WELCOME TO MERCER AND ASSOCIATES WEALTH MANAGEMENT

WELCOME TO MERCER AND ASSOCIATES WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Mercer & Associates Wealth Management are based in the heart of Chester city centre and provide holistic wealth management services to Private Clients, Business Owners, Trustees and Charities. This is delivered through personal face-to-face relationships founded on trust, excellent service and superior wealth management planning. We help clients create bespoke financial planning solutions based on their individual circumstances through the implementation of a straightforward, or, if necessary, a complex multi-faceted plan. We strive to provide excellence in all aspects of our business and pride ourselves on our attention to detail and strategic approach. We are proud to have developed extremely strong long-term relationships with our clients by delivering exceptional service and quality advice.

One of the primary strengths of Mercer & Associates is the substantial support and resource structure backing them. Stuart Gillies, Retired Global IT Infrastructure Manager of Major Oil Company

ABOUT ST. JAMES S PLACE WEALTH MANAGEMENT MMercer & Associates are proud to be a Partner Practice of the prestigious St. James s Place Wealth Management. It is an award winning FTSE 250 business with funds under management in excess of 41 billion, and is well established as one of the UK s leading wealth management organisations. Together we specialise in meeting the financial needs of people who have created significant capital, or who earn higher incomes, and whose circumstances are therefore more complicated than most. Having our business aligned with St. James s Place gives our clients access to an unlimited resource of technical expertise, support and specialists of all disciplines and is of a significant benefit to the nature of advice and service we provide. wealthadviser AWARDS 2013 Best Private Client Asset Manager UK 2012/13 FINALIST ST. JAMES S PLACE TOP IN SECTOR: INSURANCE PAGE 5

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU At Mercer & Associates we offer wealth management advice to Private Clients, Business Owners, Trustees and Charities. Our services include: INVESTMENTS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT GENERAL INSURANCE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TRUST & ESTATE PLANNING BUILDING & PRESERVING CAPITAL FINANCIAL PROTECTION AGAINST RISK LONG-TERM CARE HEALTH INSURANCE PENSIONS & PENSION ANNUITIES MANAGING CASH & BORROWINGS LIFE ASSURANCE CASH SAVINGS MORTGAGES COMMERCIAL LENDING Some of these are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our extensive range of services enables us to work with clients to aim to achieve the three most fundamental and common objectives: Create and grow wealth Mitigate taxation Protect assets Other services To complement and enhance our range of services we also have access to carefully selected external providers, through St. James s Place. They believe that these providers represent the best of breed in their respective fields and are capable of delivering the high standards of service you would expect. More information on these products and services is available from us upon request. PAGE 6

THE ST. JAMES S PLACE DISTINCTIVE APPROACH TO INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SSuccessful investment, whether it is in the form of pension provision, capital creation or income maintenance, is critical to your future well-being, but it is a field which presents a unique challenge as future performance is unpredictable. Unlike most other financial services companies, St. James s Place does not employ in-house fund managers because we believe that no single investment house has a monopoly of investment expertise. Instead, a number of respected external investment houses are carefully selected to look after our range of funds. The cornerstone of this approach is the Investment Committee, which is advised by the respected independent investment consulting firm Stamford Associates. The Investment Committee has the responsibility of selecting, monitoring and changing external fund managers. The Committee meets quarterly to review performance and consider detailed reports from each external firm. If a change in the market place calls for the addition of another firm, the Committee will select one. If the Committee loses confidence in the ability of an existing firm of managers it will replace them, without any tax implications or charges to the client. This approach gives us the flexibility to respond to market conditions as they change and the certainty that we are employing the best fund managers. The value of an investment with St. James s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested. The levels and basis of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances. PAGE 7

Mercer and Associates have always been there to help my family and I. Nick Williams, Retired

INHERITANCE TAX AND ESTATE PLANNING WWe can create and implement highly effective tax-minimisation strategies, with a particular emphasis on reducing your estate s liability to Inheritance Tax. If you are deciding who is to benefit from your Estate or are expecting an Inheritance yourself, careful planning can prove of vital importance. Inheritance Tax affects an increasing number of families and therefore, effective use of the current exemptions should be made. We are able to offer a diverse and innovative approach to financial planning, using not only the products available through St. James s Place, but also a number of leading products by specialists in their field. These include: Specially tailored schemes for Inheritance Tax Suitable Trusts (not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) Estate planning that can include the use of Investment vehicles and Protection plans PAGE 9

Dynamic, lateral thinking, highly knowledgeable and focus on attention to detail. Chris Stanley, Civil Engineer

