Michael Ashcroft, Independent financial adviser

An introduction to Michael Ashcroft

Your career to date?
I spent 25 years in banking before being made redundant in 1990. I moved to financial services in 1991 as a natural progression of being able to try to assist people to achieve financial stability. My main area of business is in the mortgage and related protection areas. For my services I aim to develop long term client relationships. Small/medium cases frequently lead to good quality referrals. My first manager taught me "By the inch it's a cinch, by the yard it's hard".

If you could offer one piece of financial advice to an individual, what would it be and why?
Only deal with an adviser with the relevant qualifications and experience .

Which areas of financial planning do you feel an individual should be addressing in the next 2 years?
Whatever is relevant according to the individual's circumstances at the time.

What is the most common mistake you find individuals make in financial planning?
Believing that jobs for life still exist.

As an independent financial adviser what, for you, are the main benefits of being a part of Honister Partners Ltd?
Being able to share business with colleagues according to our areas of expertise thereby avoiding the risk of offering well intentioned but possibly misleading or inaccurate advice.

Being a member of a large nationally based IFA entity provides access to good quality support facilities from main office and better rates from some product providers.