'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

Wren Sterling adds £900m AUM with London-based IFA acquisition

Wren Sterling adds £900m AUM with London-based IFA acquisition

Evans Hart brings nearly 2,500 clients to the group

Sahar Nazir
clock 12 December 2025 • 2 min read
Demand for entry-level talent forces expansion of Nucleus-backed We Are Change scheme

Demand for entry-level talent forces expansion of Nucleus-backed We Are Change scheme

Foundation reports rising demand for entry-level routes into financial services

Sahar Nazir
clock 12 December 2025 • 2 min read
'Mounting anxiety' from Autumn Budget leading to more financial advice enquiries

'Mounting anxiety' from Autumn Budget leading to more financial advice enquiries

Enquiries for financial advice up by nearly a quarter following Budget

Sahar Nazir
clock 11 December 2025 • 1 min read