OUR SERVICE FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS We provide an extensive range of holistic financial planning solutions for the needs of private individuals and cover all aspects. This includes making sure wealth is protected from tax and third party claims to maximising capital for growth or income within an appropriate risk tolerance and such solutions are tailored bespoke to clients precise needs. In simple terms we help clients understand how most effectively to place their capital so they and their families enjoy the benefit of their hard earned wealth. We regularly collaborate with our high net worth private client department in head office to construct bespoke solutions when a more sophisticated and robust solution is required. Some of the areas we specialise in are as follows: Investment planning for capital growth or income Tax mitigation strategies Trust planning Inheritance tax and estate planning Inter generational planning Pre & Post retirement planning Mortgage planning Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The value of an investment with St. James s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

OUR SERVICE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS We specialise in advising Business Owners on a wide range of complex matters adopting a strategic approach. A focused emphasis on tax planning ensures they have a structured financial plan for their business and for themselves as individuals. We regularly help clients to implement an array of specialist financial products, which together fit harmoniously as part of an overall plan designed to maximise tax reliefs and are legitimate, predictable and non aggressive. Some of the areas of planning we regularly advise on include the following: Succession & trust planning * Protecting your business and key people in it Tax efficient profit extraction strategies Aspects of exit planning Creating financial independence from your business The financial relationship between you and your business Corporate Investments Tax specialist Investments Maintaining business and agricultural property relief Keeping the capital value of a business protected for your loved ones * Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority PAGE 12

OUR SERVICE FOR TRUSTEES We have specialised for many years in providing bespoke solutions to trustees and are fluent with trust legislation and law and understand the complex world of trusts. We adopt a pragmatic approach to help our clients understand the complexities of trusts in a simple, straightforward fashion, which enables clarity over important decisions. In particular, we have a lot of experience and expertise in dealing with recipients of Personal Injury awards and understand clearly, all of the considerations and issues a client would need to take into account to protect them and their family.

OUR ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU Throughout this brochure we have talked about our desire to build a long-term relationship with you. From the moment that you decide to become a client, we will demonstrate the value of this relationship through the service that we deliver to you. Whatever the level of your investment, it is as important to us as it is to you. We will keep you informed of the way in which we are looking after your wealth by giving you access to online valuation services through our website, as well as an annual valuation report and net worth statement. We will also discuss the level of ongoing service you would like. Primarily this will involve holding regular review meetings, either face-to-face or via the telephone, to discuss your investments and personal circumstances, making sure that whatever decisions you have made remain appropriate and continue to meet your objectives. Whatever your ongoing requirements, we will do our best to satisfy them and will agree with you at the outset what you can expect and when. Whatever the frequency of the regular contact with us, you should feel free to contact us at any time to discuss any aspect of your investment. As we said earlier, putting you firmly at the centre of everything we do is core to our culture. At Mercer & Associates, your relationship with us starts, rather than ends, at the point you decide to invest. PAGE 14

VIEW FROM A CLIENT S PERSPECTIVE Darren has been my advisor for many years now and in that time he has rationalised what was a complex set of investments, ensured that proper tax management is in place and helped me make suitable provision for my children. He has also given me access to specialist tax and trust advice when that was necessary. My affairs are now much simpler and better documented, and undoubtedly more fruitful as well. Throughout the period, and with the support of the St. James s Place back office, Darren has provided meticulous documentation and thorough analysis, giving me the confidence to know that my affairs are in good hands. It has also been a pleasure to deal with him and his team. STUART GILLIES Retired Global IT Infrastructure Manager for Global Oil Company The moment we met Darren we were put at ease. His professional approach was reassuring and his knowledge of Wealth Management was very impressive. It was the best move we have made in years and are very satisfied with the results. His staff are competent and well mannered and react very quickly when there is a rare problem. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to others. PHIL & JULIE LESLIE Directors An organisation I have every confidence in especially at these very awkward financial times. To me personally they have been a great asset especially when I look at my Wealth Account. I would have no hesitation in giving my lottery winnings to St. James s Place should it ever happen and know my money is in safe and caring hands. DAVE ELLIS Retired Mercer & Associates provide us with an exemplary service which is firmly focused on our best interests and long-term financial security. Their expertise is strongly supported by an efficient and thorough administration team. Our financial arrangements are constantly reviewed and communicated and we are kept up to date with any relevant changes. Outstanding all round service. JAMES & LIZ WRIGHT Directors Mercer & Associates have an excellent understanding of the investment world and associated tax implications. VAUGHAN GRIFFITHS Serial Entrepreneur

Linenhall House, 88-90 Watergate Street, Chester, CH1 2LR Tel: 01244 409610 Fax: 01244 409611 Email: mercerandassociates@sjpp.co.uk Website: www.mercerandassociates.co.uk Mercer & Associates Wealth Management Ltd represents only St. James s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The St. James s Place Partnership and the titles Partner and Partner Practice are marketing terms used to describe St. James s Place representatives. 12/13