Simon Weeks

Founder & Director

01962 458 121 simon.weeks@red7fm.com

Professionally...

Simon started Red 7 Financial Management in order to deliver what he knows to be the most important part of financial planning; spending more time working with his clients and making a real difference to their lives.

After completing an Economics degree in 2000, Simon knew he wanted to work in finance. He started working life at HSBC in a technical pensions role, then moved on to consultancy roles in London. It was here that Simon developed a real desire to start providing proper financial planning advice to clients as a financial adviser.

In 2004 he collaboratively set up a financial planning and accountancy firm, which grew successfully. Simon advised a wide range of business and private clients on financial planning matters, as well as their personal and business tax affairs.

However, as the business grew, he found he was spending less and less time with his clients. Determined to put people first, Simon started Red 7 Financial Management in 2015. He is dedicated to delivering a consistently personal service to each and every client, equipped with the extensive knowledge and experience he has gained in the industry over the past 18 years.

Personally...

Outside work, Simon enjoys playing golf, football and running to keep fit. He can often be found providing a taxi service for his two young daughters, enjoying good food with a glass of red or over at St Mary’s watching Southampton play football.

Importantly...

All financial advisers in the UK must be registered on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and hold a valid Statement of Professional Standing (SPS). In an age where financial scams pose a real threat, it’s important to make sure you don’t take financial advice from anyone who doesn’t appear on the FCA Register or hold a valid SPS.

You can view Simon’s entry on the FCA Register by clicking here.

You can view Simon’s SPS by clicking here.

Qualifications:
Diploma in Financial Planning
Financial Planning Certificate
Award in Pensions Update
Certificate in Mortgage Advice
Award in Long Term Care Insurance

Examinations:
AF1 - Personal Tax and Trust Planning. This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.

AF7 - Pension Transfers. This examination assesses the candidate's specialist knowledge and skills needed for advising on the transfer of safeguarded benefits.

CF1 - UK Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics. This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK financial services industry, the different asset classes and product types plus various rules and legislation governing the UK financial services industry.

CF3 - Financial Protection. This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of financial protection plans.

CF4 - Retirement Planning. This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the various pension products, the pension tax regime and retirement needs.

CF5 - Integrated Financial Planning. This examination assesses ability to apply knowledge of the financial services industry and its regulation.

CF6 - Certificate in Mortgage Advice. This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, mortgage products, repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.

CF8 - Certificate in Financial Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance. This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long term care insurance products and the giving of long term care insurance advice.

CF9 - Pensions Simplification. This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the Government’s simplified pension taxation regime which came into full effect on 6 April 2006 (A-Day). Eight tax regimes for pensions were reduced to one, radically affecting planning and transactions.

FP1 - Financial Services and their Regulation.

FP2 - Protection, Savings and Investment Products.

FP3 - Identifying and Satisfying Client Needs.

G10 - Taxation and Trusts. This examination assessed a knowledge and understanding of the UK tax system, the law and practice of trusts, but also an ability to advise individual clients on the tax treatment of their investments and the use of trusts to meet their current and foreseeable future needs.

G60 - Pensions. This examination enhanced general pension knowledge, particularly in pension transfers and opt-out business.

R08 - Pensions Update. This examination focused on pension reforms and how they affect advice.

What do our clients have to say?

I was recommended to Simon when I moved from London to Hampshire around 10 years ago. I wanted top quality financial advice across both my highly intertwined business and personal/family lives, able to be delivered often face to face without too much travel effort. My needs started with tax management advice but quickly spread to how to fund a house purchase and renovation, and then my children’s education. As I reach my mid-50s, the questions have been more to do with pension, London property and my family investment portfolio. Simon has been beside me all that way. Why? Well, professionally, because he knows his subject, is always well prepared, can explain things quickly and clearly, and is sensible and sincere in his advice. When occasionally I have questioned him toughly, he has proved his advice can withstand that. So, I have learned to trust his recommendations, which always save me time, stress and help me to be financially well prepared. On a personal level, it is always nice to see him as he is friendly, tries really hard to help and makes all his clients, however unimportant in terms of fees, feel looked after and valued. Trust him, it’ll be worth it.

James, from St Marybourne

We have used Simon for around 10 years. We started from a point where retirement was a scary thought which we could never afford. Working with Simon we put a plan together and now we feel that financially the future is much clearer. Simon is not one for fancy high risk instant results; he has always made this clear and in the process has steered us away from several ‘get rich quick’ schemes that have tempted us.

Mike, from Whitchurch

We were looking to invest a windfall for the long term in a tax-efficient way so that it could provide additional support to our disabled child in the future. Simon arranged a plan that provides for this and also combined our various pension schemes onto a consolidated platform. This enables accurate cash flow modelling that would not be possible with a variety of scattered funds. Our regular reviews have been invaluable in reducing any financial uncertainty and concern. Simon has arranged life cover offering greater value for money and with premiums paid directly from my company, effectively reducing the cost.

John, from Godalming

I have been working with Simon for a number of years now and have come to really value his financial planning advice. He first helped me to invest the money I made from selling my business and since then he has continued to advise my husband and I on all aspects of our financial and retirement planning. Simon brings a well-informed, balanced perspective to our financial decision-making that is always reassuring.

Rachel, from Richmond-Upon-Thames

We originally contacted Simon shortly after we married, as we had a diverse portfolio which was proving difficult to manage. Simon helped us to clarify our investment aims for growth and income over our working lives and into retirement, providing the information we needed to select the appropriate risk strategy for our investments. Our portfolio is now well structured and easy to manage, together with regular updates on the value. Simon meets with us at least once a year to discuss our portfolio, is always well informed, providing us with appropriate advice and information to make any decisions.

William, from Southampton