FCA-regulated pension, retirement, and ethical investment planning in Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham. Over 30 years of whole-of-market guidance with total fee transparency.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but reveal to him his own.” — Benjamin Disraeli
Financial planning is becoming ever more complicated. As an independent fiduciary practice in Sutton Coldfield, we replace confusing industry jargon with clear, structured outcomes that protect your future.
Bring scattered pensions from past employers into a single, high-performing vehicle with reduced charges, disciplined oversight, and seamless drawdowns.
Never accept default pension income offers without checking the open market. We secure enhanced annuities and flexible drawdown strategies to maximise lifelong cashflow.
Align your wealth and pension pots with your personal principles. Rigorous negative and positive screening for clean energy and governance without sacrificing returns.
Left unchecked, IHT could be the largest single bill your family ever pays. We structure proactive, legitimate estate planning strategies to protect your family's legacy.
Unlock tax-free capital accumulated in your home without moving or relinquishing ownership. We provide impartial guidance strictly representing your interests.
Whole-of-market residential mortgage placement assessed against underwriting matrices first time, coupled with tailored life cover and critical illness protection.
What sets Martin Brennan's practice apart is not transactional product placement, but unhurried, long-term personal stewardship.
Martin has helped me many times with pension advice. I have recently retired and Martin has ensured that all my affairs are in order for the future. He is extremely professional and explains everything clearly. He is very approachable and friendly and always has your best interests at heart. I would highly recommend his services.
In an era where large institutional wealth managers automate client communications with generic automated emails, Martin Brennan personally prepares a comprehensive, bound printed review report for every client ahead of their annual meeting.
“Each year he provides an in-depth printed report which he goes through in detail during our annual meeting. This allowed me to make informed decisions regarding the best actions to take.” — Polly & Gary Gizza, Verified Clients
Financial decisions of this magnitude require clarity, unhurried consideration, and complete regulatory transparency. Here is how we work together:
A free 1-hour conversation at our Elms House office, in the comfort of your own home, or remotely. We discuss your financial goals with zero pressure or commitment.
We gather details on existing pensions, investments, and tax brackets, establishing your exact risk appetite and personal ethical criteria (SRI).
We present a fully researched, jargon-free written recommendation. Our transparent tiered fee structure is clearly detailed before you make any decisions.
We handle all provider paperwork and fund transfers, followed by scheduled in-person annual reviews supported by an in-depth printed portfolio analysis.
For clients wishing to align their pensions and savings with their environmental, religious, or moral convictions, we provide tailored screening that safeguards your conscience while pursuing robust capital growth.
We actively filter out companies, corporate debt, and investment funds involved in business practices that conflict with client ethical standards:
We direct portfolio capital toward enterprises leading the transition to a sustainable economy, backed by transparent corporate governance:
Unlike many financial brokers who obscure advice charges within convoluted product wrap fees, Ethical Adviser publishes its full fee schedule openly.
| Investment Value Bracket | Advice & Implementation Fee (%) | Ongoing Advice Fee p.a. | Our Advisory Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to £49,999 | 3.00% | £500 fixed annual fee | Holistic pension review, consolidation roadmap, full annual report |
| £50,000 to £99,999 | 1.50% | 0.75% per annum | Active portfolio rebalancing, risk calibration & in-person meeting |
| £100,000 to £149,999 | 1.25% | 0.65% per annum | Tax-efficient drawdown strategy, SRI fund screening, annual review |
| £150,000 to £299,999 | 1.00% | 0.60% per annum | Comprehensive wealth preservation, IHT modeling, dedicated reviews |
| £300,000 to £499,999 | 0.75% | 0.50% per annum | Whole-of-market estate structures, trust coordination, family legacy |
| Over £250,000+ (High Value Portfolios) | 0.50% | 0.45% per annum | Bespoke institutional fee tier, multi-generation fiduciary oversight |
A full 1-hour consultation without cost or obligation. We outline exactly how we can assist before any fees apply.
We receive zero hidden kickbacks from fund providers. Our fiduciary duty is strictly and solely to you.
Our fees are regularly checked against UK national averages to ensure superior value for independent advice.
Real feedback from local clients across Sutton Coldfield and the West Midlands. Quoted word-for-word from verified Google Places and VouchedFor reviews.
“Martin has helped me many times with pension advice. I have recently retired and Martin has ensured that all my affairs are in order for the future. He is extremely professional and explains everything clearly. He is very approachable and friendly and always has your best interests at heart. I would highly recommend his services.”
“Martin initially helped me several years ago to successfully reinvest a personal pension pot that I had cashed in and helped me look objectively at a works pension. He is clearly very knowledgeable, is always approachable and helpful - he is not at all pushy and over the years I have found him to be honest and trustworthy. During our various meetings Martin has always taken the time to provide thorough advice and clear explanations. Each year he provides an in-depth printed report which he goes through in detail during our annual meeting.”
“Once again, excellent service from Martin at my annual review. Martin had prepared detailed information for the meeting. This allowed me to make informed decisions regarding the best actions to take for the next 12 months.”
“This years annual review meeting with Martin continued in the same excellent manner as previous ones. His informative explanations to any questions asked are very clear, making the replies given accessible and easy to understand. Martin is extremely pleasant and polite and I would have no hesitation in recommending him.”
“I have always found the service to be reliable, comprehensive and flexible. It has certainly benefited me in terms of financial security, saving time and being more relaxed about what the future holds. I would certainly recommend to anyone who is planning their finances whether it be for the short or long term.”
Martin Brennan maintains a top-tier rating on VouchedFor (Adviser ID: 032957), the UK's leading independent rating platform for financial advisers. All reviews are independently audited for client authenticity.
Essential facts on independent status, regulatory safeguards, and what to expect when consulting Ethical Adviser.
As truly independent financial advisers (IFAs), Ethical Adviser considers products and providers across the entire UK whole-of-market without restriction. Restricted advisers, in contrast, are tied to specific companies or a narrow panel of investment funds, meaning they cannot recommend solutions outside their corporate network even if another provider offers lower fees or better performance.
The initial one-hour meeting carries zero cost and zero obligation. Martin Brennan will discuss your financial arrangements, retirement expectations, and personal ethical criteria. At its conclusion, we clearly explain how we can help you achieve your goals and provide a written roadmap before any fee commitments arise. We are delighted to meet you at our Elms House office, in your home, at your workplace, or remotely via telephone/video.
Many individuals accumulate multiple pension schemes over a working lifetime. Amalgamating these into a single modern vehicle allows a consistent investment strategy, reduces multiple platform charges, and enables active ongoing risk management. However, before transferring any pension, we conduct forensic checks to verify that you do not forfeit valuable guarantees, such as guaranteed annuity rates or enhanced tax-free cash entitlements.
No. Extensive independent research demonstrates that well-managed socially responsible and ESG-screened funds perform competitively with traditional indices. Companies with rigorous governance, resource-efficient supply chains, and low regulatory risks are frequently well-positioned for sustainable long-term capital growth. Our ongoing oversight ensures fund managers adhere strictly to their ethical charters without compromising performance.
Ethical Adviser (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA FRN 923809). As an FCA-regulated practice, our clients are entitled to the statutory protections of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to statutory limits.
Take the first step toward clear, values-aligned financial peace of mind. We can meet in person at Elms House in Sutton Coldfield, visit your home or workplace, or arrange a secure telephone/video appointment.
