Supporting older clients, and those facing life challenges, with care and expertise

Providing high-quality financial advice means offering tailored support to clients at every stage of life.

While there are many financial advice firms that can offer financial guidance to young and middle-aged savers and investors, supporting clients with later life needs or coping with difficult life events takes an advice team with special qualifications and skills.

Recently, two of our advisers achieved significant professional milestones in this area. Their achievements underscore our firm’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of care for all clients – taking particular care in serving clients in later life, those living with dementia, or facing challenging circumstances.

Strengthening our expertise in later life advice

Last month, financial adviser Lauren Bailey earned her Long-Term Care (LTC) licence, equipping her to offer specialist guidance on care costs, benefits, and investment decisions. She joins our growing team of advisers who hold long-term care accreditations, including Sarah Kendell, Paul Breaks, and Jenny Loftus.

Sarah Kendell has also recently reaffirmed her dedication to later-life financial planning. An adviser accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) for the past five years, Sarah has passed the re-accreditation process to renew her status. Additionally, she has successfully completed coursework to become a Dementia Friend through the Alzheimer’s Society. These initiatives demonstrate that Sarah is fully prepared to provide sensitive, clear, and jargon-free advice tailored to older clients and their families.

A commitment to client care

At our firm, we recognise that every client has unique needs. Our duty of care extends to all clients, regardless of age, ability, or personal circumstances. We also understand that some individuals may require additional support due to financial vulnerability, whether temporary or long-term.

While every client’s situation is different, we are sensitive to the needs of those who:

• are recently bereaved

• are facing dementia, a terminal illness or life-threatening condition

• have experienced a sudden job loss or financial shock

• have been affected by domestic, financial, or emotional abuse*

  
  

Life events are unpredictable and vulnerability can arise at any time, which is why we take a flexible and compassionate approach to financial advice. Some clients may need more time, greater explanation, or additional reassurance when making important financial decisions. By addressing these needs, we ensure that our clients receive the right level of support and avoid unnecessary stress or financial harm.

Finding the right specialist support

Now that the golden years are underway, it is possible to navigate this phase of life with greater financial confidence and peace of mind than ever before. But single-handedly charting your own later life financial pathway, or that of a family member, can be daunting and lead to unnecessary risks.

That’s why there really is no substitute for high quality financial guidance and advice.

If you’re keen to make this phase of life into a time of financial clarity and security, our advisers are here to help. We will work closely with you, assisting you to make better financial decisions today and delivering the comprehensive, compassionate care you deserve.

Meet the advisers

Sarah Kendell

A Financial Options Group director, Sarah ensures our values of client care and community are embodied throughout our practice. Her Chartered Financial Adviser status from the London Institute of Banking & Finance and accreditation from SOLLA mean that clients and their families can trust her expertise. Whether advising on elder care funding, equity release, estate planning, or retirement income, Sarah delivers clear and considerate financial guidance. She also takes the lead on event organisation and fundraising for the Financial Options Group Charitable Foundation.

Lauren Bailey

Lauren joined the Financial Options Group in 2015 and earned the Diploma for Financial Advisers and Certificate in Mortgage and Advice Practice in 2018. Lauren is passionate about helping to create and implement bespoke financial planning, taking an empathetic and professional approach to meeting her clients’ needs. Lauren also works alongside Financial Options Group CEO Christian Pepper as a key contact for high net-worth clients. 

Both Sarah and Lauren have been consecutively listed in the annual Top-Ranked Adviser Guide by VouchedFor, appearing in the Times. You can visit their respective Vouched for profiles at https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/bury/036818-sarah-kendell and https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/bury/066949-lauren-bailey.

You can also see Sarah’s SOLLA profile here: https://societyoflaterlifeadvisers.co.uk/Find-an-Adviser/Detail/30bc4161-3606-ea11-a811-000d3ab85f33/Sarah-Kendell

If you or a family member could benefit from specialist financial advice, our team is here to help. Contact us at 0161 764 9944 to discuss your needs and explore the optimal options for your financial future.

*The above list is not exhaustive of the factors that may contribute to financial vulnerability. Clients are under no obligation to disclose personal circumstances.

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited 15.5.25