020 8542 8084 |info@solomonsifa.co.uk
FacebookLinkedInInstagram

New from us, general communications and announcements as well as notifications about client magazine.

In-person meetings are back!

Jemima Thomas 
Post written: Aug 2026  •  Published: Aug 2026
2 min read

In-person meetings are back!

We’ve noticed more and more of you are choosing to meet with us in person at our Cobham office – and we couldn’t be happier. After all, it’s always better to see you in person than through a screen!

After chatting with clients who’ve made the trip, one thing has become clear: there’s real value in getting together face-to-face. So, we thought we’d share a little summary of why we think it’s worth it.

The feedback has been fantastic. Clients have told us that in-person meetings feel more productive, more relaxed and often more focused. We can explore ideas in greater depth, answer questions as they come up and leave with everyone on the same page. Sometimes we get through more than we expected… and sometimes we realise less is needed. Either way, it’s time well spent.

We know life is busy; your time is valuable; and sometimes a quick Zoom or Teams call is exactly what’s needed. We’re always happy to meet that way when it’s the most convenient option.

But if you can make it into the office, we really do think it’s worth it.

Some things simply can’t be replicated on a video call. There’s a different energy when you’re sitting around the same table. Conversations flow more naturally, ideas bounce around more freely and it’s often easier to pick up on the little things that make a big difference. It’s also a great opportunity to strengthen relationships and have the kind of conversations that aren’t always comfortable online.

And let’s be honest … we’ve all been there. The “Can you hear me?” moments. Someone’s frozen mid-sentence. The internet drops out. You’re talking on mute for two minutes before anyone notices. Meeting in person means none of that – just good conversation and productive time together.

If you haven’t visited us before, we’d love to welcome you to our Cobham office. We’ll make sure the coffee is on, you’re well looked after and you have everything you need for a productive meeting.

Whether you choose to meet online or in person, we’re here to make things as easy as possible. But if you have the opportunity to visit us, we’d love to see you!

Have a question or feedback about this article?

Please share this with a friend

In-person meetings are back!2026-08-07T14:21:56+01:00

How Was it for You? My First Podcast Interview

Dominic Thomas
Post written: March 2026  •  Updated: June 2026
3 min read

How Was it for You? My First Podcast Interview

I was asked to do a podcast interview for Adviser 3.0, which is a podcast aimed at financial planners, so a relatively small audience. I was concerned that I wouldn’t have much to say of value, which gave me some anxiety about how I might be received by my peers. I don’t run the biggest or most profitable firm, I don’t have ambitions to conquer the UK or have any brilliant new technology to offer. I don’t have a book, podcast or software to promote, I am not the most qualified or revered expert, I have a track record, experience and yet still make mistakes, still face struggles, still fail to have brilliant answers to age old problems. So a sense of vulnerability through exposure provided me with a sense of “I have little of new value to contribute”. The fact that I verbalised this to the team at Adviser 3.0 was met with reassurance, but if I’m honest, didn’t negate the feelings. So I was curious about how things would go.

Imposter Syndrome – But I’m Still A Work In Progress

The interview was OK, it wasn’t designed to be interrogatory, or particularly investigative. I am not good at assessing my own performance, I can assure you that I have no harsher critic than myself, I know what I can be capable of and am often disappointed by the reality.

The experience was a new one for me, held in a proper Shoreditch studio, with a technician, but also being filmed. I quickly appreciated what I knew to be true, (but had not experienced) that this isn’t normal discourse, where ideas and thoughts are exchanged back and forwards across a table, but the requirement for precision, clarity of thought and structure. I’m not media trained.

As topics were raised, I responded in the moment as best I could, but was conscious of lacking a sharpness that is often desired for these things. I moderated my tone and language (or tried to) with the aim of drawing others in rather than being confrontational and abrasive to prompt response (which is my default setting). On reflection, it felt as though each subject was very lightly touched upon, I didn’t make enough of them and I felt that I’d been a bit too lightweight. I didn’t provide enough “a-ha” moments or friction and to be honest, to me everything is connected – money, power, culture, technology, the planet and our own human need to make sense of things. I felt that I wasn’t feisty or provocative enough.

