About freshen-glow

Building retirement confidence through expert guidance and personalised planning

Our Story

freshen-glow was founded in 2008 by a small group of pension specialists who shared a common frustration. They'd spent years working within large financial institutions and witnessed firsthand how retirement planning had become unnecessarily complicated, filled with jargon, hidden fees, and generic advice that rarely matched individual circumstances.

The founding vision was straightforward: create a practice that puts clients' needs first, explains things in plain language, and provides genuinely personalised retirement strategies. What started as a modest office in London with three advisors has grown into a respected practice serving clients across the United Kingdom.

Despite our growth, we've maintained the principles that guided us from the start. Every client receives the same attention and personalised service, whether they're just beginning to think about retirement or are already navigating their pension options.

Our Mission

To empower individuals to approach retirement with confidence by providing clear, honest, and personalised pension guidance that addresses their unique circumstances and aspirations.

Our Vision

A future where everyone has access to retirement planning advice they can understand and trust, enabling them to make informed decisions about their financial security.

Our Core Values

Integrity

We provide honest advice even when it's not in our immediate financial interest. If consolidating your pensions isn't right for you, we'll tell you. If you're already on track for retirement, we'll confirm it rather than selling unnecessary services.

Clarity

Pension planning involves complex regulations, but our explanations don't need to be. We translate industry jargon into language you can understand, ensuring you know exactly what you're deciding.

Expertise

Retirement planning regulations change frequently. We invest heavily in ongoing training and professional development to ensure our advice reflects current legislation and best practices.

Dedication

Your retirement matters to us. We take the time to understand your situation properly, answer your questions thoroughly, and remain available as your circumstances evolve.

Our Team

Our advisors bring decades of combined experience in pension planning, retirement strategies, and financial guidance. What sets them apart isn't just their qualifications, but their genuine commitment to helping you achieve retirement security.

Sarah Mitchell

Founding Director

Sarah established freshen-glow after fifteen years advising clients at major financial institutions. She specialises in complex pension arrangements and has helped hundreds of clients navigate defined benefit transfer decisions.

James Crawford

Senior Retirement Advisor

James focuses on retirement income planning, helping clients understand how to convert their pension savings into sustainable income streams. He's particularly skilled at explaining tax-efficient withdrawal strategies.

Catherine Reynolds

Pension Consolidation Specialist

Catherine helps clients make sense of multiple pension pots accumulated throughout their careers. Her detailed analysis has identified significant savings opportunities for numerous clients.

Michael Thompson

Retirement Planning Advisor

Michael works primarily with clients approaching retirement, helping them understand their options and create realistic plans. His calm, patient approach puts even the most anxious clients at ease.

Qualifications & Accreditations

Our advisors hold the highest professional qualifications in financial planning and pension advice. All team members maintain:

Professional Certifications

Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) qualifications including Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and advanced certificates in pension planning.

Regulatory Authorisation

Full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to provide pension advice and retirement planning services.

Continuous Development

Ongoing professional development through regular training, industry conferences, and advanced study to stay current with pension legislation changes.

Professional Indemnity

Comprehensive professional indemnity insurance providing you with financial protection should any advice fall short of professional standards.

Key Milestones

2008

Foundation

freshen-glow established with a mission to provide clear, honest retirement planning advice.

2011

Expansion

Team grows to ten advisors as client base expands across Southern England.

2015

National Reach

Begin serving clients throughout the United Kingdom through a combination of in-person and remote consultations.

2019

Milestone Achievement

Reach 2,000 clients served and £150 million in pensions reviewed.

2023

Recognition

Named among the UK's most trusted retirement planning practices by industry publications.

What Makes Us Different

Independence Matters

We're not owned by a bank, insurance company, or pension provider. This independence means we can recommend the best solutions for your situation without pressure to favour particular products or providers.

No Hidden Agendas

Our fee structure is transparent. We explain exactly what you'll pay and what you'll receive in return. There are no commission arrangements that might influence our recommendations.

Beyond the Numbers

Retirement planning isn't purely mathematical. We consider your personal circumstances, family situation, health considerations, and life goals. The best financial plan on paper means nothing if it doesn't support the retirement you actually want.

Staying Connected

We don't disappear after creating your initial plan. Life changes, regulations evolve, and markets fluctuate. We're here to adjust your strategy as needed throughout your retirement journey.

Our Commitment to You

When you work with freshen-glow, you can expect:

  • Honest, straightforward advice delivered in language you understand
  • A personalised retirement strategy based on your specific circumstances
  • Transparent fees with no hidden charges or surprise costs
  • Prompt responses to your questions and concerns
  • Regular reviews to ensure your plan remains appropriate
  • Complete confidentiality regarding your financial affairs
  • Professional service from qualified, experienced advisors

Start Your Retirement Planning Journey

Discover how our personalised approach can help you build retirement confidence.

Contact Our Team