FAQs

Yes. CD Financial Ltd is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Yes, you can choose the meeting style that works best for you. We offer face-to-face meetings at our Shifnal office, as well as appointments by Microsoft Teams or phone.

Face-to-face meetings are usually held at our office in the heart of Shifnal, Shropshire. Depending on your location and circumstances, home appointments may also be possible.

While we don’t have parking directly outside the office, there are two free car parks in Shifnal (Aston Street and Kings Yard), as well as kerbside parking just down from our office. We are also a short walk from Shifnal train station. Our team will make sure you have the practical details you need ahead of your appointment.

CD Financial was founded by Claire Dentith in 2015, after beginning her career as a financial adviser in 2003. Since then, the firm has focused on building long-term relationships and helping individuals and families take control of their finances.

We are based in Shifnal, Shropshire, and work with clients both locally and across the UK. Meetings can be held in person, by phone or by Microsoft Teams, so distance does not need to be a barrier.

Claire Dentith, our founder, is a Chartered financial planner and holds the APFS and DipPFS qualifications. Chartered status reflects a commitment to the highest professional standards, technical knowledge and ongoing development.

Yes, we have an array of written testimonials from our clients, which we gather on two platforms, Google and VouchedFor. We are also proud to say that, on both platforms, we are rated 5 out of 5.

What makes CD Financial different is the personal care we bring to every client relationship. We treat every client who walks through our doors as an individual, taking the time to understand what matters most to you, so you can leave feeling informed, reassured and empowered to make the right choices. You are supported by a respectful, collaborative and genuinely caring team, led by Claire Dentith, a Chartered financial planner, and we are committed to supporting clients and the wider community.

Our FCA registration number is 667763. You can use this number to check our authorisation on the FCA Register.

We are based in Shifnal and work with clients across Shropshire and the surrounding areas, including Telford, Wolverhampton, Bridgnorth and further afield. We can also work with clients remotely by phone or video call where appropriate, meaning that we are able to service clients across the UK.

Yes, we provide mortgage advice and can help first-time buyers, home movers, remortgagers and clients considering later-life lending. We aim to make the process clearer and easier to manage from start to finish.

We can help with later-life lending, which may include discussing whether equity release could be suitable for your circumstances. Equity release is not right for everyone, so we will explain the potential benefits, risks and alternatives before any recommendation is made.

Yes, we advise on personal pensions as a key aspect of wider financial planning. We will consider your goals, timescales, attitude to risk and retirement plans before making any recommendation.

Yes, we can advise on many types of occupational and workplace pension arrangements. We will look at how these fit with your wider retirement plans and help you understand your options.

Yes, we can review your existing pensions and help you understand whether consolidating them may be suitable. We will consider charges, features, investment options, guarantees and your long-term goals before making any recommendation.

Yes, we can help you plan how to take pension benefits in a way that supports your income needs and wider financial goals. Tax rules can change, and the right approach will depend on your personal circumstances.

Yes, we can discuss ethical or sustainable investment preferences as part of your financial plan. We will consider what matters to you and explain the options available where they are suitable.

Yes, we can help you decide how to use or invest an inheritance in a way that supports your goals. We will consider your need for access, tax position, attitude to risk and wider financial plans before making recommendations.

Yes, we can advise on self-invested personal pensions where they are suitable for your circumstances. We will explain the flexibility, costs and risks involved, and consider whether a SIPP fits your wider retirement plan.

This is a specialist area of advice and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have a final salary pension or defined benefit pension, we will explain what support we can provide and whether a referral to a specialist may be more appropriate.

Yes, we can support later-life planning, including conversations around care, income, estate planning and passing wealth to loved ones. We will help you understand your options and plan in a way that reflects your priorities.

Yes, we can help with Inheritance Tax planning and wider estate planning as part of your financial plan. Where legal documents or specialist legal advice are required, we can work alongside your solicitor.