On reflection, (which for me means a disturbed night of little sleep, waking at 4am to ponder getting up to reflect more formally) I found myself wishing that I had made some better choices about what was said, phrased things better, offered up better examples and personalised the challenges rather more. I wish my mind was not so full (or scattered) that I couldn’t readily recall the material that supported my positions, or the anecdotes and metaphors that may have helped add weight and colour.

Controversy Gets Attention

It wasn’t a bad experience, it was “OK enough”. It’s not going to be a hugely successful podcast for them (if they deem it fit to even use it).  I understand why controversy works. Like all skills, I need more practice and unfortunately that means more work, a lot of it, on the way I do these things. My ego will take a few dents and some will attempt to be reassuring and kind. I know I can do better and it’s important to me, because my clients and team are important to me. I want to be clear in communicating; genuinely listening properly, deeply and helping to shape thoughts and hopes whilst acknowledging fears, reality and uncertainty. As I knew would be the case, I reaffirmed that I have much to improve upon.

So this is the start of that. You can view the interview here if you wish, the podcast is not designed for clients, but for advisers, helping us all do a better job for you. Iron sharpening iron and all that. As a result, it’s loaded with assumptions, jargon and sector hot topics that are naturally unhelpful or at least not terribly interesting. So it’s a bit “behind the curtain” with mainly practical issues that challenge those of us in the field.

Video embedded link (provided by Timeline):

References:

Adviser 3.0 Podcast: https://adviser3point0.co/podcast

What do we do: https://www.solomonsifa.co.uk/what-we-do/

Who we work with: https://www.solomonsifa.co.uk/refer-us/

Have a question or feedback about this article?

Please share this with a friend

How Was it for You? My First Podcast Interview2026-06-19T15:46:32+01:00

Do I have enough? Reflections on Adviser 3.0

Matt Loadwick
Post written: May 2026  •  Published: May 2026
2 min read

Do I have enough? Reflections on Adviser 3.0

Last week I attended Timeline’s Adviser 3.0 conference along with Daniel & Jemima. I also attended the conference last year, in what was my first experience of a financial services industry conference. I was pleasantly surprised by the brightness and energy of the event (it was ‘carnival’ themed after all…) and this year was a similarly vibrant occasion!

We had the privilege of attending some thought-provoking talks from industry leaders, kicked off with Morgan Housel, the author of Psychology of Money (Dominic has handed out a good few copies of this book and we have some left – so please email [email protected] if you would like a free copy – it’s a good read!).

Morgan’s focus is on how human behaviour affects financial outcomes, as opposed to thinking of finance as a science. He’s an excellent communicator, utilising the art of storytelling to get across his sharp and incisive points. Reflecting on his session, one of the points that resonated with me was the poignant question put to the audience, “do I have enough?”

This hugely important question is key to financial success, and our satisfaction with life itself. Morgan sees this reflection as something that should be exercised regularly. It is not some state of enlightenment that we all reach (as great as that would be); rather it’s an ongoing process of reflection, a process that I intend to do more regularly!

With a view to helping advisers connect better with potential clients of all ages, Dr Paul Redmond delivered an insightful and entertaining talk about generations – from Baby Boomers all the way through to Generation Alpha (who have now been succeeded by Generation Beta).

Dr Redmond sought to highlight common trends in each generation, things that arise through shared experiences of technology, culture or societal expectations; all of which are, of course, forever evolving. I was particularly struck by his assertion that in a world where technology has become ever-present, we have lost the experience of boredom, which has in turn had a negative impact on our attention span. The line from Dr Redmond’s slide said rather neatly, “A wealth of information leads to a poverty of attention. Attention is our biggest barrier to success.”

I came away from the conference feeling inspired and full of ideas, which is exactly what you’d hope for from an event such as this. The financial services industry doesn’t always have the best reputation, but the best of the industry offers some excellent people full of bright ideas, who give cause for optimism about the future.

Have a question or feedback about this article?

