Everything that @PennyDeFuckwit says, times a million.
I’m a Chartered Financial Planner & Fellow (with several other relevant further qualifications/memberships) who runs a fully independent firm. I absolutely despair at the quality of the bulk of the other advisers I’ve met on my travels. I despise going to seminars (for CPD purposes) as it’s full of odious salesmen in shiny suits who have the bare minimum in qualifications and no technical knowledge. I massively resent the fact that I have to pay six figures each year in insurances, regulatory fees & compensation scheme levies because of poorly-trained advisers who flog absolute rubbish - it’s the good guys who end up paying for the shysters.
There ARE some brilliant planners about and they tend to be far better qualified, with a greater technical focus, understated (I don’t advertise my services at all - I’m kept busy with word of mouth referrals from happy clients) and less slick. Run at the sight of glossy brochures and client seminars in posh hotels! As others have said, St James’ Place are a well oiled sales machine. Better to ask around and find somebody trustworthy via word of mouth referrals from friends, colleagues etc.
You need a planner with the heart of a teacher, who can explain to you in layman’s terms why a particular route may or may not be a good idea for your circumstances. Quite often I’ll meet potential clients for the first time and after a long discussion, we’ll decide that the right route for them ISN’T to use our services but to plump for something very simple or to direct them to other specialists (e.g. a solicitor for a Deed of Variation).
OP, if you’re seriously considering property investments then do some reading on the upcoming EPC changes in 2026-2028 - I suspect the market will be flooded with older, less energy efficient properties in the coming few years as landlords try to avoid the £30k fines. Do also speak to a trusted accountant to work out the real likely net yields once you’ve taken into account ALL potential costs, void periods, maintenance/repairs and taxes.
Again, take appropriate advice (legal and accounting) if you’re considering trusts also - there are completely different tax treatments depending on the type of trust you use. A bare trust can seem more attractive initially but would be vulnerable if the children were to later divorce/be made bankrupt and could prove problematic if they wanted to buy their own properties down the line (as they would be precluded from any FTB incentives and may be subject to the additional rate of SDLT). Discretionary trusts offer more flexibility but tend to suffer a more penal tax regime. Make sure that the solicitor & accountant carefully set out for you the responsibilities in terms of reporting, entry charges, ongoing taxes, periodic charges and exit charges.