The Private Office financial advisers review: what are the pros and cons?
Considering The Private Office for financial advice? Here's everything you need to know about the independent, award-winning, chartered financial planning firm.
The Private Office (TPO) is a privately-owned, Chartered independent financial advice firm.
TPO offers a comprehensive range of financial planning services, covering the key areas of personal and business financial life.
Initial discovery meetings are free with services starting from £500.
The Private Office attracts strong reviews for client service. On Trustpilot, the firm holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
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The Private Office: who are they?
The Private Office (TPO) is a privately-owned, Chartered independent financial advice firm founded in Leeds in 2008.
What began as a regional practice has grown into one of the UK's largest independently owned Chartered IFA firms, with offices in Leeds, London and Bath and a nationwide client base spanning over 5,500 individuals, businesses, charities and trusts.
The firm currently manages over £3 billion of clients' funds.
TPO holds Corporate Chartered Status, awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute. The firm has also accumulated a range of industry accolades, including winning Chartered Financial Planning Firm of the Year at the Personal Finance Society (PFS) Personal Finance Awards 2022/23, as well as recognition in the FT Adviser Top 100 Financial Advisers lists and the Women in Financial Advice Awards.
In January 2026, Goldman Sachs Alternatives announced an agreement to become a minority shareholder in TPO, a significant development that reflects the firm's ambitious growth trajectory, subject to FCA approval.
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Founded
2008
Assets under management (AUM)
£3 billion
Fees
Initial discovery meeting free, with services starting at £500+.
What does The Private Office do?
TPO describes itself as a holistic financial planning firm. Rather than looking at financial decisions in isolation, it takes a comprehensive view of each client's personal circumstances and financial position to identify the actions needed to meet their individual goals.
The firm helps individuals and families build and preserve their wealth through personalised, fixed-fee financial advice, recognising that ongoing guidance is key to reaching financial objectives.
Its client base includes private individuals, families, owner-managed businesses, charities and trusts.
Advice is fully independent, TPO works for the client rather than any product provider, allowing advisers to be impartial and act in the client's interest at all times.
The firm offers three distinct service tiers:
TPO Direct
TPO Premium
Family Office
This allows The Private Office to clients at different stages of their financial journey, from those just starting out to those with complex, multi-generational wealth planning needs.
What are the pros and cons of The Private Office?
The Private Office has several advantages but also some drawbacks to consider.
Here’s a quick look:
The pros of The Private Office
Fully independent advice: TPO is not tied to any product provider, meaning recommendations are based solely on what suits the client.
Chartered status: The firm holds Corporate Chartered Status, placing it among an elite minority of UK financial planning firms.
Fixed-fee structure: Rather than charging a percentage of assets, TPO uses a fixed-fee model for most clients, offering greater transparency — clients know in pounds and pence what they will pay before any work begins.
Award-winning reputation: Multiple industry awards, including PFS Firm of the Year, demonstrate peer recognition of the firm's quality.
Breadth of services: TPO covers a wide range of planning needs, from retirement income and pensions to estate planning, equity release and business financial planning.
Goldman Sachs investment: The minority investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives signals financial strength and long-term growth ambition.
The cons of The Private Office
Premium pricing: TPO's fixed fees reflect the breadth and depth of its service, meaning it may not be the most accessible option for those with simpler needs or smaller amounts to invest.
Not a digital-first platform: TPO is a relationship-led advice firm rather than a low-cost digital platform. Clients seeking a self-directed, low-touch service may find it more than they need.
Some mixed customer feedback: A small number of reviews note occasional delays in follow-up or communication after initial consultations. It is worth noting that the firm's overall ratings on third-party review platforms remain strongly positive, and TPO actively collects and acts on client feedback.
What services does The Private Office offer?
TPO offers a comprehensive range of financial planning services, covering the key areas of personal and business financial life.
