Having worked previously for a competitor firm of advisers, Ian studied and obtained his “level 6 pension transfer exam” meaning he is a pension transfer specialist and able to advise on all things’ final salary – quite an achievement.
More about Ian
Having been working for a firm that only advised on pensions, Ian joined Financial Fortress to provide a more rounded and holistic approach to our clients.
Ian’s specialist areas are retirement planning & wealth management. Like the rest of the team, he is passionate about our clients, ensuring their financial security is built and protected!
Qualifications:
• Diploma for Financial Advisers with the London Institute of Banking & Finance
• Award in Pension Transfers
Outside work
Ian is another local and lives in Vicars Cross with his 3 children. Ian is yet another avid Liverpool fan (its as if you need to be to work here!). Ian does have the nickname Roger which can cause some confusion… ie: Roger Daltrey of the Who fame!
Ryan Hardwick
Ryan has joined Financial Fortress as Apprentice Marketeer having previously worked for a Supermarket. He has been enrolled on the Government recognised Level 3 Digital Marketing course. 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.
Outside work
Ryan is another local who lives in Elton , a village just outside of Chester, with his family. Ryan enjoys going to the gym, socialising with friends and attending the odd festival in the summertime. For our football supporting clients – Ryan is strictly a neutral!
Emyr Evans, DipPFS
Emyr has been a financial adviser since 1992 for HSBC Bank including 12 years as an independent adviser. He left HSBC to become an Independent Financial Adviser with a family owned competitor company and joining Financial Fortress in 2020.
Emyr’s specialist areas are compliance, investments, inheritance tax and retirement planning with specific emphasis in ensuring total financial security for our clients, ensuring their complete peace of mind.
More about Emyr
Qualifications:
- Certificate & Diploma in Financial Planning, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute
- CF8 Long Term Care
Outside work
Emyr lives in Llangollen but hopes to relocate to Chester in the coming months and enjoys travelling including a recent 6-week trip to Australia. Other favourites include walking, good food and good wine (although not in work time!) Emyr’s 2 sons are now grown up and both live locally to our head office in Chester.
Sadly, our interviewing process does not yet include football affiliation so Emyr has snuck in as another Manchester United fan, bringing the “Man U team” to 2!
Bella Scully , BSc (hons)
Bella started her career in IT and eventually became Director of her own company providing IT and email solutions to large corporations in London. Eventually relocating to Chester with her family, Bella joined an IT Services & Solutions company carving out a new career in marketing and events.
Following a company restructure and corporate buy-out, Bella wanted to further her skills so joined Financial Fortress as a Marketing & Events Co-ordinator! This unites Bella’s core skills as a “people person” and her interest in all things marketing, helping us to get clear messages to our clients and ensuring their wealth is built.
More about Bella
Qualifications:
- BSc (hons) in Computer Information Systems Design & Technology
- Lotus Notes Principle Certified Lotus Professional
Outside work
Bella is yet another Cestrian, living in Hoole – Chester with husband Nick and 3 children. For our football clients, Bella is another proud Liverpool fan (her husband and son both hold a season ticket). Hobbies include everything keep-fit (Bella is addicted to getting her steps in!), attending fitness classes and will often be found socialising around Chester with friends and family.