David Williams IFA

What David Williams IFA does

David Williams IFA Ltd is a Northampton-based, FCA-authorised independent financial advisory firm (Firm no: 530750) that has delivered financial planning and wealth management services to private and corporate clients for more than 50 years since its 1974 founding. The firm advises on over £1.6bn of client assets through 24 registered advisers (15 of whom are Chartered Financial Planners) supported by 44 technical and administrative staff, serving private individuals and families, business owners and corporates, and charities and trusts across the East Midlands, Home Counties, London, and nationally.

The firm's core products span financial protection, wealth management, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and trusts, mortgage advice (delivered via a sister business, David Williams IFA Mortgage & Insurance Services), and corporate financial planning including auto-enrolment and group protection. Underlying technology is industry-standard: cashflow modelling and portfolio construction tools for advisory work, a WordPress website with Google Analytics, and a proprietary Personal Finance Portal for secure client document sharing that was rolled out through 2024. The investment approach emphasises diversification across with-profits funds, structured investments, equities, bonds, and property funds.

The revenue model is primarily recurring percentage-of-assets-under-advice fees at 0.5%-1% (typically around 0.5%) with a £1,000 annual minimum, supplemented by one-off initial fees of 0.5%-3%, mortgage commissions paid by providers, and individually negotiated corporate client fees. Distribution is direct, driven by face-to-face advisory, telephone/email service, and a referral engine composed of existing clients, solicitors, accountants, and an official multi-year partnership with Premiership Rugby club Northampton Saints. The firm holds Chartered Financial Planner accreditation from the Chartered Insurance Institute, described in the market as the 'gold standard' for independent financial advice, and reports an average client satisfaction score of 9.55 out of 10 (February 2026 survey).

Name

David Williams IFA

Legal name

David Williams IFA Ltd

Website

https://dwifa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

David Williams IFA is a Northampton-based, FCA-authorised independent financial advisory firm advising on over £1.6bn for private individuals, business owners, and charities via 24 advisers (15 Chartered), generating revenue from recurring AUM-based fees and mortgage commissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Financial Advisory

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive/Full-Service RIAs & Independent Wealth Managers (FSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Comprehensive Financial Planning (FSAEAAAA)

Keywords

• Independent financial advice
• Wealth management services
• Retirement planning advice
• Investment management services
• Mortgage advisory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Financial Advisory Fees: Initial assessment fees ranging from 0.5% to 3% of funds invested based on value and complexity. Ongoing annual fees typically 0.5% to 1% of assets under advice with minimum annual fee of £1000. Regular face-to-face review meetings included.
2. Mortgage Commission: In majority of cases, no charge to clients for mortgage advice. The firm is paid by mortgage providers for administering and sourcing mortgage applications. Disclosure of fees provided in advance.
3. Corporate Client Fees: Individually negotiated fees with businesses for services including group life cover, protection, and pension advisory. May be direct payment or through commission from insurers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

