Milton celebrates 30 years in business

Devon-based Philip J Milton, which is set to hold its 30-year anniversary on 19 September, is about to relocate to larger premises, around the corner from its current offices in Barnstaple, which it has outgrown. The move is expected to take place this autumn.

In August 2013, owner Philip Milton took on his teenage son Felix, who has been working towards his level six qualifications, as a trainee.

Felix was following in his father’s footsteps. Philip Milton, who had joined a high street bank and gained his banking qualifications, left to set up the advisory firm in 1985, starting out from his parents’ home in the north Devon village of Georgeham.

Mr Milton said: “I abandoned an accelerated training scheme with a high street bank to pursue a career in financial advice and on the first Monday, I thought, ‘What have I done?’.

“However, there are not many firms that seem to have survived, let alone succeeded, in this industry over 30 years and we are looking forward to celebrating with our investing clients.”

One recent development was the firm’s flexible, low-cost pensions management service. But it is not resting on its laurels, having recently been involved in the design of risk management software.

Background

Earlier this year, two other firms, Clarion Financial Planners, based in Cheshire, and West Lothian-based Alan Steel Asset Management, reached significant milestones.

Clarion celebrated its 30th birthday and is also looking to move to new headquarters this year, while Alan Steel Asset Management reached its 40th anniversary, having been established in 1975 by director Alan Steel and now advising more than 4,000 client families with assets totalling approximately £800m.