Testimonials

Ted Dawkes has business in his blood. At 75, his past career exploits include involvement in everything from a general store, casinos and bookmaking to property and he currently runs a business specialising in cheque clearance and pay day loans. He jokingly describes himself as a serial entrepreneur or "Leamington Spa's answer to Sir Alan Sugar".

He came to D A Owen Chartered Accountants, a predecessor firm of HB&O Chartered Accountants, in the mid-1990s for general accountancy services and financial advice and also became a client of its sister firm D A Owen & Co Financial Services, where he first began working with Tracey Hackett.

Over the years since then, which have included mergers leading to the formation of HB&O and HB&O Financial Services, where Tracey is now managing director, Ted has developed and maintained a strong working relationship with Tracey and her team.

Ted says he has retired five times during his business career, the last time when he was 70. At that point, his SIPP (self-invested personal pension) was due to mature and Tracey established an SSAS, or small self administered scheme - a type of occupational pension scheme, in which HB&O Financial Services specialises. It is that kind of expertise that leads Ted to say: "She is a clever, sharp woman with an excellent team behind her."

Ted cites the "nothing is too much trouble" approach of HB&O Financial Services and the team's swift response to any query as key factors in his good relationship with the team, as well as the added value of its easy access to the broader expertise at HB&O, including tax specialists, all of which has led him to recommend a number of people to the firm.

He says: "As an example, I had a query about my son, a pilot with BA, who was living offshore at the time. Tracey was not able to give him a foolproof answer but within minutes had enlisted the assistance of a colleague and, as usual, the problem was solved.

"Over the years, I've never had one query that has remained unanswered for more than 24 hours and when I talk to other people, the picture I get is that I am in a much better position in terms of the services I receive."

Bespoke director pensions

When you are running a business, you may sometimes wish that money tied up in your pension scheme could be put to use to help your enterprise develop and grow.

Inheritance tax

When you've worked hard during your life, you want the wealth that you've created to benefit the people that are important to you when you are no longer around.

Tax strategies

In whatever HB&O Financial Services do for you, a key aspect of the advice you receive will be to maximise your after-tax position.

Wealth management

Through our Wealth Management Service we can help you approach your future with confidence and say on track to achieve your goals …

Equity release

An equity release arrangement can be a useful option for freeing up some of the money tied up in your home when you need extra cash.

Protection

Making sure that your family is financially secure, whatever challenges life might bring, is important to you.

Company financial planning

Whatever the size or sector of your business, it makes sound business sense to develop and maintain the financial security of the organisation, its directors and employees.

Long term care

As life expectancy increases, so does the number of people who may require long-term care as they grow older.

Retirement planning

When the state pension was introduced in 1908, the average life expectancy was in the mid-40s. Today, the average life expectancy for women is around 82 and 78 for men.

Investment advice

You work hard for your money and you want to put it to work for you too, whether you want to receive the benefits in the short or medium-term or much further ahead.