Mission Statement

To provide qualified Independent Financial and Mortgage Advice to the public in partnership with quality independent estate agents and professional introducers and thereafter improve the financial standing and future of all clients using the financial resources available to them through effective planning and guidance.

Karl Hopper Young, SIFA Operations and Compliance Director explains our ethos

Company Profile

The company provide independent financial and investment advice to Individuals, Companies, Trusts, Charities and Expatriates dealing extensively with product providers and mortgage lenders as well as fellow Legal and Accounting professionals in providing sound independent financial advice and guidance in all areas of financial planning.

The company was formed at the beginning of 1998 and has developed its services considerably, as well as the areas it is able to advise on. In April 2002 the company sought and successfully obtained direct authorisation from the industry regulator the Financial Services Authority, now the Financial Conduct Authority. The financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) is an agency for arbitrating on unresolved complaints between regulated firms and their clients. Full details of the (FOS) can be found on its website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.  The Company is regulated by the Claims Management Regulator in respect of regulated claims management activities.

In December 2005 the Company achieved ISO 9001 accreditation.

The Company achieved Chartered Financial Planning status in June 2007.In 2011 the Company received "Accreditation of Training Delivered by Employers" from the National Skills Academy for Financial Services.

In November 2012 the Company met the requirements of BS 8577:2012 Framework for Financial Advice and Planning Services. 

The company works currently on a commission and / or fees basis and are able to offer a menu of options tailored to clients' needs. 

The Business

The business has developed over recent years with advisers who operate throughout Sussex and the South East. The average experience of each adviser is in excess of 10 years, which gives the public the comfort they are looking for when seeking qualified independent professional financial advice.

Administration is computerised to ensure that business is transacted efficiently. Sussex Independent have a team of highly qualified administrative support staff who deal with the business from inception and follow it through to completion. 

This consists of Jo Johnson who has worked in the financial service sector for over thirty years firstly at Refuge Assurance as an administrator and latterly at CIS. She maintains the client database and deals with day to day administration. Jo completed her Certificate In Regulated Insurance in December 2008 and her Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice in July 2009.

Mark Thomas who has been a Chartered Accountant for thirty eight years with extensive experience of the accountancy profession, business and commerce.He has an honours degree in Economics from Leeds University.Mark manages all the accounting aspects of the Company and is available to give tax and accountancy assistance to clients.

Jake Beale who has a degree from the University of Brighton and holds a level 4 Diploma in Financial Advice. Jake having previously worked as a protection adviser moved to Sussex Independent to pursue his goal of becoming a Chartered Financial Planner.

Sussex Independent's Head Office in Hailsham is a distinctive Georgian House with its own internal well, the water source of which we believe was used to make Hailsham ginger beer.The office covers the South East and provides the administrative support for each adviser within the company.

 If you are looking for sound INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE, Call, Click or Come in.

Contact Information

Tel: 01323 441788 

E-mail:  reception@sussexifa.com

Fax: 01323 441799 

Postal address

                    Downford House, George Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, United Kingdom, BN27 1AE