Please share this with a friend

Do I have enough? Reflections on Adviser 3.02026-05-22T15:11:52+01:00

Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube?

Debbie Harris 
April 2026  •  2 min read

Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube?

I spotted a video on social media recently posted by Guinness World Records where a group of people from Hong Kong were building the world’s largest Rubik’s Cube.

Fascinating though it was (I was riveted!), I did have to chuckle at the pointlessness of it – what on earth is the use of making a giant Rubik’s Cube that requires at least four people to move the pieces and solve it … surely the beauty of the ‘simple’ Rubik’s Cube is that you can hold it in your hand and complete it at your leisure.

[Side note – you may also have seen children as young as nine or ten attempting to break the ‘fastest solve’ world record too – they do it in less than 10 seconds! I am embarrassed to admit that I have never ONCE in my life even completed the Cube, so these folk – with their youthful dexterous digits – have my utmost respect!]

Anyway – back to my point about the seemingly pointless ‘scaling’ up of this particular project – it caused me to reflect on ‘growth’ in general.

As you know, Solomon’s has been ‘growing’ over recent years and we appreciate that some clients may be wondering whether our service standards will drop; whether we will become more automated; whether we’ll lose the personal touch (that we and you value greatly).

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that we have not ‘scaled at speed’ – our growth has been steady and organic; which has enabled us to maintain all the best bits of what we do here.

We can all probably attest to the fact that firms scaling up usually end up losing some things but gaining others and I am very proud of the fact that here at Solomon’s we are working really hard to ensure that our growth has been thoughtfully and carefully managed so that you (our clients) remain at the very heart of everything we do.

The proof in the pudding is ultimately whether or not you have noticed any changes for the worse – if you have, this would be incredibly useful feedback for us – so do please drop us a line.

We are continuing to grow – steadily and mindfully – as we are looking to serve clients for generations to come.

If you can think of anyone who might benefit from having a conversation with us about their financial planning – please do send them our way.

Can you solve a Rubik’s Cube?2026-04-02T10:16:51+01:00

Could You Provide a Review?

Jemima Thomas
Dec 2025  •  1 min read

Google review – it ain’t sexy

I’m afraid this now may seem like ‘old news’, but we’re going to keep asking!

As one of our past Spotlight contributors pointed out ‘people would rather talk about their sex life than their financial life’ and so knowing this, we understand and accept that recommending us isn’t easy.

We know it’s hard for you to make a referral, we are keen to provide you with a variety of ways to do this that are less ‘blatant’. One way you can do this is to spend a few moments of your time providing a Google review. It’s a small, yet strong and effective way to help us and our Team here. It’s potentially a risky one from our perspective – we can’t edit what you say about us, but ultimately, we trust our clients (you) and are confident that our services are of a high enough standard that would reflect positively in Google review form! If you’d rather not add any comments, you can still provide a review by simply rating us with stars!

Please note that if your comments or ratings include any ‘negatives’, we will be in touch privately to see whether there are any changes we can make.  It is always our aim to make your experience and relationship with us better. As ever, we want to improve what we do and how we do it and to ensure that our services are ‘five star’ (the Google stars are simply a nice touch to reaffirm that we are doing a great job for you!).

We also have a section in our website called “Refer Us” (found here) which provides you with a sense of the sort of people we work for.  Dominic is keen to continue growing the business and ensuring that consistent advice is provided by all our advisers (a growing team designed with a long-term view in mind). In short, we have capacity and want to help more people like you.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with joy and warmth. Thank you for being a part of our community—your support is truly appreciated!

Could You Provide a Review?2026-03-24T16:28:23+00:00

Why verify my identity when I want my money?

Dominic Thomas
Aug 2025  •  1 min read

Why verify my identity when I want my money?

Scams do not really rely on amazing technology; they rely on human behaviour. Most scams are confidence tricks, luring someone into a false sense of security. This is invariably pretending to be something or someone that they are not.

