Q2 2026 market summary: Strong gains despite global uncertainty
Global markets delivered positive returns during Q2 2026 despite geopolitical tensions, persistent inflation and interest rate uncertainty. Discover what happened and the key themes investors should watch in the months ahead.
Received a bonus or commission payment? Here’s how to make the most of it
A bonus or commission payment can do more than boost short-term spending. Learn how to balance debt repayment, investing, retirement planning and financial resilience to support your wider financial goals.
Why market falls early in retirement can affect your long-term plans
Early market downturns can have a bigger impact on retirement than many people realise. Chartered Financial Planner Rayna Stoyanova explains sequencing risk and how careful planning may help protect future income.
How much is “enough”? Why financial planning is important before you sell your business
Before selling your business, understand what “enough” means for your future. Early financial planning can help maximise opportunities, improve tax efficiency, and ensure your exit supports your long-term goals.
Volatile times: How much should I keep in cash vs investments?
Wondering how much cash you should keep versus invest? Explore the factors that influence the right balance and how cash and investments can work together effectively.
Keir Starmer’s resignation: staying focused on what you can control
Keir Starmer's resignation has prompted questions about future policy. Here's why long-term financial planning should remain focused on personal goals, not political speculation.
“Volatility is normal”: Suzanne Gray on keeping perspective when markets wobble
Market volatility can feel unsettling, but it is a normal part of investing. Suzanne Gray explains why long-term thinking, financial planning and avoiding emotional decisions could help investors stay on track.
Why your financial planner and accountant should work together
Your accountant and financial planner may have different priorities, but collaboration can improve tax efficiency, strengthen long-term planning, reduce costly mistakes, and help ensure every financial decision supports your wider goals.
ISA vs Pension: Which should you prioritise?
Should you prioritise an ISA or a pension? Explore the tax advantages, flexibility, inheritance implications and retirement planning considerations of both wrappers, and discover why many investors benefit from using them together.
Should you invest when markets fall?
Market downturns trigger fear, but reacting emotionally can damage long-term returns. Financial planner Andy Burton explains why patience, perspective, and staying invested often outperform panic-driven decisions during uncertain times.
Amber River strengthens partnerships with The Law Society and ICAEW
Amber River strengthens partnerships with The Law Society and ICAEW, enabling closer collaboration between advisers, solicitors and accountants to deliver more integrated, high quality financial planning support for clients.
Should I gift, sell, or restructure my business plan around Inheritance Tax rules?
Inheritance tax changes could impact how you pass on your business. Discover whether gifting, selling, or restructuring may help protect your wealth and support long-term succession planning.
Inheritance tax changes to pensions in 2027: what it means for your estate planning
From April 2027, pensions may fall inside inheritance tax, reshaping estate planning, increasing liabilities, and requiring a more balanced approach to retirement income, beneficiary planning, and long-term wealth transfer strategies.
Do financial planners have a superpower?
Cashflow planning brings financial advice to life, helping you explore different scenarios, understand your options and make confident decisions about retirement, lifestyle, gifting and long term financial security.
Suzanne Gray on the importance of long-term advice and trusted client relationships
Suzanne Gray explains why long-term advice, trust and consistent relationships are at the heart of financial planning, helping clients gain clarity, confidence and peace of mind around retirement.
Why having a financial plan matters
A financial plan is about more than money—it’s about clarity, confidence, and feeling in control of your future. By truly understanding your goals and guiding you through life’s changes, a good adviser helps you make informed decisions and live life on your terms with lasting peace of mind.
Martin Johnston on advice, trust and doing the right thing
Independent financial adviser Martin Johnston of Amber River HDA shares how genuine care, trust, and proactive planning help clients feel secure, even when markets wobble.
Who’s the best person to advise on estate planning?
Estate planning involves far more than writing a will. The best outcomes come from a coordinated estate planning team—led by your financial planner and supported by your solicitor and accountant. Together, they ensure every element of your plan, from wills and trusts to tax and later-life planning, works in harmony to protect your wealth and your family’s future.
How the Autumn Budget impacts people with substantial assets
The Autumn Budget brings higher taxes on investment income, new property surcharges and reduced reliefs for investors and business owners. Discover what these changes mean for substantial asset holders and how to plan proactively.
How the Autumn Budget is likely to affect people approaching retirement
The Autumn Budget brings several key tax and pension changes for people aged 55–65. Here’s what the updates mean for your retirement income, savings strategy and long-term planning.
How the Autumn Budget impacts people already retired and drawing a pension
The Autumn Budget brings several changes that could influence your retirement income. From frozen tax thresholds to higher savings taxes, here’s what today’s retirees need to know — and how advice can help.
How the Autumn Budget is likely to affect high earners
High earners face significant changes following the Autumn Budget, from frozen tax thresholds to higher dividend and rental income taxes. Here’s what the updates mean and how smart planning can help.
What the 2025 Autumn Budget means for business owners
The 2025 Autumn Budget brings major changes for business owners, including higher Dividend Tax, wage increases, new pension rules and updated reliefs. Here’s what matters most and how to prepare.
Planning beyond £2 million: Life, legacy and tax strategies
As your wealth grows beyond £2 million, planning becomes essential. Martin Johnston of Amber River HDA explains how to protect your legacy, enjoy your retirement, and reduce future tax exposure—especially with upcoming changes to pension rules and the £2 million threshold for Inheritance Tax relief.
Why AI won’t replace your financial planner
AI can handle simple financial tasks, but it can’t offer the personalised insight, empathy, and regulated advice a financial planner provides. Discover the key risks of relying solely on AI.
Advisory or discretionary management? Choosing an approach that works for you
Advisory or discretionary portfolio management? Whether you’re hands-on or happy to delegate, choosing the right investment management style can help you feel more confident and in control of your financial future. This article breaks down both approaches in simple terms, helping you decide what suits your goals, lifestyle, and preferences best.
The true value of financial planning
The value of financial planning is about more than numbers – it takes a holistic approach that brings confidence and peace of mind.
Do I need wealth management or financial planning
Discover how modern financial and wealth planning delivers strategies that protect, grow, and pass on wealth in alignment with your goals
Financial planning in your 50s
The financial expert you choose largely depends on your needs – but one thing that overrides everything else is finding someone you trust.
What’s the difference between a Wealth Manager, a Financial Planner and a Financial Adviser?
The financial expert you choose largely depends on your needs – but one thing that overrides everything else is finding someone you trust.
Tim Forsyth: The biker with a safety-first wealth planning approach
Tim explains the importance of the 5 pillars of life: home, relationships, health, work, and finances. Lose one and the rest can easily follow