Independent Investment Advice in Falmouth, Cornwall
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested.
Knowing you have money to invest is one thing – knowing what to do with it is quite another. With so many options available, from ISAs and unit trusts to general investment accounts and platforms, it can be difficult to know where to start, how much risk to take, and whether the choices you’re making are genuinely right for your long-term goals. Without clear, independent advice, it’s easy to end up with investments that don’t reflect your circumstances, carry more risk than you’re comfortable with, or simply underperform over time.
David Medland is a Chartered Financial Planner based in Falmouth with over 15 years’ experience providing independent investment advice to individuals and families across Cornwall. David’s approach to investment planning begins not with products, but with people – taking the time to understand your financial goals, your attitude to risk, your investment timeframe, and your wider financial situation before making any recommendation. As a genuinely independent adviser, David considers investment solutions from across the whole market, ensuring that whatever he recommends is chosen because it is right for you – not because of any tie to a particular provider or platform. Whether you have a lump sum to invest, want to start investing regularly, or are looking to review an existing portfolio, David will provide clear, unbiased guidance every step of the way.
An ISA is a medium to long term investment, which aims to increase the value of the money you invest for growth or income or both. The value of your investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the amount you invested.
Your money should be working as hard as you do - let David make sure it is.
Getting Independent Investment Advice in Falmouth - Here's How It Works
Step 1:
Book Your Free Initial Consultation
The first step is simply to call David and arrange your free, no-obligation initial consultation – either at his Falmouth office or over a Teams call. During this first meeting, David will take the time to get to know you – your financial goals, your current situation, your timeframe, and how you feel about investment risk. There’s no pressure, no jargon, and no obligation to proceed. It’s simply an opportunity to explore whether and how David can help you make more of your money.
Step 2:
We Build a Clear Picture of Your Needs
Once David has a thorough understanding of your goals and circumstances, he will carry out a detailed assessment of your attitude to investment risk and your capacity for financial loss. This ensures that any investment strategy recommended is genuinely aligned with what you’re comfortable with – not just on paper, but in practice. David will also consider your wider financial situation, including your pension, protection arrangements, and tax position, to ensure your investments form part of a coherent overall financial plan rather than existing in isolation.
Step 3:
A Personalised Investment Strategy, Clearly Explained
With a clear picture of your needs, David will research investment solutions from across the market and present you with a personalised recommendation – explained in plain English, with no unnecessary complexity. He will outline the expected risk and return profile of the recommended strategy, the costs involved, and how performance will be monitored over time. Once your investments are in place, David will review them regularly and keep you informed, making adjustments as your goals or circumstances evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a minimum amount to start investing?
No. David is happy to speak with clients at any stage of their investment journey, regardless of the amount they are looking to invest. Whether you have a modest sum to start with or a significant lump sum to deploy, David will assess your situation and provide guidance that is appropriate and proportionate to your circumstances.
What investment options are available?
There is a wide range of investment vehicles available, including Stocks and Shares ISAs, general investment accounts, investment bonds, unit trusts, open-ended investment companies (OEICs), and discretionary managed portfolios, among others. The most appropriate option – or combination of options – will depend on your goals, your tax position, and your investment timeframe. David will explain the options relevant to your situation clearly and in straightforward terms.
What is a Stocks and Shares ISA?
A Stocks and Shares ISA is a tax-efficient investment account that allows you to invest up to £20,000 per year (2024/25 allowance) without paying income tax or capital gains tax on the returns. It is one of the most widely used and accessible investment vehicles available to UK investors and is often a sensible starting point for those new to investing. David can help you make the most of your annual ISA allowance as part of a broader investment strategy.
An ISA is a medium to long term investment, which aims to increase the value of the money you invest for growth or income or both. The value of your investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the amount you invested.
How is my attitude to investment risk assessed?
David uses a structured risk profiling process to assess your attitude to investment risk – considering both your emotional response to the possibility of losses and your practical capacity to absorb them financially. This involves a combination of questionnaire-based tools and open conversation, and the results inform the type of investment strategy that is most appropriate for you. It is not a one-size-fits-all process – David takes the time to ensure the assessment genuinely reflects your individual outlook.
What is the difference between active and passive investing?
Active investing involves fund managers making deliberate decisions about which assets to buy and sell in an attempt to outperform the market. Passive investing, by contrast, involves tracking a market index – aiming to replicate market returns at a lower cost rather than trying to beat them. Both approaches have their merits and their drawbacks, and the right balance for you will depend on your goals, timeframe, and cost sensitivity. David will explain both clearly and help you determine the most appropriate approach.
How are my investments monitored and reviewed?
Once your investments are in place, David will conduct regular reviews – typically annually or more frequently if your circumstances change – to assess performance, ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your goals and risk profile, and make any adjustments that are needed. You will always be kept informed and involved, and David is available to speak with you between reviews if anything changes or if you have questions or concerns.
How are investment charges structured?
Investment charges typically include the cost of the investment products themselves (such as fund charges), the cost of the platform used to hold your investments, and David’s adviser charge – which will always be agreed with you upfront before any work begins. David is fully transparent about costs and will ensure you understand the total charges associated with any recommended solution before you make any commitment.
Is now a good time to invest?
This is one of the most common questions David receives – and the honest answer is that timing the market perfectly is something that even professional fund managers consistently fail to do. For most investors with a medium to long-term timeframe, the evidence strongly suggests that time in the market matters far more than timing the market. David will help you approach investment with a clear strategy and realistic expectations, rather than trying to second-guess short-term market movements.