Amber River - Our story, ethos, and vision

From the start, we wanted to offer something distinct from traditional financial planning firms. Something warmer, more approachable. Our name and its meaning reflect both this and the ethos of our people – from Group CEO Mary-Anne McIntyre to our independent financial planners and their teams.

Together, ‘Amber River’ represents our commitment to guiding you through your life successfully and with purpose, so you can focus on what truly matters – living well and pursuing your dreams.

We believe in building strong relationships, openness, and sitting at the same side of the table as our clients, all of which starts with an introduction. So, let us tell you a little bit more about us, who we are, where we’ve come from, and what inspires us to do the work we do every day.

Amber River started life as an idea: to create a trusted, independent financial planning brand by bringing together some of the UK’s best IFA firms. In November 2021, Amber River officially launched, and we spent the next four years bringing that idea to life.

Today, we’re proud to serve tens of thousands of clients across the UK. Our team consists of experienced board members, expert independent financial planners, and dedicated technical and support staff. We are a group of like-minded, values-driven professionals, united by our belief in the power of independent financial planning and its ability to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

With offices in locations across the country, we aim to be accessible and convenient for everyone, no matter where life takes you.

Moreover, we believe in supporting entire families. Whether it’s your children, grandchildren, parents, or other loved ones, our nationwide presence makes it easy for them to connect with an Amber River financial planner, helping to build financial security across generations.

We encourage our clients to think about where they want to be, what steps they need to take to get there, and what they already have in place to help them on their way. Then we can map out a clear path that, with ongoing management, will enable them to achieve your version of a “good life”.

Of course, the question of what makes life “good” is complex and has been debated by philosophers for centuries.

Aristotle, for example, argued that living well begins with understanding your ultimate goals and the means required to achieve them. He believed that as we grow older, defining our aspirations, identifying the steps needed to reach them, and creating a clear plan become more important. Without a plan, we may find ourselves uncertain about what we’re working toward – or why it matters.

That’s how we see financial planning. A good financial plan sets out the future and provides clarity, structure, and a clear path toward what truly matters to you. Whether it’s early retirement, buying a new home, selling a business, or supporting future generations.

So, whatever your version of a good life looks like, financial planning can help you achieve it.

Our planners get to know their clients beyond just their finances. They have real conversations about life, family, dreams, and even difficult topics like ageing and death, as these are the things that define you and your journey. Wealth is important, but ultimately it is the means to enable you to live the life you want.

People often talk about financial advice, but that’s just the outcome of what we do. At Amber River, financial planning comes first, and we see it as the foundation that shapes any advice we give.