Our story
In 1978 John Hitchell, with a young family to support, had just taken the difficult decision to leave a secure job with a high street bank and was looking for the next challenge. He had hated the corporate target-driven culture of the banking industry and felt there must be a better way to treat clients.
It was fair to say the bank was very traditional, and we used to love to hear his story about the time the manager told him to shave off his beloved beard 'as it was scaring the older customers'. However, the final straw was having found his dream home, and his mortgage application denied because it 'had more bedrooms than he needed', discovering his manager then bought the house instead.
Unsure what to do next, he applied for a job in the local paper as a self-employed financial adviser, and one thing led to another. John's personality and his desire to help people meant that he thrived in this new environment. Things were very different in those days, but many of the clients he met in these early years become good friends, and many of their families remain as clients to this day.
He was very proud when two of his sons James and Richard, joined the business. Sharing the same ethos of treating clients like family they continue his legacy. They are both Chartered Financial Planners demonstrating how far the industry has evolved since the early days when John first saw that advert in the paper.
Alongside James and Richard, we have two other advisers (Nathan Blackmore & Robert Freeman) and four administrators that assist us.
Speak to us today and see how we could help you.
"We appreciate financial planning is not all about your money – it’s about you, your life and what you want to get out of it. So whether that is working towards a happy retirement, financial security or protecting your loved ones – we can help make it happen."
How we work
Our company values
As a family-run practice, we have offered a friendly professional advisory service to clients since 1978.
As well as offering expert advice, we place the needs of our clients at the heart of the business. By getting to know the individual situation, ambitions and attitudes of every client who comes to us, we can apply our expertise to recommend financial solutions that meet both present and future needs.
Based in Lonsdale Gardens in Tunbridge Wells, our approach is based on our company values;
- We always treat clients as we would want to be treated
- We promise to cut out the jargon and always explain our recommendations in simple terms.
- We work hard to get the right client outcome
- We use technology to provide a better service - including Voyant - one of the UK's leading financial forecasting tools
The initial meeting is always at our expense and there is never any obligation to proceed further if you decide our service is not for you.
Why Chartered status makes a difference...
Competence. Knowledge. Ethical behaviour.
Do these terms sum up what you look for in your dealings with insurance and financial planning professionals?
Well, they are precisely the qualities embodied by 'Chartered' status.
The Chartered Financial Planner logo signifies that an individual has committed to:
- the highest levels of technical and professional knowledge and competence through professional qualifications
- keeping knowledge and skills up-to-date through continuing professional development
- ethical conduct through adhering to an industry Code of Ethics enforced through disciplinary sanctions.
Both James Hitchell and Richard Hitchell, are very proud to hold Chartered Financial Planner status.
Why not get in touch today?
For a friendly, confidential and without-obligation conversation call us on 01892 532700, email info@hitchell.com or use our contact form
How To Find Us
Main Office
8 Lonsdale Gardens
Tunbridge Wells
Kent