01 Independent Financial Adviser · Southport

Independent financial advice. Specialist in inheritance tax planning.

Whole-of-market advice on pensions, retirement, investments and protection — with deep expertise in inheritance tax planning, including the April 2027 pension rule change. Based in Southport. Working with families across the UK.

FCA Regulated Whole of market Fees agreed upfront
FCA Regulated 100% Independent Whole-of-market Fees agreed upfront FSCS & FOS protection
02 On YouTube
@johnsykesifa

Practical financial tips, on YouTube.

A growing collection of short, plain-English videos on the financial questions UK taxpayers actually ask — pensions, tax, retirement, ISAs and estate planning. Watch the latest video, or subscribe to follow along.

John Sykes explaining pension tax relief on his YouTube channel LATEST · 2:50 Claim £1000s in Missed Pension Tax Relief (UK Higher-Rate)
03 The April 2027 problem

Pension funds enter your estate. Most families haven't planned for it yet.

From April 2027, most pension funds will count toward your estate for inheritance tax purposes. For larger estates, that can mean a 40% tax bill on money your loved ones were always meant to receive. The good news: there's time to plan — but the window is narrowing.

40%
Standard IHT rate above your nil-rate band
Apr 2027
Pension funds become part of your estate
£325k
Nil-rate band, frozen since 2009
7 yrs
Survive a gift and it falls outside your estate
John Anthony Sykes
Available for new clients
05 About John

Clear advice. Long-term thinking. One point of contact.

I'm an Independent Financial Adviser based in Southport, connected to Fintuity. I work with individuals and families across Merseyside, West Lancashire and the wider UK — providing whole-of-market advice on pensions, retirement, investments, protection and inheritance tax planning.

My approach is straightforward: understand what you're trying to achieve, build a plan that gets you there tax-efficiently, and review it as your life and the rules change. Nothing more complicated than that.

— John
FCA-regulated · Reference JXS00972
Personal Finance Society Qualified Member
Specialist in IHT, pensions and the April 2027 pension changes
Whole-of-market — no tied products, no commission incentives
Fees agreed in writing, upfront, before any work begins
06 How it works

From first conversation to clear recommendations.

A straightforward process designed to help you decide whether to proceed, define the work that needs to be done, and move forward with confidence — with ongoing support available if you want it.

Initial discussion

A free conversation — typically 20 minutes. I want to understand where you are now, what you're trying to achieve, and how I might help. No paperwork, no pressure.

Fact-find meeting

If you decide to go ahead, we meet again to walk through your financial picture, priorities and preferences. By the end, we usually know whether we want to work together.

Building the plan

Once we agree the scope and complete the client agreement, I go away and research thoroughly. I use everything we've discussed to build a plan specific to your situation.

Your recommendations

A clear written report with specific recommendations and the reasoning behind each one. We go through it together, and if you're happy, we move things forward.

After the advice

Ongoing support — because your finances don't stand still.

For clients who want continued support, I offer an ongoing advisory service charged as a percentage of assets under advice. The ongoing fee funds a defined, active service — not just the ability to call me. It reflects my FCA obligation to ensure your advice remains suitable on a continuing basis, and my commitment to be proactive rather than reactive when things change.

Annual review meeting
A structured review to assess progress, update your cashflow model and confirm the plan is still on track.
Ongoing suitability assessment
I actively verify your strategy still matches your circumstances and risk profile — as FCA rules require.
Legislative and tax changes
Pension rules, IHT thresholds and allowances change regularly. I flag the changes that affect you — before the deadline.
Changing circumstances
A new job, inheritance or shift in plans can affect your strategy. Ongoing clients can reach me at any point — not just at review.
"I would recommend him to others with total, 100% confidence."
Dr. Kathryn M. Client · Manchester

"We were unhappy with our previous adviser. After meeting with John, we felt he was a more capable pair of hands."

Anthony M. · Ainsdale

"My wife sadly passed away, and I wanted to set up a trust fund for my stepdaughter. John found a solution that exactly fit my requirements."

Craig F. · South Yorkshire

"I would recommend John to my friends in Formby 100%. He's very helpful, friendly and offers a professional service."

Jo C. · Formby
07 Where I work

Southport-based, working across the UK.

Based in Ainsdale, I work with clients across Southport, Birkdale, Formby, Ormskirk and the wider PR8 and West Lancashire area. For clients further afield, most meetings are on video — same standard of service, more flexible to arrange.

You'll usually find me at Mecycle in Ainsdale, the Tea Rooms in Birkdale, or out walking the dog in the Formby pinewoods.

Areas served
Southport Birkdale Ainsdale Formby Freshfield Ormskirk Burscough Crosby Maghull Skelmersdale UK-wide remote
08 Get started

A clearer financial picture starts with one conversation.

Book a free 20-minute call. No obligation, no jargon — just a straightforward discussion about where you are and what you're trying to achieve.

FCA Regulated · No obligation · Fees agreed upfront before any work begins