Donnelly Financial Advice

As some of you may be aware, one of our daughters is hearing impaired, so we have been learning sign language to better support and communicate with her as a family, using both sign and speech.

We’re very proud to announce that we’ve passed our British Sign Language Level 1 certificate.

This means that we can now have a simple conversation using sign language with her.

Onwards and upwards to the next level now.

Have any of you been learning a new language?

As we are all still a fairly new team together, and we all worked really hard coming to tax year end, we thought we deserved a little treat day and to spend some quality time together.

It’s important to us to to where we live in , so we popped along to the .workshops in to experience one of the arts and crafts sessions.

We chose the Nerikomi Pottery Class, where we made a plant pot, as we felt you didn’t need to be talented at drawing or painting for that. What great fun! We would recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to;
🤩 Lisa Yazdabadi for teaching us a new skill
🤩 Felicity Taylor and Joanna Davis for hosting us at The Hive
🤩 Our team, for all the hard work you do for our clients, keep it up

We are looking forward to seeing the final result of our pottery soon.

This month John Donnelly and Tara-Beth Donnelly have been celebrating with friends and family on their Wedding Days.

First to tie the knot was Lisa King and Jason Simpson at in . More recently was Callum Rushforth and Naomi Gallagher at in .

You all looked spectacular and we really enjoyed celebrating with you.

However, being that we work in financial advice, on our journeys to and from the weddings, we discussed that getting married (or entering into a civil partnership) isn’t all about the ring, dress and honeymoon. There are financial benefits to it too, such as spousal exemptions and inheritance tax benefits.

So, after you have met that perfect partner for life, but are still a little unsure if getting married is right for you, talk to us about the benefits.

Feeling overwhelmed by your pension options? You’re not alone.

One of the most common things we hear is: “I didn’t realise there were so many ways to take my pension… and I don’t know which one is right for me.”

And that’s completely understandable. When you reach the point of accessing your pension, you’ll usually have several choices, whether that’s taking a lump sum, using drawdown, buying an annuity, or blending different approaches. Each route works differently, and each person’s circumstances, goals, and tax position are unique.

That’s why there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. The right path depends on your situation, your lifestyle, income needs, family plans, health and long‑term priorities.

As a financial advice firm, this is exactly where we help. Our job isn’t just to explain the options (although we're very happy to do that), but to help you understand what each one could mean for you personally, without any guesswork, confusion, or pressure.

If you’re approaching retirement, thinking about accessing your pension for the first time, or simply want clarity, we're here to guide you through your choices in a clear and confident way.

If you’d like to explore what your options might look like, feel free to get in touch.

You don’t need to navigate this alone.

Last week John Donnelly attend the 10th anniversary of Sutton Soup, held at St Nicholas Church in .

Donnelly Financial Advice has been sponsoring Sutton Soup for a while now, and it was lovely to receive a note from the organiser Jeff Richards;

“As one of our valued business sponsors, your support has been instrumental in helping Sutton Soup grow over the past ten years. Thanks to you, we have been able to sustain the event, invest in equipment, cover essential costs and increase the prize funding for local community projects. We would love the opportunity to thank you in person and celebrate this milestone together”.

This time the winner of the prize pot, which was £1,450, was Neuro Therapy Centre. They are a great charity who focus on targeted physiotherapy and exercise programmes designed to help people manage symptoms related to neurological conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s and stroke-related issues amongst others. Research-backed approaches are used to improve gait, balance, mobility, fatigue and overall independence.

Congratulations and keep up the great work you do. Very proud to be able to help by sponsoring Sutton Soup.

More UK workers are choosing a gradual transition into retirement, rather than stopping work completely.

This flexible approach can include reducing hours, moving into consultancy or trying a new role altogether. It can help maintain income, purpose and wellbeing while adjusting to new routines.

However, uncertainty around pension rules and tax treatment has left many cautious, sometimes prompting rushed financial decisions that may be regretted later. With more options than ever before, careful planning and expert advice are key.

Whatever your path to retirement looks like, we’re here to help you make confident, long-term decisions that align with your goals and lifestyle.

A new tax year brings a fresh set of allowances, updated rules and the chance to review how your financial plans are structured. It’s also a moment when some people choose to reassess their approach for the year ahead, as early planning could influence how effectively different allowances and tax-efficient options are used.

There are several options individuals can explore depending on their goals and personal circumstances. For example, an ISA allowance becomes available again at the start of each tax year and using it earlier in the year can give investments more time in the market. People also often revisit their capital gains position, look at how pension contributions interact with tax relief, or review options related to Inheritance Tax, including the role of lifetime gifting.

Upcoming rule changes, such as pensions becoming more closely linked to Inheritance Tax from April 2027, mean it’s increasingly useful to understand how various assets work together. Remember, tax rules can change and the impact of taxation and any tax relief depends on your circumstances, including where you live.

If you are planning for the year ahead and need any help, we can help you review your financial plans and check they still align with your personal objectives. Get in touch.

📩 [email protected]
📞 020 8138 5960

🐣 Happy Easter from Donnelly Financial Advice! 🐣

As we enjoy some well-earned time off with family, friends and chocolate eggs (hopefully some spring sunshine), it’s also a great time to pause and reflect.

We’re closed over the easter break; however, our website will still be working hard if you need to contact us;

📩 [email protected]
📞 020 8138 5960

Enjoy the long weekend — you’ve earned it!

Retirement Planning | Saving & Investments | Estate Planning | Insurance | Equity Release | Mortgage Broker

We recently had a photoshoot with a wonderful local based photographer Ally Whitlock from .

It’s never easy having your photo taken, especially outside, however Ally made it all seem possible and put us at ease.

We’re very pleased with the results. Hope you all agree? Only nice comments below please 👇

Thank you so much Ally for being so wonderful. If you’re thinking about getting brand photography done for your business, we would recommend Ally.