When you ask to withdraw money from your investment or pension, this is something that we really should know about in advance – after all it should be an expected and planned withdrawal. However, life doesn’t always go to plan and sometimes we find ourselves doing things we didn’t expect – a decision to spend a significant sum on a lovely motor car, moving house and wanting a new kitchen quickly or an emergency of some sort.

We will call you to clarify a few details, things that others would not know. We attempt to do our best to ensure that you are not under duress, from a criminal or indeed a friend or family member who may be coercing you into giving them money.

It may feel impertinent of us, but I can assure you that this is not the intention, but simply to safely protect you from fraud. We are, in many respects, your last line of defence.

Emotionally charged calls or conversations are not always all that they appear to be. Have a look at this video showing how a scammer uses the “stress and distraction” of a baby whilst sounding very warm and genuine at the same time. However, this is all made rather easy due to the technology now widely available. This doesn’t even begin to address the issue of AI where it is relatively easy to mimic you or your loved ones in both voice and appearance.

The answer, sadly, is that we might need you to provide a safe word or phrase.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKrTuv0CicF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Why verify my identity when I want my money?2025-08-08T16:23:49+01:00

Setting Sail for (un)Chartered Territory

Daniel Liddicott
June 2025  •  2 min read

Setting Sail for (un) Chartered Territory

Throughout my time at Solomon’s, learning has been one of my primary objectives. When first starting on the journey of becoming an adviser (which now feels like a lifetime ago) this was, of course, an absolute necessity. To ‘learn the ropes’, so to speak.

“Learning the ropes” is a phrase that has its origin in sailing. Each sail has its own set of lines (or “ropes”) and knowing which rope did what was crucial for managing the ship effectively. Sailors had to know this to perform their duties successfully, becoming familiar with the vast and complex network of rigging used to control the ship.

We often talk about having “different levers to pull” when considering your financial plans and the best options available to you. Taking pension income as an example, pulling one lever i.e., taking income by one method can have a vastly different outcome from using another method. We help you navigate your way through the complexities of income tax laws to help to keep your financial plan on course.

Anyway, I digress…

Advisers are always learning. Not least due to the many alterations to regulations and tax law that seem to occur with each passing Budget, but also to continually improve and build upon our knowledge. I have now begun a new journey – the journey to become a Chartered Financial Planner.

This, as before, entails a whole new set of exams and accompanying textbooks that would be fit to anchor the Icon of the Seas cruise ship (no sails on that one!). As you might expect, the process is not a quick one. I am anticipating the exams taking two years to complete at a minimum.

Fortunately, my thirst for knowledge has not waned and embarking on this voyage has been something that I have been keen to do since originally qualifying as an adviser. Some would say that I am a glutton for punishment but, thankfully, the thirst for knowledge appears to be a common trait amongst the wider adviser crew.

No more ships or sailing puns, I promise!

Setting Sail for (un)Chartered Territory2025-06-26T09:46:58+01:00

What do you need from us?

Debbie Harris 
July 2024  •  3 min read

What do you need from us?

I had a really interesting email conversation with a client today following their recent annual review meeting with one of our advisers here at Solomon’s.  I asked him some questions and encouraged him to give his opinions about our process and it was very helpful feedback indeed.

We have been working to improve our review process and will likely be implementing some changes in the coming months.  As I said to him; we want this to be client-led and frankly we only want to introduce new things if you (our clients) want/need them!

So I would encourage you to tell us –

~  do you like the fact that each annual review looks and feels the same in terms of structure and content?

~  would you like them to feel different each time (perhaps focussing on different / specific things)?

~  do you like the presentation you receive?

~  would you prefer to have more contact with us before the meeting so that we can update your figures and give you an opportunity to help us formulate the agenda based on your priorities and concerns?

~  do you wish the meetings were shorter? Longer? More frequent?

~  would you like the meetings to feel less structured or do you like that there is a clear plan of action in terms of what is covered?

We absolutely want to hear from you – it’s important that we know what YOU would like those meetings to look like; so that we can do better …

Why are review meetings so important?

In the realm of financial planning, review meetings serve as pivotal moments where financial advisers have the opportunity to understand client needs and develop meaningful relationships.  Our clients come with a variety of expectations, and we try and meet these effectively.

