UK Finance Awards 2025/ 4 As well as being recognised of Smart Independent Financial Advice Ltd, Richard Jones Director and financial planner has had his life saved three times. His third and most recent transplant was from his sister Lynsey Hockings from Heswall, Wirral. After losing two previous kidney transplants due to a rare virus, this new gift has restored his health and energy, and Richard returned to his love of swimming after enduring 7 years of daily dialysis. Richard’s stellar performance at the UK Transplant Games in 2024 earned him coveted place at Team GB for the World Transplant Games, held in Dresden, Germany, in August 2025. Competing against top transplant athletes from around the globe, he took part in seven events – and proudly brought home four silver medals in 50m backstroke, 100 backstroke, 200m freestyle and relay event. The UK Finance Awards would like to recognise Richard's other achievements in delivering professional, friendly and clientfocused financial advice across the realms of inheritance tax planning, investments, pensions, trusts, protection, mortgage advice, wills/trusts/lasting power of attorney, and equity release advice. Smart Independent Financial Advice offers everything its clients need to secure the future of their finances, whether this involves achieving a specific financial goal or simply safeguarding wealth for future generations, the firm will deliver. In the world of equity release, a market which is growing year on year, the firm’s Smart Equity Release offering stands out as a result of the experience behind it, the comprehensive approach it delivers, and the minimum of two appointments offered in order to give the client ample time to consider the content of these discussions. As for what will be covered, the firm’s willingness to search the entire market to find the right plan for every client sees Smart Independent Financial Advice cover all of the possible bases for every client. Smart Independent Financial Advice has grown into a valued member of the local community on the back of the reputation it has nurtured for delivering this honest, client-first financial advice, both to people in the region and those further afield. For those in the Wirral, its high-street office in West Kirby and drop-in service make it accessible, whereas its commitment to serving clients through digital channels – such as video calls – means that even those in other parts of England and Wales can access this support. Championing this accessibility at every turn is Richard Jones, whose status as a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser sees him lead the firm with a clear, results-driven mission: to provide knowledge-led, straight-talking advice that puts the client at the front and centre of every decision. Regardless of whether he is supporting an individual in planning their retirement, helping new parents to write their wills, or assisting families looking to reduce their inheritance tax, his method remains mostly unchanged across these services. On the matter of inheritance tax, which has been in the news a lot recently as a result of governmental changes, Richard explained: “Inheritance tax is a complex area, and with the latest budget extending the freeze on tax bands to 2031, more families are being drawn into paying it. Some people simply need clarity on their position, while others require a structured plan to reduce their exposure to what As its name suggests, Smart Independent Financial Advice is built on the belief that everyone deserves professional, autonomous financial advice delivered in a clear-cut manner. This is why the firm, based in the Wirral, removes the unnecessary jargon and explains finance in a way that anyone can understand, empowering its clients to feel wholly confident as they set about building a better financial future for themselves and their loved ones. Director and Chartered Independent Financial Adviser Richard Jones was on hand for more about how his firm can help. Financial Planning Practice of the Year 2025 & Equity Release Specialists of the Year 2025 – North West England Smart Independent Financial Advice
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