FAQs

Yes, we offer independent financial advice. That means we are not tied to a limited panel and can consider the wider market when recommending suitable solutions for you.

Yes. Oculus Wealth Management is a trading style of Oculus Wealth Management (Hampshire) Ltd, which is an appointed representative of Oculus Wealth Management Ltd, a company authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Yes. You can choose to meet in person or by video call, depending on what suits you best.

Face-to-face meetings are held at 11 Wharf Street, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1NN. It is a convenient central location if you would prefer to meet in person.

Parking is available nearby at Crown Court Car Park, around a five-minute walk from the office. That makes visiting the Godalming office straightforward if you are coming by car. The address for Crown Court Car Park is 41 The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR.

Oculus Wealth Management was established in 2013 as a network of wealth managers. Mark’s career in financial services spans more than 25 years.

We are based in Godalming, and we work with clients both locally and further afield. As well as Godalming, Guildford, Farnham, Haslemere and Dorking, we also work with clients in Central London.

Yes. Mark is both a Chartered financial planner and a Certified Financial Planner. For you, that means working with someone who has achieved respected professional standards and completed higher-level qualifications, helping you feel confident that your financial plan is being built with care, knowledge, and expertise.

No, not as a firm. However, Mark is a Chartered financial planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society through higher-level qualifications. That gives you the reassurance of working directly with an adviser who has reached an advanced level of professional achievement, even though the firm itself does not hold Chartered status.

No, not as a firm. However, Mark is a CFP Chartered FCSI (Financial Planning). This reflects a high level of technical knowledge and financial planning expertise, giving you added confidence that the advice you receive is thoughtful, robust, and focused on helping you make informed long-term decisions.

Yes, there are client reviews and video testimonials available. You can view them on the client videos page, and on VouchedFor.

The difference is the combination of trust, personally tailored advice, and a genuinely client-first approach. This is not a large sales organisation, so there is more time for each client and relationships are built over many years.

Our FCA registration number is 999807. You can use this number if you would like to check our details online.

We regularly work with clients in Godalming, Guildford, Farnham, Haslemere, Dorking, and Central London. If you are based in or around these areas, we are very used to working flexibly around your location.

No. Residential mortgages are not an advice area we offer.

No. This is not an area we advise on.

Yes. Personal pensions are one of the core areas Mark advises on.

Yes. Occupational pensions can form part of your wider retirement planning.

Yes. Pension consolidation is something Mark can help you with as part of a wider financial plan.

Yes. This can be built into a retirement strategy designed around your wider financial position.

Yes. This can be discussed as part of building an investment strategy that reflects your goals and preferences.

Yes. Inherited wealth can be built into a plan that reflects your circumstances, priorities, and longer-term goals.

Yes. SIPPs can be considered where they are appropriate for your needs and objectives.

No. This is not an area we advise on.

No. This is not a service currently offered.

Yes. Inheritance Tax planning is one of the areas Mark specialises in.

Yes. ISAs can form part of a broader investment and tax planning strategy.

Yes. Protection planning is available, including advice on life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection.

Yes. The first exploratory meeting is free.

Planning, including cashflow planning, is usually charged on a fixed-fee basis of £1,500 plus VAT. Reports typically range from £750 to £2,250 plus VAT, with an implementation fee on assets and an ongoing adviser charge as a percentage, and full details are set out in this document and on our fees page.

The minimum fee is £750 plus VAT. That will depend on the type and scope of work required.

A financial plan typically costs £1,500 plus VAT. This usually applies where cashflow planning forms part of the work.

Both. Planning and reports are typically charged on a fixed-fee basis, while implemented assets and ongoing advice are charged as a percentage.

Only in limited circumstances, such as life cover, and only if the client wishes to pay that way. If commission is received, it is fully disclosed.

Yes, where applicable. Any VAT will be made clear when costs are discussed with you.

The ‘How We Charge’ document includes a clear comparison against industry averages. It shows that charges are lower than average in the illustrated comparison.

