About Us
We’ve been giving Independent Financial Advice for over 50 years…
Our Financial Planners get to know each client well, and often work with several generations of the family from the first savings or mortgage through to retirement and later life planning. Trust is at the core of the relationship we have with our clients and we aim to make sure each and every one knows how valued and important they are to us.
Our service offering is unique, professional and strong with a personal touch. We take our responsibilities very seriously, and do all we can to provide the best service to every client. We constantly look at ways to improve and provide even more value for money to our clients.
We also work closely with professionals so that when our clients need help outside of our expertise, we can always find someone to help them.
With over £1.5bn assets under our management (as at 30 September 2023), we are one of the largest firms in the area and we were proud to be the first to be awarded the Chartered Financial Planners designation in 2009 by the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Our Journey
1973
Formation
The insurance and financial services companies were formed by Gerry Smith and Barry Pinching
1993
Investments
We were granted Discretionary Investment Management Permissions, enabling us to manage clients’ portfolios on a discretionary basis
1996
Ownership
The company restructured with David Hughff as Managing Director and Scott Pinching as Finance Director
2005
S&P Charitable Trust
The Smith & Pinching Charitable Trust was formed to help charities and charitable causes in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire
2007
Sale of Smith & Pinching General Insurance Services
This was a commercial and household insurance broker. It was sold in part to Cullum Capital Ventures with a complete buyout in 2012
2009
Chartered Financial Planners
One of the first to be awarded the Chartered Financial Planners designation by the Chartered Insurance Institute
2009 to 2018
Acquisitions
The S&P Group acquired R J Litten & Partners, Park View Financial Planning, Frary Financial Planning and Almary Green Investments
2016
i4me
Our insurance broker i4me was formed
2022
Employee Ownership Trust
To remain strong and independent and continue with our current ethos and culture, the Company was restructured and the ownership was transferred to The Smith & Pinching Employee Ownership Trust
Our People
Our people are our greatest asset
Financial Strength and succession are key components of a strong Financial Planning practice, and we go above and beyond to ensure our clients will continue to be looked after by us for life.
We employ over 100 members of staff, the majority of whom are based at our Head Office on Aylsham Road in Norwich.
Mission Statement
We consistently strive to be the best we can be, expanding the reach of our strong, secure and sustainable company.
Our company values benefit our clients, staff, shareholders and the wider community in which we work. We achieve this by being the name our clients can trust for their financial planning and insurance needs.
Our Values
Commitment
We bring pride, belief and passion to the work we do every day
Excellence
We do our best whilst always endeavouring to improve
Stewardship
We care about our world and aim to have a positive impact through our work
Teamwork
We encourage a culture of working together which is supportive to all
Integrity
We take responsibility for our actions with our clients and each other
Service
We earn our clients’ trust by focusing on their needs and putting them at the heart of everything we do
