06/09/2026
The government’s decision to include unused pension funds in the taxable estate from 6th April next year, will have a significant impact on the level of inheritance tax that will be paid.
It shines a light on the need for professional advice from a STEP qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP).
We are fortunate to have Robin Melley on our team as the lead financial and STEP qualified trust and estate practitioner.
For anyone with an estate (including pensions) over £1m in value, interested in receiving sound independent professional advice, email Robin at [email protected] or contact us via our website.
Advising Families
02/09/2026
We are extremely proud to announce that our Managing Director, and lead financial planner, Robin Melley has been awarded Fellowship of The CISI.
Robin exemplifies our commitment, as a team, to professional development and demonstrating the highest standards of technical competence and ethical behaviour, with a focus on achieving great outcomes for clients.
Robin is renowned for being modest, so we wanted to publicly recognise this fabulous achievement, which is the highest qualification (with the possible exception of a PhD!) in the profession of financial planning.
He did once say, "please shoot me if I ever suggest doing a PhD." 😆
STEP
Advising Families
31/07/2026
Interesting little article published by STEP and Advising Families on inheritance tax receipts breaching £7bn for the first time, and rising despite the number of estates paying IHT falling.
It also highlights the impact of business relief (BR) and agricultural property relief (APR) on larger estates.
https://www.step.org/industry-news/uk-iht-liabilities-top-gbp7-billion-first-time
In our experience the best outcomes for affluent families with complex circumstances, are achieved through a collaborative approach between suitably qualified financial planners, such as this practice, and private client lawyers who specialise.
The key reason that lawyers need to work with properly qualified financial planners on estate planning is because it’s the only way of reconciling the inherent conflict between estate planning, retirement planning, later life care planning, catastrophe planning and living a better life now.
At the heart of the planning is accurate analysis and cashflow forecasting 👍
Not leaving estate planning until it becomes urgent is also crucial. Deathbed planning is valuable but we are limited as to what legitimate planning can be implemented.
With IHT on pensions in 9 month’s time, that £7bn is going to increase, but starting now with careful planning will help clients to mitigate the liability on their estates and protect accumulated family wealth for generations to come, without jeopardising their lifetime planning 😊
Get in touch on 01746 712900 or contact us via our website for an initial discussion on estate planning.
23/07/2026
We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Association of Lifetime Lawyers Twilight Awards.
This is a joint shortlisting with a Shropshire based private client solicitor for collaborative work we undertook to help a client in vulnerable circumstances.
This was professional work we are very proud of because, by working together with a suitably qualified solicitor, we created a great outcome through blending financial planning and legal advice.
The truth is that neither the solicitor nor our team could have achieved what we achieved, working in isolation. The key was collaboration 😊
Anyone having to deal with the complexities of estate planning, later life care and perhaps wanting to leave a valuable legacy, get in touch with our lead financial planner, Robin Melley on 01746 712900 for an initial discussion to see if we can help.
21/07/2026
Our Managing Director, Robin Melley, quoted in today’s Daily Mail on whether an attorney appointed by a lasting or enduring power of attorney can sack the accountant or financial adviser and appoint replacements.
Advising Families STEP
Can I use power of attorney to sack useless money advisers?
I hold joint power of attorney for a family friend with dementia. She already had an accountant and financial adviser she's known for years. The trouble is neither is any good.
25/06/2026
An article written my Robin Melley, published by Advising Families, that will be of interest to anyone grappling with inheritance tax.
The changes to Business Relief, Agricultural Property Relief and the inclusion of pensions in the taxable estate, has shone a light on the need for professional advice
Can you use life insurance to pay an inheritance tax? 🤔
In this article by estate planning specialist Robin Melley TEP from Matrix Capital you can learn more about:
☑️How life insurance can help with inheritance tax
☑️Types of arrangement – whole of life cover and seven-year term policies for gifts
☑️Things to consider – pros and cons of the different options
📖Read more in the article – link in bio.
📞Speak to an estate planning specialist – link in bio.
17/03/2026
Gary Matthews Announcement!
Gary Matthews has decided to step down as a director of Matrix Capital Limited within the next few weeks to enable him to devote more time to travelling to Edinburgh to help his elderly parents who are now in need of additional support.
The good news for us and our clients is that he has agreed to stay on as a consultant, on a part-time basis, to help continue to deliver a high quality service to our valued financial planning clients.
From a personal perspective, although Gary will remain involved, I wanted to take a moment say how much I have enjoyed working alongside Gary over the last 21 years. We have both been ‘shoulder to the wheel’ and we have been through challenging times as well as experiencing moments of pure joy in building Matrix Capital Financial Planning as a respected professional practice, privileged to be looking after the financial affairs of wonderful clients.
I shall miss him being sat next to me every day, but I’m delighted that he will remain involved as a consultant.
So, it is not so much a parting of ways, but a change in the way in which we will work as a team.
Finally, I wanted to express huge gratitude to Gary for his loyalty, high intellect and unwavering focus on helping us achieve great outcomes for clients. He is the consummate professional, a man that I would trust with my life. His reason for wanting to step down is an example of his strong family values and why he is admired and respected by team members, other professionals we work with and clients.
Robin Melley