Business Protection & Planning

The loss of a key individual can have a massive impact on the continuation and future survival of a business and is considered to be one of the top 3 risks faced by business owners (along with major contract loss and suffering a critical illness).  59% owners say they would cease trading within 12 months of losing a key person.  And 53% business owners say COVID-19 has made them more likely to consider protection. *

We’ve tried to avoid using statistics like this on our website (they soon go out of date and create extra work to refresh!), however of all the services we provide it’s the protection needs of our corporate clients which give us most cause for concern.  In this area we therefore believe we’re justified in relying on such industry data to illustrate the need for action.

* State of the nation’s SME report, Legal & General, December 2021

 

Sole traders


There are cost effective solutions if you find yourself unable to work due to illness or injury or worse, die prematurely.

Straightforward policies provide money to ensure we have the means to meet our commitments and can carry on.  The priority is often the repayment of personal borrowing (a mortgage), any business related loans and then the provision of an income should sickness or injury result in long term absence from the business.

Call us to chat through ideas on making your business that little bit more secure . . .

 

Partners


The saying is that the worst ship on the seas is a partnership!

This may not be true whilst business is going well, however even the best relationship will be tested should one of the partners be unable to work through ill health or worse, die.  This will inevitably put pressure on the remaining partners to generate enough income to provide not only for themselves but also their absent partner.

Life assurance and sickness policies provide straightforward and cost effective (tax deductible) solutions and together with an appropriate Business Will, or Partnership Agreement ensure continuity of the business in the event of a partner being unable to carry on.

Call us! We’re experienced at developing such conversations with the partners in the business . . . 

 

Key Personnel & Directors


The success of most businesses relies on the skill, knowledge and expertise of certain individuals.  Such key people may not necessarily be the owners or Directors and a robust business plan should assess the impact of losing a key person.  Specific insurance can be arranged to enable the business to continue should such a person become long term absent, or die prematurely.  Such policies are owned by, and provide for the business.

By nature we’re positive thinkers but let us ask you those difficult “What If!” questions . . .

 

Shareholders


The protection of shareholders is intended to provide the remaining owners of a limited company with the capital to purchase the shares of a co-owner should that person be unable to carry on in their role through long term absence or premature death.

We’d be delighted to join you at a Board meeting to develop thoughts on how best protect the asset you’re building . . .

 

Employee Benefits


An employee benefits scheme can help to attract, retain and develop the very best talent in your sector.

Successful firms speak about the values on which the business has been built and will often include their commitment to the peace of mind and financial security of their people.  At a relatively modest cost these values can be demonstrated by providing employees with benefits such as:

  • Death in Service
  • Workplace pensions
  • Income protection
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Worksite Mortgage & Advice Clinics
  • Health & Welfare Benefits
  • Staff Discounts

Whilst advice is provided to you as the employer, our role often develops to become an extension of the HR Team as we liaise with staff over the benefits available.  We recognise this and remain ever mindful to reinforce the commitment of the company and the real value of the benefits on offer.

For thoughts and ideas on a cost-effective package that puts your people at the heart of what you do . . .

 

Pensions & Retirement


Retirement planning for our business owners includes:

  • Compliance with legislation in the provision of work site pensions.
  • Bespoke directors pension planning, including the use of all reliefs and allowances.
  • Self-investment opportunities via SIPP’s.
  • Succession planning.
  • Corporate wills and legal agreements.

Forward looking planning to secure your lifestyle aspirations . . .

 

On Going Service


Understanding your requirements for ‘on-going service’ is another key element of the retirement planning process and will change as you progress through the different stages of your life.

Our introductory, ‘Creation’ service may be appropriate at the earliest stages of creating a pension and / or investment portfolio.  Often your priorities will relate more so on building the business and creating a secure personal situation and our annual planning meeting is focused on these needs and objectives together with pension portfolio updates and further funding opportunities.

As the business continues to grow, our ‘Progression’ service may become appropriate when we‘ll focus on the pensions (and other investments) being managed by Chester Partnership. Again this service is based on an annual, forward looking update meeting when we enhance the earlier Creation type service with a greater emphasis on setting objectives together with milestone events and the correction of any identified shortfalls in the plan (whilst there is still time to make a difference!).

The ‘Realisation’ service is appropriate when the business has reached maturity and you’ve been able to create a pension and investment portfolio that can reasonably be considered to be ‘significant’.  Such wealth brings greater choice and flexibility.  There will be a wider range of tax considerations.  Succession planning and inter-generational planning is often involved. We’ll consider the use of cashflow modelling to create highly developed plans to ensure capital and / or income is available at set milestone events.  We’ll do more work collaboratively with your other professional advisers and where appropriate, with our specialist colleagues.

As ever, our corporate on-going services have been designed with you in mind and we can tailor the level of service to suit your current life stage.

A plan is only a plan when it is monitored and maintained, call us to discuss your requirements . . .

Please be aware:

The value of pensions and the income they produce can fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you invested.

Employee benefits are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Auto Enrolment & Will Writing are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Will writing is not part of the Quilter Financial Planning offering and is offered in our own right. Quilter Financial Planning accept no responsibility for this aspect of our business.

 

Our top tip...

  • Insurers pay out £13.9m per day in income protection, critical illness cover and life assurance
  • 97.8% of claims made across group and individual protection are paid
  • £340 million increase year-on-year

Source ABI – 30th April 2018

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