Best Financial Advisers in South Shields

Whether you need advice on pensions, investments, mortgages, life insurance, or retirement planning, a qualified financial adviser can help you make better decisions with your money. Here are the best financial advisers in South Shields.

Reliance Financial Services

Reliance Financial Services at Unit 104, South Shields Business Works, Henry Robson Way has been providing financial advice in South Shields since 1988. Founded by David Ridley, the firm holds a 5-star rating on VouchedFor from client reviews and offers mortgage advice, pension planning, and investment guidance.

Reliance Financial is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The firm provides both personal and corporate financial planning, making it a useful one-stop resource for business owners as well as individuals.

Best for: Established in 1988 with a 5-star VouchedFor rating — mortgage, pension, and investment advice for individuals and businesses.

---

Andrew Birtles

Andrew Birtles is a financial adviser based at South Shields Business Works, Henry Robson Way. He specialises in pensions, investments, and retirement planning, and has strong client reviews on VouchedFor.

Andrew provides face-to-face advice from the Business Works office in South Shields, with an emphasis on building long-term relationships with clients. If you are approaching retirement and need help understanding your pension options, or if you want to review your existing investments, Andrew is well placed to help.

Best for: Specialist in pensions and retirement planning — highly rated on VouchedFor with face-to-face meetings in South Shields.

---

What Does a Financial Adviser Do?

A financial adviser can help with:

• Pensions — understanding workplace pensions, personal pensions, SIPPs, and drawdown options at retirement
• Investments — ISAs, investment portfolios, and strategies for growing your wealth over time
• Mortgages — finding the best mortgage deal, remortgaging, and buy-to-let advice
• Protection — life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection
• Retirement planning — working out how much you need to retire comfortably and the most tax-efficient way to get there
• Estate planning — inheritance tax, trusts, and passing on wealth to the next generation

---

Independent vs Restricted Advisers

It is important to understand the difference:

• Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) can recommend products from the whole of the market. They are not tied to any particular provider
• Restricted advisers can only recommend products from a limited range of providers or product types. This does not make them worse — it just means they have a narrower scope

Both types must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). You can check any adviser's registration on the FCA Financial Services Register at register.fca.org.uk.

---

How Much Does Financial Advice Cost?

Financial advice fees in South Shields typically include:

• Initial consultation: often free or included in the overall fee
• One-off advice (e.g. pension review): £500 to £1,500 depending on complexity
• Ongoing advice (annual review): typically 0.5% to 1% of funds under management per year
• Mortgage advice: some advisers charge a fee (£300 to £500), while others are paid by the lender through commission

Always ask about fees upfront. A good adviser will be transparent about how they are paid and will provide a clear fee agreement before any work begins.

---

For more professional services guides, see our guides to the best accountants in South Shields and the best solicitors in South Shields.