About Ancient Liability

Independent pension advice built on experience, integrity, and a genuine commitment to your financial security.

Our Story

Ancient Liability began in 2011 when our founder, after witnessing too many people reach retirement unprepared, decided there had to be a better approach to pension advice. The financial crisis had shaken confidence in traditional advisory models, and people were searching for guidance they could actually trust.

Starting with a small office in London and a commitment to transparent, client-focused service, we grew steadily through referrals and reputation. We've never chased rapid expansion. Instead, we've focused on building lasting relationships with clients who value thorough, independent advice.

Today, we work with individuals and businesses across the UK, but our approach hasn't changed. We still believe that good pension advice requires understanding each person's unique situation, explaining options clearly, and being available when questions arise.

What Drives Us

Independence

We don't receive commissions from pension providers. This fundamental independence means our recommendations genuinely reflect what we believe serves your best interests, not what generates the highest fees for us.

Clarity

Financial services often hide behind complex terminology. We've made it our mission to communicate in straightforward language. If you don't understand something, that's our failure to explain, not yours to comprehend.

Accountability

When we provide advice, we stand behind it. Our ongoing client relationships mean we see the long-term outcomes of our recommendations, which keeps us focused on sustainable strategies rather than short-term fixes.

Education

We want clients to understand their pension decisions, not simply defer to our expertise. Informed clients make better choices and feel more confident about their financial future.

Patience

Pension planning is inherently long-term. We resist the temptation to overcomplicate or frequently change strategies. Sometimes the best advice is to stay the course.

Accessibility

Professional financial advice shouldn't be exclusively for the wealthy. We've structured our services to be accessible at different wealth levels and life stages.

Our Team

Our advisors combine technical pension expertise with the ability to listen and communicate effectively. Each team member holds professional qualifications and participates in continuous development to stay current with regulatory changes.

Sarah Mitchell

Founding Director

Sarah established Ancient Liability after fifteen years in financial services. She specialises in complex pension transfers and retirement income planning, holding advanced qualifications in both areas. Her approach emphasises thorough analysis combined with practical, implementable recommendations.

James Thornbury

Senior Pension Consultant

James focuses on workplace pension schemes and corporate advisory. Before joining us, he worked in pension scheme administration, giving him detailed knowledge of how different providers operate. He's particularly skilled at explaining technical details in accessible terms.

Alison Hughes

Independent Financial Adviser

Alison works primarily with clients approaching or in retirement, helping them navigate the critical decisions around accessing pension savings. Her background in tax planning allows her to identify opportunities for efficiency that others might miss.

Marcus Chen

Pension Analyst

Marcus handles the detailed research and analysis that underpins our recommendations. His expertise in pension regulations and investment options ensures our advice reflects current rules and market conditions. He's known for his meticulous attention to detail.

Rebecca Summers

Client Services Manager

Rebecca ensures clients receive consistent support throughout their journey with us. She coordinates between advisors and clients, manages documentation, and serves as the first point of contact for questions. Her organisational skills keep everything running smoothly.

David Patterson

Compliance Officer

David maintains our regulatory compliance and quality standards. His role ensures we meet all FCA requirements and that client advice is properly documented and reviewed. He also oversees our ongoing professional development programmes.

Key Milestones

2011

Foundation

Ancient Liability established with a focus on independent, transparent pension advice. First office opens in London with a team of three.

2013

Regulatory Approval

Gained full authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority, establishing credibility and demonstrating adherence to strict professional standards.

2015

Service Expansion

Introduced workplace pension consultancy services for businesses, helping employers understand auto-enrolment obligations and optimise schemes for employees.

2017

Regional Growth

Expanded operations to serve clients across the UK, establishing satellite offices and remote consultation capabilities.

2019

Client Milestone

Reached 2,000 clients served, with over £250 million in pension assets under review. Recognition from industry publications for client satisfaction scores.

2022

Technology Integration

Implemented advanced pension modelling tools allowing more sophisticated scenario planning and projection analysis for clients.

2024

Specialisation Launch

Introduced dedicated services for specific professional sectors including healthcare, education, and technology industries.

How We Differ

No Product Bias

Many advisory firms have preferred providers or products that generate higher commissions. We assess the entire market objectively because we're not incentivised to favour particular pension providers. This means recommendations are based solely on suitability for your circumstances.

Comprehensive Analysis

We don't offer quick fixes or superficial reviews. Our process involves thoroughly examining your current position, modelling various future scenarios, and considering how pension decisions interact with your broader financial situation including tax, inheritance, and other investments.

Long-Term Relationships

Pension planning isn't transactional. We maintain ongoing relationships with clients, conducting regular reviews as circumstances change. Many clients have been with us for over a decade, benefiting from consistent advice as they progress toward retirement.

Plain Communication

We've eliminated jargon from our client communications. Reports explain concepts in everyday language, meetings focus on genuine dialogue rather than presentations, and we encourage questions at every stage. Understanding should never be an obstacle to good decision-making.

Qualified Professionals

Every advisor holds recognised pension qualifications beyond basic regulatory requirements. We invest significantly in professional development, ensuring our team stays current with regulatory changes, tax updates, and market developments that affect retirement planning.

Realistic Expectations

We won't promise unrealistic returns or guarantee outcomes that depend on unpredictable market performance. Instead, we help you understand probable scenarios, identify risks, and build strategies that can adapt to changing conditions. Honesty serves clients better than optimism.

Our Commitment to Clients

When you work with Ancient Liability, you can expect certain standards consistently:

  • We will always act in your best interests, even when it means recommending you don't make changes
  • We will explain our fees clearly before any work begins and never charge hidden costs
  • We will respond to queries promptly and keep you informed throughout any process
  • We will admit when we don't know something and research thoroughly rather than guess
  • We will review our advice regularly to ensure it remains suitable as circumstances change
  • We will handle your information with complete confidentiality and robust security
  • We will maintain professional standards and regulatory compliance in everything we do

These aren't marketing promises. They're operational principles embedded in how we work daily.

Industry Recognition

FCA Authorised

Fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, adhering to strict conduct and competence standards.

Professional Body Membership

Members of the Personal Finance Society and the Pensions Management Institute, demonstrating commitment to professional excellence.

Client Satisfaction Awards

Recognised for exceptional client service scores by independent review platforms over consecutive years.

Industry Publications

Our advisors contribute regularly to pension industry publications and speak at professional conferences.

Start a Conversation

If our approach resonates with you and you'd like to discuss your pension planning needs, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

Get In Touch