What is a Financial Adviser?
Many people think financial advisers simply recommend investments or pensions, but good financial planning is about much more than that. A financial adviser helps individuals and business owners make informed decisions about their financial future.
This can include retirement planning, pensions, investments, inheritance tax planning, protection, estate planning and helping clients understand whether they are on track to achieve their long-term goals. The best advisers don’t just focus on money.
They focus on what that money enables people to do. Whether that’s retiring earlier, building wealth or peace of mind, financial planning helps turn aspirations into achievable plans.
Tom Clark of Goodmans Financial Planning
Tom Clark is a Chartered Financial Planner at Goodmans Financial Planning, having joined the firm in 2021 after serving for a decade in the Royal Marines Commandos. His military background has helped shape the values he brings to his work, including integrity, discipline and a genuine commitment to helping others. Tom progressed rapidly through his professional qualifications and achieved Chartered Financial Planner status in 2025.
Goodmans Financial Planning has been helping clients across the South West since 1995 and specialises in retirement planning, investments, pensions and tax-efficient financial planning. The firm operates from offices in Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol and has built a strong reputation for delivering clear, client-focused advice. As Chartered Financial Planners, they represent the highest professional standards within the financial planning profession.
What particularly stands out about Goodmans is their emphasis on long-term relationships and helping clients achieve confidence in their financial future, rather than focusing solely on products or investments.
Watch and/or listen to our Tom (AKA The Bearded Accountant) interview Tom Clark, by clicking the links below:
James Swann of Continuum
James Swann is an Independent Financial Adviser and Partner at Continuum. Before entering the financial services profession, James spent 20 years serving in the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineer. His decision to leave the Navy came after making a promise to his daughter that being present for family life mattered more than another long deployment at sea.
That decision led him into financial planning, where he has built a career helping professionals, business owners and families make informed decisions about their financial future. James specialises in retirement planning, pensions, investments and financial protection. He takes a practical, straightforward approach to advice and focuses on helping clients understand their options without unnecessary jargon or complexity.
What stands out most about James is his belief that good advice starts with asking the right questions and listening carefully to the answers. Rather than focusing on products, he focuses on understanding people, their goals and what truly matters to them.
Holly Moody of Goodmans Financial Planning
Holly Moody is Financial Planning Director at Goodmans Financial Planning, leading the firm’s advice team and heading up their Plymouth office. Having joined Goodmans in 2015, Holly has progressed through the business to become one of its senior leaders and a key part of the firm’s continued success. She was appointed to the Goodmans board in 2023, reflecting both her expertise and the trust placed in her by the business.
As a qualified Financial Planner and Pension Transfer Specialist, Holly specialises in helping clients plan for retirement and build confidence in their financial future. She is known for her client-centred approach, taking the time to understand each client’s circumstances and helping them make informed decisions about the future they want to create.
What particularly stands out about Holly is her ability to explain complex financial matters clearly and her genuine commitment to helping clients achieve their goals. Time and again, clients praise her friendly, conscientious approach and the confidence she gives them when making important financial decisions.
How we work together
The relationship between accountants and financial advisers can be incredibly powerful when it works well. At JP Blackmoor, we often support clients with the tax, compliance and financial reporting side of their affairs. However, there are many occasions where a broader financial planning conversation is needed. This might involve:
- Planning for retirement
- Making pension contributions tax efficiently
- Reviewing investment strategies
- Estate and inheritance tax planning
- Protecting family wealth
- Understanding long-term financial goals
When these conversations arise, we are pleased to introduce clients to any of the advisors listed above. This collaborative approach helps avoid opportunities being missed and gives clients confidence that all of their advisers are working towards the same objectives.
Why we value them
Choosing professionals to recommend is not something we take lightly. When we refer a client to another adviser, our reputation is on the line. That’s why we only introduce people and businesses we genuinely trust.
The above advisors have consistently impressed us with their professionalism. They have great technical knowledge and the ability to explain complex financial matters in a straightforward and understandable way. More importantly, they genuinely care about achieving the right outcome for their clients, which is a core value of what we do at JP Blackmoor.
A partner we’re proud to recommend
We know that financial planning can often feel overwhelming. Having a trusted adviser alongside you can make a significant difference to your confidence and long-term financial wellbeing. For clients who need support, we’d be delighted to point you in the right direction and make an introduction
How JP Blackmoor can help
Speak to our team today and we can introduce you to the right financial planner
Disclaimer: Financial advice and planning is heavily regulated and JP Blackmoor cannot and will not provide financial advice or planning. Professional advice should always be sought from a suitably qualified and regulated individual.
