Background
Parkgate Financial Solutions have been trading since 1996.
The company was re-launched in July 2009, following the resignation of one of the Partners.
Jim Gibbons, one of the founder members, felt it appropriate to completely overhaul the client service proposition and the business model in order to operate on the premise of being highly skilled relationship managers.

Jim's Comments
“My feelings are that our clients need to see an adviser face to face on a regular basis, in order for us to retain a strong customer relationship.
We do not consider ourselves stock pickers; let the fund managers do that; we all must concentrate on what we are best at.
To this end we have written processes for all transactions of advice and administration.
In addition, we have developed a robust management Information system and reporting regime that keeps track of our Key Performance Indicators.
Our philosophy is to invest our client’s money through model portfolios put together by fund specialists and Discretionary Fund Managers via Wrap Platforms”.

Service

The client service offered by Parkgate Financial Solutions comes with three different charging levels and review frequencies. This enables clients and potential clients to make a distinction between Parkgate Financial Solutions and our competitors. Clients will also then have the clarity of exactly what to expect from Parkgate Financial Solutions when they engage with us.

Structure

Financial advice is provided by James Gibbons, Advising Principal of the company, and also by David Wardle who is an Independent Financial Adviser.

Our practice management and IT capability is of an extremely high standard, we have a very strong team headed up by the Practice Manager, Christine Townsend.

Information Technology is managed by Gary Cooper. Gary has been highly influential to the business and by applying his skills and knowledge; he has improved and brought our systems to the forefront of technology. The software and processing used is establishing Parkgate Financial Solutions as fore runners in the financial services industry.

Sales support is provided by Kathi Leggett and Deborah Carruthers. Kathi and Debbie are the first point of contact when clients telephone the office and they are always willing to help clients whenever possible.

Dedicated paraplanning is conducted by John Cadwallader.

We have also engaged an outside Business Adviser, Tony McGuire of Opal Consulting.
This has been vital in pushing forward our new business model and service proposition, whilst working very closely with our internal management team in contributing to the installation of improved disciplines and structure.

Whilst we pay very close attention to compliance and risk assessment in the company, we also concentrate very closely on our profit margin.

To remain profitable, we have a very close x-ray of our financial information and statistics, which is updated weekly and therefore, can be assessed at any time.

Jim's Final Words

“The ambition for this firm is not to just sustain but to grow.
I also believe that growth does not necessarily mean employing a large number of advisers, it’s about employing the right quality of advisers and having the ability to maximise our existing resources and having the courage to keep to our conviction of a strong compliance and processing philosophy”.

Bright Future
If you are an IFA and you think you have got the drive and ambition to be part of the Parkgate Financial Solutions team you can send us your details using the form below: