Who we are
Hi, my name’s Phil O’Connor, and I’m the owner here at Whitewell Financial Planning.
As you’d expect, my area of expertise is ‘financial planning’. In fact, I’m one of the few Chartered Financial Planners and Certified Financial Planners in the UK, as well as being a Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser.
Before setting out on my own nine years ago, I worked for three large accountancy practices – KPMG, Baker Tilly and Haines Watts, and that 11-year education served as the perfect preparation for my own client work.
These days, I provide financial planning and advice to directors of FTSE 100 companies, private company directors and senior medical practitioners including Professors, Consultants, GPs and Physicians, as well as advising on the financial aspects of divorce.
I qualified as one of the first Resolution Accredited IFAs in February 2007 and received my reaccreditation in July 2012. At current count there are only around 30 IFAs who hold this specialised qualification.
(The overall number of advisers in the UK is approximately 20,000).
In 2014 I was asked to help to set and mark the new Reaccreditation and Accreditation rounds of the Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser qualification to increase the numbers of advisers working in this specialised area.
I regularly attend the Greater Manchester Collaborative Law POD and was previously joint chair in 2012.
I also trained as a mediator in 2014 with the Family Mediation Association.
I’m a firm believer in making every second count, and alongside my work – which I love – spending time with my family is what’s important to me.
I’m happily married to the gorgeous Gill, and have two kids – Lauren and Lewis, as well as a fearless Jack Russell called Toby. Gill and I love a good hike, and I try and get in at least one round of golf a week! I also volunteer at Bolton Lads & Girls Club – a cause that’s really important to me.
If you want to talk about financial planning (or anything else for that matter), please get in touch – you can email me personally at [email protected]
What Our Clients Say...
His fees are clear and the rationale underlying his advice was explained very well...
“I thought I understood the products I had/have and what best to do with them. I didn’t. Phil highlighted which had guaranteed annuity rates, which did not and mapped a strategy for maximizing the benefit from those in accord with my attitude to risk and overall retirement strategy. He reviewed my portfolio of savings and investments and some were repositioned; again in accord with my risk profile. His fees are clear and the rationale underlying his advice was explained very well. He challenged some of my long held views which was refreshing. I have since realigned some of those views.”
Robin Unsworth – Bolton
My Purpose
My purpose is to help you make better, more informed decisions on all aspects of your finances, saving you time and money and providing peace of mind and security.
I do this by spending time understanding you and your family’s needs and working through and showing you the consequences of every decision you make.
I take time to educate and inform you on the range of options available, the pros and cons of each option and the likely outcomes for you and your family. You will receive individual advice and guidance from me tailored to your own circumstances.
My Promise
“If after working with us you do not feel that you have received the necessary value then you do not pay. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.”
The other people here at Whitewell
Linda Smith
Admin
Linda joined Whitewell in December 2008 and has been our full time office manager and administrator. Linda is the mother of the team (she really is Phil B’s mum) and has responsibility in ensuring the administration of the workload is undertaken in a timely manner. She enjoys crafts and cooking.
Phil Blacklock
Team Paraplanner
Phil Joined Whitewell in October 2012 and assumed the role of a trainee paraplanner. His main tasks involve report writing and investment and product research.
What Our Clients Say...
Without Phil’s timely advice I would be a much poorer man...
“Without Phil’s timely advice I would be a much poorer man, and in the current climate, such advice is even more valuable.”
Mr AJ Banks – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bolton
