As a dual resident of Hong Kong and the UK, we have experienced some of the currency, tax and investment challenges faced by internationally mobile professionals. We also understand the problems with trying to obtain financial advice over multiple jurisdictions and trying to find a ‘joined-up’ approach to your financial affairs.
It’s for these reasons and more that we established Charlton House. Based in both London and Hong Kong, we specialise in providing advice to internationally mobile individuals and families with a UK footprint. This might be:
- You’re British or you have a British spouse, and you live in Hong Kong
- You may have previously lived and worked in the UK
- You intend to work in the UK in the future
- You may have UK assets, such as property or a pension from a previous/current employer.
Whatever your situation, we’re here to help you if you have complex financial needs and/or multi-jurisdictional considerations. There are three ways in which we can add real value – read on to find out more.
Dual regulation means we can advise you on both UK and Hong Kong matters
A financial adviser with knowledge of both Hong Kong and UK regulations is hard to find. While some of the big banks may have offices in both countries, it won’t be the same individual that you’ll deal with in both Hong Kong and London.
We believe that international clients who have a UK footprint should have access to qualified and experienced financial professionals who are regulated in both Hong Kong and the UK. This is particularly true if you are planning to relocate from Hong Kong back to the UK.
As we are authorised and regulated in both jurisdictions, we can provide expert advice on your Hong Kong and UK affairs. And, as we have offices in both locations, we can offer a seamless, consistent service as you’ll always deal with the same small team.
One of the areas we can add real value is if you are considering moving from Asia back to the UK.
Ideally, you need a financial plan while you’re still resident in Hong Kong, and certainly before you leave. Moving often involves restructuring assets and this needs to be done before you acquire your UK residency.
Most Hong Kong advisers can’t provide ongoing service in the UK, while our dual authorisation means we can serve you in both jurisdictions.
A young and experienced team
For many of our clients, their most common and important financial goal relates to their retirement.
However, the average age of financial advisers is now the mid-50s. This can often mean that your adviser will retire before you do. They may sell their business to an organisation whose service and approach doesn’t align with your own. Or, you may have to get to know a new adviser who may not know you intimately or offer the same level of service.
We believe that, while experience and qualifications are important qualities to look for in an adviser, you also need to ensure that you work with a professional who can look after you and your family well into your retirement.
While our two directors, David Snelling and Nick Robinson, are relatively young (39 and 31 respectively) they are highly qualified and experienced. Between them, they boast more than 25 years’ experience, while still being young enough to serve you right through to your retirement.
It means we don’t just offer you continuity in terms of jurisdiction, but also over time.
Transparency and honesty
Sadly, there are many parts of the world where poorly regulated financial services means people with few qualifications and low morals take huge commissions for so-called ‘advice’.
This is not the case in the UK. So, because we are regulated in the UK (as well as Hong Kong), we have made the decision to apply the high standards expected of UK firms across our entire business.
We apply the highest possible standards to give you the peace of mind that you’re dealing with a trusted, professional firm.
We’re completely transparent about our fee model, meaning we’re never influenced by how much commission we receive from a provider. Taking fees reduces (where possible) conflicts of interest and ensures everything is done with your best interests at heart, and not because we’re swayed by products or providers.
We’re fiercely independent and are committed to working to the very highest standards of transparency.
Get in touch
If you’re an internationally mobile client with a UK footprint, and you’re looking for advice from a firm regulated in both the UK and Hong Kong, please contact us by email or, if you prefer to speak to us, you can reach us in the UK on +44 (0) 208 0044900 or in Hong Kong on +852 39039004.
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