'Coffee before contract': Advice firm rebrands to inspire 'fear-free' financial planning

No vulture culture

Sophie King
clock • 1 min read

Adviser firm SMC Financial Services has rebranded to promote ‘fear-free’ financial planning in a bid to remove client anxiety linked to the advice process.

The firm, based in Liverpool, launched in 2017 and in March last year, it achieved Chartered status. SMC director Sean McDermott (pictured) told Professional Adviser that because of that, the firm wanted to launch a brochure to send to clients so that they could learn of its achievements and better understand what Chartered means for them. However, after designing the brochure, McDermott said they decided to do a complete rebrand to help promote 'fear-free' financial planning and so launched the trading name LightSide. He said the rebrand, which launched today (3 February), promote...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Brits unlikely to see IFAs despite Budget impact

Brits unlikely to see IFAs despite Budget impact

Just 19% were likely to seek advice, Continuum finds

Isabel Baxter
clock 12 February 2026 • 3 min read
Treasury consults on AR regime adding further FCA and FOS permissions

Treasury consults on AR regime adding further FCA and FOS permissions

Amid concerns about consumer harm and weaknesses in oversight

Isabel Baxter
clock 12 February 2026 • 3 min read
Adviser on crypto: 'I spend most of my time telling clients not to invest in it'

Adviser on crypto: 'I spend most of my time telling clients not to invest in it'

Panel unpacks next gen themes in advice

Isabel Baxter
clock 10 February 2026 • 3 min read