Yes, we can advise on ISAs and other investment options as part of your broader financial plan. We will consider your goals, timescales, attitude to risk and tax position before making recommendations.

Yes, we can advise on protection, including life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection. We will help you understand what cover you may need, how much is appropriate and how it fits with your wider financial plan.

Yes, our initial “getting to know you” meeting is provided at no cost. It gives us the opportunity to understand you and explain how we work before you decide whether to proceed.

We are transparent about our fees and will explain the costs before you decide to proceed. Our website sets out the fees for our ongoing financial planning service.

Our minimum fee for a financial planning client is typically £500 per year. We will explain all fees clearly before you decide whether to proceed.

We charge a £495 flat fee for a basic initial financial plan. We will talk you through what this includes before any chargeable work begins.

We take a percentage of invested assets for our ongoing financial planning service. You can see the details of this on our fees page.

For investment and pension advice, we will explain any fees and charges clearly before you proceed. For protection or mortgage-related products, commission may be paid by the provider, and we will explain this to you where it applies.

No, we do not charge VAT for our services. We will explain the full cost of working with us before you decide whether to proceed.

We publish our financial planning fees clearly on our website for both our financial planning service and mortgage advice service so you can see what you pay and what is included. We believe transparency is important, and we will explain all costs before you make any decisions.

We aim to provide clear, fair and transparent fees that reflect the value of the advice and ongoing support you receive. As such, we publish our financial planning fees clearly on our website for both our financial planning service and mortgage advice service, so you can see what you pay and what is included. We encourage you to compare our fees and service with other firms so you can make an informed decision.

You can find our financial planning fees for both our financial planning service and mortgage advice service in the links provided. We will also talk you through the costs during your initial meeting and confirm them before any chargeable work begins.

Many regulated financial products may be eligible for Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection, subject to the scheme’s rules and limits. We will explain the protection that may apply to any recommendation we make, but FSCS protection does not prevent investments from falling in value.

If you have a complaint, please contact us and we will explain our complaints process clearly. As CD Financial is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, complaints will be handled in line with the relevant regulatory requirements.

We take the security of your personal information seriously and handle your data in line with our Privacy Policy. We will only use your information for the purposes explained to you and will keep it secure in line with our responsibilities.

Yes, firms providing regulated financial advice are required to hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance. This helps protect clients and supports the advice process.

You can check CD Financial’s details using the FCA Register, using our registration number, 667763. CD Financial Ltd is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Yes, our website features video testimonials from our clients covering financial planning and mortgage advice. In addition, you can read our numerous reviews on both Google and VouchedFor. These testimonials help show how we support clients in real life and what it feels like to work with our team.

We carry out client surveys on a regular basis to understand clients’ experiences of working with us. In our most recent survey, results showed that 98% of clients would recommend us, 98% believe working with us has helped or will help them achieve their goals, and 99% were satisfied that we understood their needs, goals and aspirations.

Our advisers have been included in VouchedFor’s Top Rated Guide for three consecutive years, including the 2026 guide distributed by the Times and the Telegraph. This accolade is driven entirely by the feedback our clients provide.

Yes, our advisers are featured on VouchedFor, where clients can leave verified reviews. We are proud to have more than 80 reviews and an overall rating of 5 out of 5.

Yes, we can help you understand whether retiring early may be realistic and what steps you may need to take. We will look at your income needs, pensions, investments and wider goals to help you build a plan for the future.

Yes, retirement planning is one of the key areas we help clients with. Whether you are approaching retirement or already retired, or simply thinking about the future, we can help you understand your options and plan your income with confidence.

We work with a wide range of clients, including business owners, self-employed people, retirees, young professionals and those going through major life events. Our advice is built around your goals, and tailored to your circumstances.

Yes, we work with younger professionals and families who want to start planning for the future. We can help you put strong foundations in place, from pensions and investments to protection and mortgage planning.

Yes, we work with business owners, senior professionals and self-employed clients. We can help you manage your personal finances, plan for the future and make informed decisions while you focus on your business.