Whether you are planning for retirement, managing investments or dealing with a complex life event, the firm aims to provide tailored, independent guidance at every stage.
Retirement planning: Income strategy, defined contribution pensions, defined benefit pension advice, annuity purchase and lump sum allowance assessments.
Investment planning and portfolio management: Bespoke portfolio construction and ongoing review, including committee-led investment decision-making.
Inheritance tax (IHT) and estate planning: Structuring assets to mitigate IHT liabilities and plan for the orderly transfer of wealth.
Financial protection planning: Life insurance, income protection and critical illness cover recommendations.
Equity release: Specialist advice on releasing property wealth, available as part of a wider financial plan.
Corporate financial planning: Support for businesses across a range of sectors, including employee benefits and owner-managed business planning.
Cash management: Access to independent cash deposit rate research through the Savings Champion partnership.
What fees does The Private Office charge?
TPO operates a fixed-fee model for the majority of its initial planning services, meaning fees are determined by the complexity of the work and the time required, not the value of assets under management. All fees are agreed upfront before any work begins.
For clients beginning their financial planning journey with more modest funds, TPO Direct is available as an entry-level service, charged at 1% of the capital being invested.
Initial advice fees and planning services
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial discovery meeting | Free |
| Cashflow planning (single scenario, written report) | £500 + VAT |
| Detailed cashflow forecasting (multi-scenario) | £2,125 - £3,450 |
| Financial review and investment advice | £4,425 - £11,500 |
| Cash to investment advice | £2,300 - £5,750 |
| Cash management (stand-alone) | From £1,000 + VAT |
Retirement services fees
| Service | Fees |
|---|---|
| Design your retirement income plan | £4,425 - £15,000 |
| Annuity purchase (from DC pension plans) | £5,000 - £15,000 |
| Annuity purchase (from product with Guaranteed Annuity Rates) | £3,275 |
| Drawing your defined benefit scheme pension | £3,275 - £5,575 |
| Defined benefit abridged advice service | £995 + VAT |
| Defined benefit pension transfer service | £9,500 + VAT* |
| Lump sum allowance assessment | £1,500 - £2,875 |
*VAT will not apply if a transfer is recommended.
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"It can be daunting paying for financial advice, but it should add more value than it costs – and benefit you in the long term.
For example, optimising your pension strategy so you have a fund with lower fees and a track record of strong performance could pay dividends when you retire, although there are no guarantees.
There are other benefits as many people who received financial advice have a clearer understanding of their money goals, more confidence in retirement planning and experience lower financial stress.”
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The Private Office pension advice review: is it right for your retirement savings?
TPO offers a broad range of pension-related services, making it one of the more capable IFA firms in the UK for retirement planning.
From defined contribution consolidations and income drawdown strategies to defined benefit transfers and annuity purchase, the firm's pension offering is comprehensive and supported by specialist advisers.
Key strengths of TPO pension advice
Holistic retirement planning: TPO does not treat pensions in isolation. Cashflow modelling is used to map retirement income needs against all sources of wealth, including investments, property and savings.
Defined benefit expertise: TPO employs specialist pension advisers with the requisite FCA permissions to advise on defined benefit scheme transfers, an area that demands particular expertise and regulatory care.
Multiple service tiers: Whether a client has one pension pot or a complex mix of DB and DC arrangements, TPO can tailor its service accordingly.
Independent approach: Because TPO is not affiliated with any product provider, pension recommendations are based purely on client need rather than commercial incentive.
Potential drawbacks of TPO pension advice
Cost of DB transfer advice: At £9,500 + VAT, defined benefit pension transfer advice is at the higher end of market pricing. However, this reflects the significant technical and regulatory complexity involved, and defined benefit transfer advice is among the most heavily regulated forms of financial advice in the UK.
Not a pension provider: TPO is an advice firm, not a platform or pension wrapper. Clients will hold their pension through a third-party provider recommended by TPO, meaning ongoing platform charges apply in addition to advice fees.