Research indicates that people primarily seek advisers who are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and good listeners (what I would call ‘no-brainers’).  Digging a little deeper however reveals that clients also look for personalised advice that caters to their unique financial situation.  They want the usual discussions around retirement and investments; but also they are looking to enhance their own financial literacy and develop good habits.

The evolving landscape of client-adviser interactions suggests a shift towards more holistic financial planning – which is what we have been offering for many years. This includes discussions on later life care, health, housing, and other aspects of life that directly impact your ‘financial wellbeing’.

People want a financial adviser who not only provides expert financial guidance but also takes the time to understand and incorporate personal values and life goals into the financial planning process.  For the team here at Solomon’s … we want to exceed your expectations on this – leading to better and more meaningful relationships with you.

So we urge you … please let us know your answer to the question “what do you need from us?” (or – if it’s easier … “what DON’T you need from us?”)

What do you need from us?2025-01-28T10:02:33+00:00

Daniel Liddicott – The Trainee Financial Adviser

Daniel Liddicott 
Aug 2022  •  1 min read

Daniel Liddicott – Trainee Financial Adviser…

Here is a video, filmed last year, giving a bit of an insight into my journey to Solomon’s via the world of private healthcare. In the video I share a little of my experience from my previous job and what I enjoyed, as well as explaining my route to becoming a fully qualified financial planner. Whilst my role is ever changing (even since having filmed this video!), I also describe how I have integrated with the team and continued to learn along the way.

GET IN TOUCH

Solomon’s Independent Financial Advisers
The Old Mill Cobham Park Road, COBHAM Surrey, KT11 3NE

Email – [email protected]    Call – 020 8542 8084

7 QUESTIONS, NO WAFFLE

Are we a good fit for you?

Take Survey

PRIVACY POLICY  |  DATA PROTECTION

Daniel Liddicott – The Trainee Financial Adviser2025-02-10T16:55:42+00:00

New horizons

Sam Harris 
May 2022  •  2 min read

New kid on the block

I often find it perplexing how time seems to pass dynamically dependent on various factors … whether it be mood, environment, activity or age.

Over the past five months it feels as though I’ve been living on fast forward, and that’s definitely not a bad thing.  As the new kid on the block at Solomon’s, it’s been a steep learning curve with bundles of processes to get to grips with across a multitude of platforms and whilst it has been a challenge; the time has gone by in the blink of an eye.  In this case, it really is an indicator of how great the rest of the team here has been. Whenever I have a query or need assistance, there’s always someone on hand to give me a nudge in the right direction. I genuinely can’t think of enough superlatives to sound my appreciation to these guys for how amazing and supportive they have been since I started here.  They set a great example as well; they all take such pride in the work that they do and it makes each of us want to do better.

Up until this point, I have mainly been doing relatively basic admin tasks, but I am now gradually taking on more challenging projects and I have recently been involved in creating specialised calculators for our use and in assisting with the processing of new business.  The difficult nature of some of these tasks has really helped me ‘kick on’, and I love having the opportunity to demonstrate my skills, as I confess to being quite a competitive person in just about everything I do!

As my familiarity with these projects and processes improves, in time I’ll be able to embrace more demanding duties, and hopefully will be part of the creative processes here that help us discover ways to refine and streamline our existing procedures; which in turn will benefit our clients across the board.

One of the best things about the team ethic here is that everyone at Solomon’s is encouraged to bring up and talk about ways to improve what we do for our clients and this is quintessential for a modern operation.  Feeling valued by the people I work with, also serves to reinforce my belief that my early experience of Solomon’s is one of the best opportunities I have had – and I hope to be a part of this team for many years to come.

New horizons2024-10-21T09:51:19+01:00

LOCATION

Solomon’s
The Old Mill
Cobham Park Road
Cobham
Surrey
KT11 3NE

OTHER

Home
FAQ
Careers
Financial Services Sector
Press & Media
Privacy Policy

CONTACT

[email protected]
020 8542 8084

Go to Top