They are lower. This is designed to give clients fair, transparent value.

You can find the fees on our fees page. Full details are also available in the ‘How We Charge’ document.

Yes. Part of the planning process includes looking at how best to maximise your protection under the FSCS.

There is a formal complaints procedure in place. You can forward your complaint directly to Mark or to Oculus Wealth Management CEO, Duncan Read.

Your personal data is handled through Oculus and the Benchmark Group. Benchmark is owned by Schroders, a FTSE 100 company.

Yes. The business is insured to provide financial advice.

You can check the firm’s FCA registration and authorisation online. The FCA registration number is 999807.

Yes. You can read client reviews and watch client stories here.

Client satisfaction is measured through Medallia and VouchedFor. You can also see client feedback and reviews online.

Yes. Mark won the VouchedFor Best Adviser Award 2025. He also personally holds senior professional accreditations, including Chartered and Certified status.

Yes. Mark is featured on VouchedFor, where you can also view client feedback.

Yes. Early retirement planning can be built into a wider financial strategy designed around your goals.

Yes. Retirement planning is one of the core areas of advice offered. Read my reviews to see how we’ve helped people like you retire successfully.

Mark typically works with people aged 45 to 65, including professionals, business owners, and wealthy individuals. Many are planning for retirement, drawing retirement income, or looking at Inheritance Tax planning.

Yes, very much so. Mark works with people who are still building wealth, as well as those who are closer to or already in retirement.

Both. Mark works with company directors and self-employed clients.

Both. The advice is designed to support clients before retirement and throughout retirement.

Yes. Inherited wealth can be incorporated into a tailored plan that reflects your wider aims and priorities.

Yes. This is an area Mark can help with, and there are client testimonials from people who have been through this process.

Yes. This is exactly the kind of time when calm, personal advice can make a real difference.

Yes. Mark regularly works with business owners, professionals, and clients planning for or living in retirement.

No. This is not a service currently offered.

Yes. Reviewing existing arrangements is a normal part of the advice process.

Yes. The minimum level of investable assets is £250,000.

You can book an initial meeting by calling, emailing, or clicking the link to get in touch. You can also find out more about how we work here.

No. The first exploratory meeting is free of charge.

It helps to bring a basic overview of your assets, liabilities, pensions, and savings, along with some thoughts about what you want the future to look like financially. Any details of existing policies, schemes, income, expenditure, wills, or trusts can also be useful.

The first meeting is usually about 1.5 hours and is focused on understanding your current situation, your plans, and what you want your future to look like. We agree on how we can help, and we will typically begin building a cashflow forecast to map out your future financial lifeline. Find out more about how we work with you here.

Please allow around 1.5 hours. That gives enough time to talk through your current position, priorities, and longer-term plans properly.

No. The initial meeting is there to explore whether we are the right fit and whether the advice process is right for you.

No, there is not a female adviser in the business at present, but our team does include Vicki Gardner as financial planning administrator. We are also committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and work with many female clients throughout the UK.

If Mark is away, his assistant can handle most day-to-day matters for you. There is also cover in place from another Oculus adviser if advice is needed.

You can expect at least one face-to-face meeting each year, along with a touchpoint every six months. In practice, it is often more regular than that, with many clients speaking every couple of months, plus a bimonthly newsletter and emails when significant events occur.

Yes. Cashflow forecasting is an important part of the planning process and is often introduced from the very first meeting.

We meet, talk things through, and update your plan. Life changes, so your financial plan should change with it.

Absolutely. In fact, that is often the preferred way of working, so everyone involved is aligned around the same plan.

Yes, absolutely. If your mortgage adviser needs information from us, we are happy to work with them directly.

That is not really an issue here, because this is Mark’s own firm. You work directly with him.

Of course. An example financial plan can be provided on request.

Yes. You will be able to view the value of your investments online.

Yes. Clients can use the Wealth Platform portal to view their investments online.

You will meet with your adviser at least once a year. If more meetings are needed, those can be arranged around your circumstances and needs.