The Private Office pension advice verdict
For individuals with complex retirement planning needs, particularly those with multiple pension arrangements, a defined benefit entitlement, or significant assets to structure tax-efficiently, The Private Office is a strong candidate.
Its independent stance, specialist expertise and holistic planning approach represent genuine value.
Those with a single straightforward pension seeking low-cost guidance may find the fee structure more than they require, in which case the TPO Direct service or a comparison with other firms is worthwhile.
What technology does The Private Office use?
TPO supplements its human-led advice with a range of digital tools designed to improve transparency, accessibility and the overall client experience.
TPO Wealth client portal: Client information is held and exchanged through TPO Wealth, a secure online portal that gives clients a view of their entire financial position in one place.
Cashflow modelling software: TPO uses detailed financial modelling tools to produce multi-scenario cashflow forecasts, helping clients visualise different outcomes for their retirement and broader financial plan.
Savings Champion integration: Through Savings Champion, TPO has direct access to leading independent cash management research and cash deposit rate data to help clients make the most of their cash holdings.
The Private Office security: is it secure?
The Private Office and TPO are trading names of The Private Office Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with firm reference number 789482.
The firm operates within the full framework of UK financial services regulation.
FCA authorisation: TPO is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, meaning clients benefit from the protections afforded by UK financial services regulation.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS): The FSCS provides protection for clients; for insurance business, cover applies to 90% of the claim with no upper limit. Clients should confirm the specific coverage applicable to their arrangements.
Data protection: TPO treats all client personal information as private and confidential, with all employees bound by regularly reviewed policies and ongoing staff training to ensure data obligations are met.
Does The Private Office have good customer service?
On balance, The Private Office attracts strong reviews for client service. On Trustpilot, the firm holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Clients consistently highlight the personalised approach TPO advisers take, noting that they invest time in understanding individual needs and provide tailored advice across a range of financial situations including retirement planning and investments.
The level of professionalism and knowledge demonstrated by advisers also features frequently in positive reviews.
The firm views client feedback as central to regulatory compliance and continuous service improvement.
As with most large advice firms, a minority of reviewers have noted occasional communication delays or a feeling that follow-up was less responsive than expected after initial consultations.
These experiences are the exception rather than the norm, and the firm's emphasis on structured review processes and dedicated adviser relationships suggests these instances are actively managed rather than indicative of a systemic issue.
Final verdict: is The Private Office right for you?
The Private Office is a credible, well-regarded and independently accredited financial planning firm with genuine depth of expertise across the major areas of personal finance.
Its Chartered status, fixed-fee structure, and wholly independent approach mark it out as a firm that takes client outcomes seriously.
TPO is particularly well suited to individuals and families with complex or evolving financial needs, those approaching retirement with multiple pension arrangements, business owners navigating a liquidity event, or high-net-worth individuals balancing investments, estate planning and tax efficiency.
The firm's three service tiers; TPO Direct, TPO Premium and Family Office, also provide options for those at different stages of their financial journey.
The fee structure reflects the quality and breadth of the service on offer. For clients with straightforward needs, TPO Direct provides a more accessible entry point at 1% of invested capital.
For clients at the higher end of complexity, the fixed-fee model arguably represents fair value compared with percentage-based alternatives, particularly given the specialist expertise involved.
In summary, if you are looking for independent, holistic financial advice from a firm with serious credentials and a proven track record, The Private Office merits strong consideration.
Get expert financial advice
This review covers the key features and considerations of The Private Office as a financial planning firm, but every individual's circumstances are different.
Whether you are planning for retirement, consolidating pensions, managing investments or preparing your estate, working with a qualified, independent financial adviser can make a meaningful difference to your long-term financial outcomes.
Platforms like Unbiased make it straightforward to compare regulated advisers and find the right fit for your needs, budget and goals.
Taking the time to seek professional advice is one of the most valuable financial decisions you can make.
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