At Washington Square we aim to provide friendly, contemporary, responsible financial advice coupled with good old-fashioned personal service.
Being Independent Financial Advisers, we pride ourselves on working for you and you only. We don’t use panels or groups of providers that others have decided on. We look at the whole market and tailor your advice specifically for your circumstances. If you also have other ethical principles you’d like to consider then that’s great too.
Inspired by the history of Washington Square, we have used a combination of both modern and Victorian themes to help illustrate our brand objectives and convey this message.
Whether you are running a business of any size or want to make the best of your personal savings, we hope you will be an integral part of our new brand and support us in providing responsible advice and exceptional service. At any time we would be delighted to receive feedback from you in terms of how we are doing, and how we may improve still further.
We take the time to get to know you, and your circumstances, before providing written recommendations. Feel free to contact us by any of the means mentioned here; call, email or use social media.
A bit about what we do
Investments
Wherever your source of capital comes from, it’s worth making the most of it. Depending on the level of interest you receive and the impact of inflation, cash held on deposit may lose purchasing power over time.
Being Independent advisers we can discuss the current marketplace so that you can make informed decisions. We can also model financial scenarios to help you make your money go further.
We would like the opportunity to discuss with you how to do this responsibly and sustainably. Talk to us about your plans and we can help you make the right decisions for YOU.
The value of investments and any income from them can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount you invested. The Financial Condust Authority does not regulate Cashflow Planning.
(UK Bank of England base rate was lowered by 0.25% to 3.75% on 18th December 2025).
Retirement
No-one likes talking about it when they’re young, but age has a nasty habit of catching up with you. Everyone should think about where their income is going to come from when they eventually stop working.
The pensions and retirement marketplace is changing perhaps faster than any other area of financial advice.
Whether it’s starting up a new pension, planning your income requirements for retirement, or discussing specialist pensions such as SIPP, SSAS or Family Pension Trusts we’re here to help.
The value of pensions and any income from them can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount invested.
Mortgages
We offer Independent mortgage advice across the spectrum of residential and buy-to-let mortgages.
Talk to our mortgage advisers about these and also commercial mortgages and we would be pleased to help you.
We also provide advice on lifetime mortgages and other types of equity release.
- Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Think carefully before securing debts against your home.
- Buy to Let – If property prices fall and your capital value falls below your outstanding interest-only mortgage, you’ll need to make up for any shortfall if the property sells for less.
- Not all mortgage contracts are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Equity release isn’t right for everyone, there are positives and negatives, and careful consideration is vital to ensure it is a suitable option for your individual circumstances.
- Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks ask for a personalised illustration.
- Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits.
Life Protection
Many people find discussing what happens when they die or suffer a serious illness a little distressing. As advisers of over 25 years, we have seen the reality of how having plans in place and not having plans can impact real families. This is really distressing.
At Washington Square we can show how you can plan for these unpleasant eventualities and the inability to carry out your actual job due to illness, particularly if you are self-employed or run your own business.
We are experienced in providing advice on mortgage and liability protection, family protection and business protection such as relevant life, key man insurance and shareholder protection.
Tax Planning
We will take the time to understand your overall financial situation and identify opportunities where appropriate planning could help improve your financial position. This may include tax-efficient planning, such as making the most of available allowances and reliefs, Capital Gains Tax planning, Inheritance Tax planning and helping business owners manage their finances in a tax-efficient way.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax, trust and estate planning.
Businesses
Whatever the size of your business we can help you with providing employee benefits, group and workplace pensions and group life cover.
We are very happy to attend staff meetings and deliver presentations if required.
We also specialise in providing advice in terms of efficient profit extraction for your business.
What you can expect from us
- We WON’T insist on you visiting our office in business hours which suit us
- We WILL be flexible and meet with you at a time and location convenient to you
- We probably WON’T wear a suit and tie when we meet up with you but we WILL be smart and well presented
- We WON’T offer you any kind of “off the shelf” advice or advice which we have some ulterior financial interest in
- We WILL find out as much as we can about you and what you are trying to achieve and then research the WHOLE market to find the best solution for you
- We WILL provide you with a thoroughly explained written recommendation which is personal to you and your unique situation
- We WILL suggest solutions to you which we feel are relevant
- We WILL offer Pros and Cons when appropriate
- We WON’T bombard you with paperwork on either printed paper or card that looks like you’ve been invited to a Royal wedding
- We WILL provide you with our written information in a format YOU choose e.g. by PDF
- We WILL be transparent in all of our dealings with you, including agreeing our fees and providing flexible options for payment of them
- We WON’T try to bamboozle you or put pressure on you of any kind
- We WILL ask you for feedback and on how we may improve but we WON’T hassle you about it
- We DON’T work for anyone except YOU
- We WON’T assume we know what your values are
- We WILL help you make investment decisions which support your values
Consolidate your pension plans in one place – but beware!
There is a wealth of financial information available through the media and online, but it is not tailored to your individual circumstances and does not constitute personalised financial advice. As Independent Financial Advisers, we consider the wider market to identify investment solutions that are appropriate for your objectives, attitude to risk and long-term retirement goals.
Equity Release
Equity release can provide access to some of the value tied up in your home, helping to fund a range of needs, such as adapting your property, supplementing retirement income or meeting unexpected expenses. For some homeowners, it can provide greater financial flexibility while allowing them to remain in their home. For example, if mobility becomes an issue, releasing equity could help fund adaptations such as improved accessibility or ground-floor living arrangements, enabling you to continue living comfortably in familiar surroundings. However, equity release is a significant financial decision. It can affect the value of your estate, your entitlement to certain means-tested benefits and the options available to you in the future. It is important to understand both the benefits and the potential drawbacks before proceeding. At Washington Square, we will help you understand whether equity release is suitable for your circumstances. Although we are qualified to identify the need for Equity Release, if it becomes apparent that this is the most appropriate route for you, we will, with your consent, refer you to another suitably qualified specialist.
Tax and Trusts
Are your existing life assurance policies written in suitable trusts to complement your Will and your wishes for passing on your assets? Do you understand the potential tax implications for your beneficiaries? We can help you review your existing arrangements and advise on appropriate trust and tax planning to help ensure your policies support your wider estate planning objectives.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Roy Jenkins famously described inheritance tax as “a voluntary levy paid by those who distrust their heirs more than they dislike the Inland Revenue.” While the quote is often repeated, modern inheritance tax planning is about understanding the rules and making informed decisions that reflect your personal and family circumstances. Inheritance Tax can significantly reduce the value of an estate passed on to future generations. While careful planning cannot remove every tax liability, there are a range of legitimate strategies that may help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax payable, depending on your individual circumstances and current legislation. At Washington Square, we’ll help you understand the options available, explain how they may apply to your situation and recommend the solutions that are most appropriate for your objectives, helping you preserve more of your wealth for the people who matter most.
Financial Vulnerability Task Force
Washington Square Ltd is a founding member of the Personal Finance Society’s Financial Vulnerability Taskforce. The Taskforce brings together organisations from across the personal finance, insurance and wider financial services sectors to promote greater understanding of consumer vulnerability, encourage good practice and improve outcomes for vulnerable customers. We recognise that vulnerability can affect anyone at different stages of life and in many different ways. By identifying and understanding our clients’ individual circumstances, we aim to provide the appropriate support, communication and advice to help them make informed financial decisions with confidence.
What do people have to say about us?
Washington Square Ltd. is a member of the UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association