Every day you’re operating at 1000km/h.
You’ve got a business to run, employees to look after and a family to take care of.
Your life comes with a great deal of stress.
(Trust me, I know.)
So when it comes to financial planning; business owners and high-performance executives have a unique situation requiring a totally different look at their wealth.
Here’s why…
You're part of a highly differentiated group, with distinct characteristics, needs and goals.
You also represent one of the largest segments of high-net-worth individuals.
As part of this elite group, you are:
1. A leader who establishes and holds yourself to higher goals.
2. Well paid.
3. Considered a key decision-maker in work and life.
4. A global citizen with assets across multiple countries.
5. An investor whose ultimate goal is financial independence.
6. A dedicated and committed member of your family and community.
7. A knowledgeable investor but lack the time to manage your investments alone.
For you, financial planning is not just about addressing the basic principles of investing…
But about taking into account who you are, what you desire, your family and work obligations and unique, global lifestyle.
Because of this you probably worry more about your finances.
You want to know what makes your investments tick, how the markets are doing and where best to put your money.
Your financial planner needs to be top of their game, always acting ethically and over communicating and reporting.
At the same time, they should completely take the management of your finances off your hands so you can dedicate more time to things you actually enjoy doing.
Can you relate?
Ultimately, you want to achieve financial peace of mind which, in my experience, comes down to these five pillars:
1. Maximising the rewards of working as an executive
2. Achieving financial independence
3. Planning for and minimising taxes
4. Planning for others
5. Managing risk
Maximising the rewards of working as an executive
The first pillar should start with understanding, thoughtfully negotiating and capitalising on all of your employment and ancillary agreements, including fixed and variable compensation, equity incentives, restrictive covenants, changes of control and other key considerations.
Countless opportunities are lost because of a failure to focus on these basic matters.
Countless opportunities can be seized by paying proper attention to them.
Achieving financial independence
Financial independence describes the point at which your financial goals are achieved and retirement becomes possible.
Financial planning and savings are at the centre of this, including a focus on building, preserving and distributing wealth.
As a high-performance executive, your high earnings, possible company shares and lucrative bonus structures make achieving this pillar even more possible.
But it requires proper planning, ensuring your money is placed in investment vehicles that will make it work for you.
I’ve seen far too many executives over the years who’ve not only invested in the wrong products, but were unable to access their money when they wanted to.
Planning for and minimising taxes
Tax planning is an excellent example of how the five pillars are interrelated, as it is part of each of the other pillars.
While planning for and minimising taxes should be a basic part of any financial plan, there are important areas of focus for corporate executives.
As a senior international executive or business owner, your financial house is more complex.
Your tax obligations therefore require careful planning and structuring to ensure you’re not paying more than you should…
Or have any nasty surprises along the way – like when you decide to move back ‘home’ for example.
Planning for others
You have a sense of commitment for your loved ones and initiatives you hold dear to your heart.
This pillar focuses on your dependants, estate planning and philanthropic planning.
While everyone has a sense of commitment, executives and business owners have unique needs.
Some of which include asset tilting, beneficiary designations, trust utilisation, charitable trusts, legacy planning and more.
Managing risk
Risk management for corporate executives takes many forms.
It must include an assessment of all investment risks, including concentrated exposure to your employer’s equity, general insurance assessment, the possibility of job loss, and more.
Managing risk requires planning for any and all eventualities – ensuring there is a buffer in place should life take a different direction.
Proper foresight into your unique opportunities and challenges will give you a great sense of security.
I hope this sheds light on the specialised financial plan you require.
I completely understand how muddy the world of international finance can be – especially when you have multiple accounts, investments, policies and goals you’re planning for.
So, business owner to business owner, how about I offer you this…
A free second opinion on your portfolio of £1 million or more.
It comes with absolutely no obligation but could reveal where your money’s not working for you.
Or, the opposite…
It could prove your investments are properly set up – in which case, we’ll send you on your way.