Yes, we work with clients who are approaching retirement and those who have already retired. We help you review your income, set goals and plan for the years ahead.

Yes, we can help if you have received an inheritance and are unsure what to do next. We will help you consider your goals, tax position, need for access and whether investing is suitable for you.

Yes, we can help business owners plan before or after a sale. This may include investing sale proceeds, planning retirement, managing tax considerations and aligning your wealth with your long-term goals.

Yes, we can provide support after a bereavement at a pace that feels right for you. We can help you understand existing arrangements, make sense of your options and plan for the future with care and sensitivity.

Yes, we regularly work with business owners, self-employed people, retirees and professionals. The common thread is that our clients want clear, personal advice that helps them feel more confident about their financial future.

No, we do not offer financial advice for expats or non-UK residents. Our service is designed for UK residents with UK-based financial arrangements.

Yes, we can review your existing pensions and investments to understand whether they still meet your needs. We will consider costs, suitability, risk and how they fit with your wider plan before recommending any changes.

The best way to find out whether our service is right for you is to arrange an initial meeting. We can then understand your circumstances and explain how we may be able to help.

You can book an initial meeting by calling us, emailing the team, or completing the contact form on our website. We will then arrange a convenient time for your initial meeting and explain how we may be able to help.

No, there is no fee for the initial “getting to know you” meeting. It is an opportunity for us to understand your goals, circumstances and concerns, and for you to decide whether we are the right fit for you, with no obligation to proceed with our services.

When you book your appointment, our team will confirm exactly what you need to bring. For financial planning meetings, we generally ask for ID, proof of income, a breakdown of savings, investments and pensions, and your National Insurance number. For mortgage meetings, please bring ID, proof of income, details of any outstanding credit commitments and savings information.

The first meeting is all about getting to know you. We will talk through your goals, circumstances, aspirations and concerns, explain how we work, and discuss the costs involved if you choose to proceed.

We recommend allowing up to 90 minutes for your initial meeting. This gives us enough time to understand what matters to you, answer your questions and explain the next steps without rushing.

No, there is no obligation to proceed after the initial meeting. We want you to feel comfortable, informed and confident before deciding whether to work with us.

Yes, you can work with Claire Dentith, our founder and Director. Claire is a Chartered financial planner and director at CD Financial.

If your financial adviser is away, another member of our team will be available to help. We work closely as a team, so you can still receive support when you need it.

If you choose our ongoing service, we will review your needs regularly and stay in touch throughout the year when required. Your review can take place annually or biennially, depending on the service you choose, your needs and your preferences.

Yes, cashflow planning can form part of the advice process where it is relevant to your goals. It helps you understand how your finances could develop over time and whether your plans remain on track.

If your circumstances change, we will review your plan and consider whether any adjustments are needed. Life rarely stands still, so our ongoing service is designed to help your financial plan adapt with you.

Yes, with your permission, we can work alongside your accountant, solicitor or other professional advisers. This helps ensure your financial planning fits with your wider personal, tax and legal affairs.

Yes, where appropriate and with your consent, we can liaise with your mortgage adviser and provide relevant information. CD Financial also provides mortgage advice, so we are experienced in considering financial planning and mortgage needs together.

If your adviser were to leave the firm, we would ensure you continue to be supported by another suitable member of the team. We would manage the handover carefully so your plan, records and ongoing service continue smoothly.

We can explain what a financial plan typically includes and how the process works before you decide to proceed. Any examples would be for illustration only and would not be personalised advice, as plans typically contain confidential information.

Yes, where your investments are held on a platform that provides online access, you will be able to view valuations online. We will explain how this works when your arrangements are set up.

Yes, CD Financial provides access to client portals, helping clients view relevant information about their financial arrangements online. The client portal link can be found here.

This depends on the ongoing service you choose and the level of support you need. You can choose an annual or biennial review service, and we are also available when you need support between scheduled reviews.