This year Amber River HDA is celebrating a landmark 40 years in business
Founded in 1986 as Hugh Davies Associates, we joined the Amber River Group in 2022 and rebranded as Amber River HDA two years later. Throughout this time the company’s ethos has remained the same; offering our clients independent and high-quality financial planning advice. With many long-standing clients and employees, Managing Director Robin Etherington has been, and continues to be, a driving force at the heart of the company’s success. Let’s hear what he has to say…
How long have you been with the company?
Man, and boy, since September 1987.
As Managing Director, what changes have you seen?
The industry is unrecognisable today compared to the 1980s. Increasing professionalism and regulation have changed the landscape. What was once maybe seen by some as a less reputable industry, is now a wonderfully diverse profession.
For individuals wanting a career in financial services, there is now a structured career path. Whether that’s in admin, compliance, marketing, or advice. There are great opportunities to use communication skills, numeracy, literacy and logic, not to mention the full range of interpersonal skills, dealing with people of all ages, from all walks of life. I don’t think that schools and universities have caught on yet to the dynamic range of prospects available.
"Increasing professionalism and regulation have changed the landscape. There is now a structured career path for individuals wanting a career in financial services"
What are you most proud of?
Amber River HDA has always fully embraced the concept of “independence”. Not just in the way the industry understands it, but in the way we think, our processes, service propositions, fee structures, investment management, our whole approach. We have never copied others or followed the latest fashion or fad.
What is your legacy?
Above everything else, working at Amber River HDA requires the very highest standards of service, which is key to everything we do. Clients come first and they have a right to expect honesty, integrity and 100% dedication to delivering the best possible outcomes. We deal with real people, real life, real issues and real money and it’s a full-time, 24/7, absolute commitment.
What is the main reason clients come to Amber River HDA and become loyal clients?
Most clients come to us by recommendation; either directly through friends, family and professional connections who know and trust us, or indirectly via testimonials and reviews. You can’t buy or sell trust, you can only ask for it and earn it, which is how Amber River HDA has become a highly trusted brand locally, and I am confident that Amber River will become a trusted national brand.
“Amber River HDA has become a highly trusted brand locally, and I am confident that Amber River will become a trusted national brand.”
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing clients in the next few years?
The tax burden in the UK is becoming unbearable at all levels, with frozen Income Tax and IHT allowances, falling CGT allowances, higher CGT rates, reduced incentives for entrepreneurs, restricted Agricultural and Business reliefs, the double taxation of pension death benefits…it’s a horror show!
It has never been more important for individuals to maximise their allowances and protect their wealth, for their own benefit and for the future benefit of their children and grandchildren.
“It has never been more important for individuals to maximise their allowances and protect their wealth, for their own benefit and for the future benefit of their children and grandchildren.”
And what can we do to help guide them through this?
We have an excellent team of professional advisers who are supported by high quality researchers, technicians and administrators. We have decades of real-life experience and we can continue to offer practical advice and solutions, tailored to the individual needs of our clients.
OFFICE
Amber River HDA
Our Cheltenham-based team has been advising clients across the picturesque counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and surrounding areas since the 1980s.
Small, but important print
We adhere to the FCA’s principles of Treating Customers Fairly (TCF). Read more here
Amber River HDA is a trading name of Hugh Davies Associates Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. No: 125569.
Registered office: New Barn, Manor Farm Courtyard, Southam Lane, Southam, Cheltenham, Glos GL52 3PB. Registered in England & Wales Company No. 1998413.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate National Savings or some forms of mortgage, tax planning, taxation and trust advice, offshore investments or school fees planning.
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