Why choose Portland?
We are specialist advisers to the mature and retired market in Shropshire & Powys.
If you are struggling to make sense of all the options you have for making the most of your money in later life, you’ve come to the right place.
Ben Walters has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1975, and set up Portland Financial Planning in 1992 as he felt there was a gap in the market for good personal financial planning, especially for the elderly and retired.
“When I set up the business my mother was in a nursing home, where she resided for 4 and a half years, and I became involved in planning the funding of her nursing care.
This brought home to me the problems that many people have in managing their money later in life, as all financial advisers wanted to do in those days was sell pensions. Since this time I have always felt a particular affinity and empathy with my older clients. I am naturally a very patient person which they seem to appreciate, and this helps when explaining the options available to them.”
Ben has gained the Level 4 Diploma in Financial Services, a qualification that has been mandatory since 2013. He is also qualified to give Long Term Care advice.
Ben was born in Grantham, but has lived in Shropshire for over 60 years. He is married to Jennie, who is a director in the company and is a retired teaching support assistant. They have three adult children, three beautiful granddaughters and a bouncy Border Collie.
Hannah Edwards, Ben’s daughter, joined the family business in 2016 and is now a fully qualified Financial Adviser. Before joining Portland Hannah worked as a Care Assistant in a Care Home before becoming a Qualified Nurse. She then worked as an NHS Nurse for 18 years specialising in Cardiology and Elderly Care so she now brings a wealth of experience, empathy and patience to her new role as a Financial Adviser.
Bryony Walters, Ben’s eldest daughter has worked as a Financial Administrator within Portland Financial Planning since 2002 and supports the day to day running of the business.
In 2020 the business became a Limited company and has moved into a new purpose built office in the garden of the family home in Shrewsbury, giving us more space as the company continues to grow.
COVID-19 Update
In these challenging and uncertain times we want to reassure clients we are “open for business”. We are still contactable by phone or email at all times and are now pleased to announce that we have introduced the option to have a meeting via Zoom, web based video conferencing service. We are continuing to contact clients as per your normal review months but remember we are here if you want to discuss your finances or the current market situation at any time. Stay Safe and Keep Healthy.