David Williams IFA is a UK-based independent financial advisory firm that provides comprehensive financial planning, wealth management, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and trusts, financial protection, and corporate financial planning services to private and corporate clients. Operating for more than 50 years, the firm delivers ongoing advice through 23 financial planners, supported by a Personal Finance Portal for secure client document sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Protection Insurance and protection products for private clients including life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection insurance, and structured policies placed under trust to maximise benefit for beneficiaries.
• Wealth Management Comprehensive financial planning service focused on building, protecting, and enjoying personal wealth through investment, tax-efficiency, and trusts strategies for private clients.
• Retirement Planning Lifelong guidance in developing retirement income strategies, including pension savings, tax-efficient options, retirement transition planning, and pension access options for individuals.
• Investment Management Portfolio construction and management using diversified assets including equities, bonds, property funds, with-profits funds, and structured investments, with regular reviews and tax-efficient structuring.
• Tax Planning and Trusts Tax efficiency strategies and trust arrangements for inheritance tax mitigation, estate planning, and controlled asset transfer to beneficiaries.
• Mortgage Advice Independent mortgage broking through sister business David Williams IFA Mortgage & Insurance Services, assessing hundreds of products to find optimal mortgage solutions including buy-to-let and commercial lending.
• Corporate Financial Planning Business-focused financial planning including corporate pensions, auto-enrolment, group life and protection insurance, corporate investment solutions, and charity investment advisory services for businesses ranging from 5 to 500+ employees.
• Personal Finance Portal Secure client portal for sharing documents and information, available to registered clients of David Williams IFA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average client satisfaction score of 9.55 out of 10 (February 2026 survey)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northampton SaintscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025David Williams IFA is the official independent financial advisory partner of Premiership Rugby club Northampton Saints on a multi-year deal. The partnership builds on existing brand advertising in the Barwell Stand at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens. Saints' senior and academy squads benefit from on-site financial education sessions. Managing Director Nick Beal serves as a board member of Northampton Saints.
• SportsAidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing supporter of SportsAid charity which provides funding to young athletes aged 12-18 to help balance training and competition demands with education. Athletes supported by SportsAid won a record 53 medals for Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Northampton Hope CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeneficiary of annual Ride for Hope cycling events. The 2024 Ride for Hope team of 16 DWIFA staff and clients raised more than £16,000 cycling from Northampton to Paris. Also recipient of funds from annual charity golf day (£13,000 raised in 2024).
• Thomas's FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charity receiving £13,000 from the 2024 annual charity golf day along with Northampton Hope Centre.
• Rotary Becket (Rotary Club of Northampton Becket)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavid Williams IFA was the first Corporate member of the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket. Three company staff attend weekly meetings and support particular projects benefiting local charities and Rotary's worldwide work.
• Accountants and SolicitorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEstablished track record in developing long-term relationships with like-minded advisory firms including solicitors, accountants, court deputies and trustees. Strategic partnerships based on mutual respect and desire to give clients integrated financial and legal solutions. Regular referral of clients in both directions.
• Surveyors, Land Agents, Estate AgentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorking relationships with surveyors and land agents for property asset purchases by pension funds, and with estate agents by arranging mortgages for their clients.
• Other Financial AdvisersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssists other financial advice firms with complex needs such as mortgages including commercial lending and buy-to-let loans, and funding for long term care. Contact: Managing Director Nick Beal.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management: UK arm of the Swedish banking group providing private banking, wealth planning and discretionary investment management to HNW individuals and intermediaries — directly comparable in target client segment and Chartered-quality holistic financial planning.
• Tilney (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson): One of the UK's largest integrated wealth management and professional services firms, providing discretionary investment management, financial planning, tax and advisory services to private clients — directly comparable to David Williams IFA's comprehensive financial planning model but at significantly greater scale.
• Evelyn Partners: UK wealth management and professional services firm (formerly Smith & Williamson) providing financial planning, investment management, tax and accountancy to private clients and businesses — closely comparable in service breadth and integrated financial planning approach.
• Quilter: Major UK wealth management group providing advice, investments and platform services through a national adviser network — comparable in core financial planning and investment services, with a platform/technology layer that David Williams IFA lacks.
• Brown Shipley: UK private bank and wealth manager offering investment management, financial planning and banking services to HNW individuals, families and entrepreneurs — directly comparable client segment (HNW, business owners) and service offering, at larger scale.
• Rathbones: Listed UK wealth manager providing investment management, financial planning and tax advisory to private individuals, families and charities — closely comparable to David Williams IFA's high-net-worth and charity client segments, with a similar Chartered-quality professional advice proposition.
• Brewin Dolphin (now RBC Brewin Dolphin): UK wealth manager offering investment management and financial planning to private clients, intermediaries and charities — comparable in service breadth, client mix (HNW individuals, trusts, charities) and Chartered-quality advice orientation, though at much larger scale.
• St. James's Place: The UK's largest wealth management group, with a Partnership model of employed and self-employed advisers delivering financial planning to HNW individuals — directly comparable service model and client base, but with significantly greater scale and brand recognition.

Direct peers

• Killik & Co: London-headquartered independent financial adviser providing holistic financial planning, investment management, retirement and tax planning to HNW individuals — closely comparable business model, independent ethos and high-touch chartered-style service to David Williams IFA.
• Tatton Investment Management: UK discretionary investment manager and IFA support services provider, working with a network of independent financial advisers — comparable independent-advice business model and asset-based fee structure, with a more platform-oriented operating approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DWIFAMortAndIns

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about David Williams IFA