Latest news with #FCA-authorised
Business News Wales
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Development Bank Supports Buyout at Financial Services Business
An independent advisory business looking to buy out a retiring director has been supported with a £325,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales, via the Wales Flexible Investment Fund. Premier Commercial Wealth Management is an FCA-authorised business providing financial advice and services to businesses across South Wales on pensions, investments and tax planning. It was set up by former HSBC colleagues Jonathan Williams, Paul Tracey and Jeremy Reed in 2012, and has since gone on to advise businesses and manage funds for a number of providers. With the upcoming retirement of outgoing director Jeremy, fellow directors were keen to find a way of continuing the business while allowing him to step back. Jonathan Williams at Premier said: 'We were keen to look at routes to buy out our fellow director – Jeremy wanted to plan for retirement, while Paul and I wanted to carry the business on. The loan from the Development Bank has meant we've been able to follow the option of a buyout within the business, while doing so in a way which is aligned with our longer-term planning. 'We're a fiercely independent business, and each of us directors have had long careers in banking and finance. We know how difficult it can be to get a loan which suits what you need, without also possibly compromising your own plans. 'But the support we had from Sally at the Development Bank was brilliant – she was first class, from start to finish, and supported us through everything we needed to do.' Sally Phillips, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: 'It was a pleasure to work with Jonathan and the team at Premier Commercial Wealth Management in realising their plans as Jeremy looks ahead at retirement. We're glad to have provided them with flexible and targeted support, and wish them the best with their continued growth.' Financed by Welsh Government, the Wales Flexible Investment Fund is for deals between £25,000 and £10 million. Loans, mezzanine finance, and equity investments are available for Welsh businesses with terms of up to 15 years.
Scotsman
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
SimplyQuote Aims to simplify insurance comparison
SimplyQuote, has officially launched SimplyQuote, an FCA-authorised comparison website designed to streamline the insurance selection process for both British consumers and business owners. The platform promises efficient access to diverse insurance products, including car, home, business, and travel insurance, in a simple, user-friendly digital environment. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... SimplyQuote Insurance has introduced SimplyQuote, a technology-driven platform aiming to alleviate the complexities typically associated with buying insurance. This new service is tailored primarily towards consumers and businesses seeking affordable insurance options within the UK. SimplyQuote is designed for ease of use, permitting users to swiftly compare numerous insurance providers and products through its online interface. The tool claims to dramatically reduce the time and effort traditionally involved with insurance selection processes, presenting a wide array of insurer offerings clearly and efficiently. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Chris Richards, Founder and Managing Director of outlined the goal behind the new service, stating, "At SimplyQuote, we believe that finding the right insurance shouldn't be a daunting task. Our platform is designed to make insurance comparison straightforward and stress-free, providing our users with all the information they need to make an informed decision." A user navigates the SimplyQuote platform to compare insurance options—highlighting the website's mission to simplify and streamline insurance selection for UK consumers and businesses. A significant advantage highlighted by SimplyQuote includes its comprehensive nature, featuring diverse insurance categories, from standard car and home coverage through to specialist products such as comprehensive business insurance policies and travel insurance packages. As an Insurance Appointed Representative (IAR) authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), SimplyQuote assures potential customers of robust standards of integrity, transparency, and reliability. Richards underscored the importance of this authorisation, adding, "Trust is a cornerstone of our business. Being FCA-authorised means that our users can be confident in the reliability and security of our platform. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards in all aspects of our service." While SimplyQuote underlines its own effectiveness and ease of operation, independent validation from insurance market analysts could offer additional clarity on the platform's comparative advantages and competitive positioning within the broader UK insurance comparison industry. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
