Tom Brookes

Director and Chartered Financial Planner

Certified Financial Planner™

The CFP certification is recognised globally as the gold standard for financial planning professionals.

Chartered Financial Planner

What does “Chartered Financial Planner” mean? Chartered status is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and is considered the “gold standard” financial planning accreditation. Chartered status is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to upholding professional standards and adhering to a professional Code of Ethics.
My story

A little bit about me

Talking about myself doesn’t come naturally, but I know it helps to get a sense of who I am before reaching out, so here goes…

I’m a Yorkshireman, husband, and dad of two. After selling my property management business in 2018, I moved into financial services, working my way up to a senior management role before founding Arboretum.

I didn’t want Arboretum to be just another firm chasing numbers. It’s about something much deeper: helping people to build a life they genuinely enjoy, and ensuring their money supports that life in the best way possible.

What else do you need to know? I’m a Chartered Financial Planner and also a CFP™, considered the profession’s global “gold standard”. My favourite place in the world is Italy. And I’m a self-confessed geek and proud!

Curious to know more about my story and the background behind Arboretum? Read my open letter (PDF).

Contact

01977 330 131
Important information for you

FCA Register

Qualifications

Statement of Professional Standing

My story

Why I started Arboretum

My biggest driver? My family. I ask every client, “What does money mean to you?” and get an array of interesting and inspiring answers. However, if you asked me, it would always come back to one word: memories.

Experiences, holidays and time together – that’s what matters most. My business gives me the freedom to create those memories. And through Arboretum, I aim to give that same freedom to the people who choose to work with me.

Qualifications

  • AF1 (Personal Tax and Trust Planning)

    This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to personal tax and trusts.

  • AF4 (Investment Planning)

    This examination assesses the candidate to develop in depth financial planning skills related to investments and the management of investment portfolios.

  • AF5 (Financial Planning Process)

    This examination assesses the candidate to develop an understanding of the financial planning process when giving advice to clients.

  • AF8 (Retirement Income Planning)

    This unit develops and demonstrates the advanced skills needed for advising on income planning to those in and approaching retirement.

  • J10 (Discretionary Investment Management)

    At the end of this unit, candidates should be able to analyse and apply financial information and portfolio management skills.

  • R01 (Financial Services, Regulation and Ethics)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the financial services industry, including regulation, legislation and the Code of Ethics.

  • R02 (Investment Principles)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of investment products and the application of the investment advice process.

  • R03 (Personal Taxation)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK taxation system, and the ability to analyse the taxation treatment of individuals and trusts during the investment advice process.

  • R04 (Pensions and Retirement Planning)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of and ability to analyse pension and retirement planning issues.

  • R05 (Financial Protection)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of and ability to analyse financial protection planning issues.

  • R06 (Financial Planning Practice)

    This qualification helps advisers develop and demonstrate their financial planning capabilities.

  • CF6 (Mortgage Advice)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, mortgage products, repayment options and the giving of mortgage advice.

  • CF8 (Certificate in Financial Planning and Long-Term Care Insurance)

    This qualification assesses a knowledge and understanding of the UK regulation environment in the financial services industry, long-term care insurance products and the giving of long-term care insurance advice.

  • ER1 (Equity Release)

    This examination assesses a knowledge and understanding of the different types of equity release products, risks to the consumer associated with equity release and application of suitable equity release solutions according to the circumstances of different customers.

  • AdvDipIP (Advanced Diploma in Financial Planning)

    This qualification enables professional advisers to develop specialist planning capabilities, covers topics such as: personal tax and trust, business financial, pension and investment planning.

  • Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning

    This meets the FCA's qualification requirements for retail investment advisers and helps candidates to develop core technical knowledge and financial planning capabilities.

  • Cert CII (ER) (Certificate in Equity Release)

    The Level 3 Certificate in Equity Release meets the FCA’s requirement for mortgage advisers and those advising on equity release schemes. In addition to developing advisory skills, the Certificate offers an understanding of equity release regulation, products, market practice, and customer needs.

  • Cert CII (MP) (Certificate in Mortgage Advice)

    The Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice meets the FCA’s qualification requirements for mortgage advisers. It develops an understanding of the sector and the mortgage process, enabling advisers to meet individual client needs.

  • Award in Long Term Care Insurance

    This level 3 award develops the knowledge and understanding of long-term care cover, including legal, taxation and regulatory issues and the responsibilities of local authorities.

Chartered Financial Planner

What does “Chartered Financial Planner” mean? Chartered status is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and is considered the “gold standard” financial planning accreditation. Chartered status is a symbol of technical competence and signifies a public commitment to upholding professional standards and adhering to a professional Code of Ethics.
In their own words

What trust looks like to our clients

Andy

It is a real weight off our minds to know that someone who knows what they are talking about is looking after the financial side of things. Tom’s encouragement that we can afford to take lots of holidays is a big win!

Read Andy's story

Jess

Working with Tom has given me confidence in investing, and I'm very happy with the performance of his recommendations. Instead of feeling lost or daunted I am supported and confident. You can't put a price on that.

Read Jess's story

Jonathan

Tom firstly helped me vocalise what my goals were and then reviewed my portfolio. He provided expert advice on where I could maximise my investments and put it in terms I could understand.

Read Jonathan's story

Linus

I can't recommend Tom of Arboretum enough. He has been instrumental in getting a clear view of mine and my wife's short, medium and long term plans in life and how we can achieve them.

Read Linus's story
Extra support

Resources

Good financial planning doesn’t stop after a single conversation. We’ve got plenty of additional resources to support you all year round in the form of bite-sized articles and regular investment updates.

View all resources

Stay in the know

Reach out

Let’s chat about you

01977 330 131

    Arboretum Financial Planning Limited is an Appointed Representative of ValidPath Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 197107. Arboretum Financial Planning Limted is entered on the Financial Services Register https://register.fca.org.uk/ under reference: 1024351. Arboretum Financial Planning Limited is a limted company registered in England and Wales, company number 16043303. Registered address: 1 The Paddocks, Great North Road, Darrington, Pontefract, North Yorkshire, WF8 3HS.

    The information and guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.

    This website is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, which should be based upon your individual circumstances.

     

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