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Most investors assume they have to choose one approach and stick with it. But what if the answer isn't either/or? In this episode of clarityON, Investment Analysts Sara Hussain and Chris Finch break down when active management can add real value, why passive investing excels in certain markets, and how the best portfolios often use both.

What we cover:

• The basics: How passive tracking works and where active managers do beat benchmarks.
• Index construction matters: Why all trackers aren't created equal, and how market cap weighting, equal weighting, and smart beta can give you very different portfolios.
• Where active genuinely adds value: Mid-cap stocks, emerging markets, fixed interest, and smaller companies where there's less research coverage and more room for skilled selection.
• The evidence: Why active managers struggle in large, efficient markets like the US and UK, and why passive investment has a genuine cost advantage there.
• Common myths: Passive doesn't mean doing nothing. Active managers can outperform over the long term. Risk depends on your overall mix of funds/investments, not the fund type.
• Building a blended approach: How clarity uses both strategies depending on the market, the investor, and what each fund needs to do.
• Practical questions: How to judge whether an active manager is doing their job, whether you should switch funds regularly and why you still need an adviser even if you invest passively.

Not sure what mix is right for you? Book your free consultation or email [email protected].

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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

The UK tax system is more complicated than most people realise, and with income tax thresholds frozen until at least 2028, more people than ever are being quietly pulled into tax traps they didn't see coming. In this episode of clarityON, Senior IMS Administrator Kika Ferreira sits down with Senior Adviser Vicki Watson to break down the hidden costs of UK tax traps, who they affect, and what you can do about them.

What we cover:

• Fiscal drag: Why frozen thresholds mean millions more people are now paying 40% tax, including many who would never have considered themselves high earners.
• The £100,000 trap: How an effective 60% tax rate can mean a pay rise or bonus actually leaves you worse off.
• Child benefit clawback: Why the High Income Child Benefit Charge catches so many families off guard and the individual vs. household quirk that makes it feel particularly unfair.
• Tax-free childcare cliff edge: How earning just £1 over £100,000 can wipe out thousands of pounds of childcare support in one go.
• Salary sacrifice and pension contributions: The planning tools that can address multiple traps at once, and why the numbers can look quite remarkable when modelled properly.
• Practical steps: Three things you can do right now if you think any of this applies to you.

Not sure whether these thresholds affect you? Book your free consultation or email [email protected].

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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

A new tax year means a fresh set of allowances, and the earlier you put them to work, the harder they work for you. In this episode of clarityON, Angus Jones (CEO & Chartered Adviser) and Jess Lelew (Paraplanner) walk through the key planning opportunities for 2026/27, from ISAs and Pensions to Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, and beyond.

What we cover:

• Why acting at the start of the tax year pays off, and how compounding makes timing matter more than most people realise
• ISAs: making the most of your refreshed £20,000 allowance, Junior ISAs, and the Bed & ISA strategy
• Pensions: the extraordinary tax relief available, carry forward, and salary sacrifice
• The hidden tax traps around £60,000, £100,000 and £125,140, and how pension contributions can neutralise them
• Capital Gains Tax: using your annual exemption systematically from day one
• Inheritance Tax: the gifting allowances that reset every April, and the 'normal expenditure out of income' relief most people have never heard of
• VCTs and EIS: tax-efficient options for those who have already maxed the basics
• A practical April action plan to get organised now, not in March

Whether you're reviewing your financial plan for the year or hearing some of these strategies for the first time, this episode is your starting point for a more tax-efficient 2026/27.

Download our Tax Year Planning Guide 2026/27  

Book a free consultation 

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

From April 2027, pensions will be brought into the Inheritance Tax (IHT) net for the first time, arguably the biggest change to pension planning in over a decade. In this episode of clarityON, Executive PA Carrie Hughes sits down with Senior Adviser Naomi Kewell to break down what's changing, why it matters, and what you should be thinking about now.

What we cover:

• What's changing: Unused pension funds will count as part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes, potentially subject to 40% IHT.
• The double tax hit: Die after age 75 and beneficiaries could face both IHT and income tax (up to 67% combined in some scenarios.)
• Who's affected: Anyone whose total estate (including pensions) exceeds £650,000 to £1 million as a couple.
• Real-world impact: How this could create an additional tax bill for families who previously wouldn't have paid any inheritance tax.
• Planning strategies: Why some people should act now while others might be better waiting, including gifting strategies and surplus income planning.

This episode scratches the surface of this complex area. clarity and Mishcon de Reya clients can attend an in-depth event on Wednesday 22nd April covering detailed case studies and specific strategies with clarity’s CEO and Founder, Angus Jones and Legal Director, Katie Doyle from Miscon de Reya. If you would like to register for this event, please send an email to [email protected]

Need to understand how the 2027 changes affect you? Book your free consultation or email [email protected].

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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

We all like to think we're rational when it comes to money, but the truth is, our brains can be our own worst enemy when making investment decisions. In this episode of clarityON, Investment Director Glyn Bolton and Investment Manager David Eve explore the fascinating world of behavioural finance and reveal how psychological biases cost investors dearly - sometimes to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.

What we cover:

• The bias blind spot: Why even experienced investment professionals aren't immune to cognitive biases, and how Morningstar's research shows that high bias levels can cost investors 1.5% per year in returns.
• Loss aversion: Why we feel losses 2.5 times more strongly than gains, and how this leads us to hold onto bad investments while selling winners too early.
• FOMO and herding behaviour: From the dot-com bubble to Bitcoin and Nvidia, why buying what "everyone else" is investing in usually means you're buying near the top.
• Overconfidence: The Dunning-Kruger effect in action—why the most overconfident investors rarely recognise they have a problem, and how even professional fund managers fall into this trap.
• Action bias: Why doing nothing is often the smartest move, and how missing just the 10 best days in the market can cut your returns in half.
• The real cost: How behavioural mistakes can mean the difference between retiring with £450,000 or £750,000—a £300,000 gap caused by emotions rather than market performance.
• The value of advice: Why Royal London's research shows advised individuals accumulate 23% more wealth, and how behavioural coaching accounts for half of the value a financial adviser provides.

Glyn and David share real-world examples, debunk common investment myths, and provide a practical "red flag checklist" to help you spot when your biases are influencing your decisions.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode will help you understand the psychological traps that derail even the smartest people—and how to avoid them.

Need help managing your investment psychology? Book your free consultation or email [email protected].

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Book Your Free Consultation 

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LinkedIn
Facebook
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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

The Budget 2025: What It Means for Your Financial Plan

After months of speculation, the Chancellor has finally delivered the 2025 Budget and while some feared sweeping changes, the reality is more nuanced. In this episode of clarityON, Chartered Financial Planner Daniel Smith is joined by Claire Brooks, Associate Technical Director at clarity, to break down what stayed the same, what’s changing, and what it all means for your financial planning.

What we cover:

• What didn’t change: Income tax rates, pension rules, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exemptions, and Inheritance Tax (IHT) gifting rules remain untouched.
• What’s new: From dividend tax hikes and ISA restrictions to changes in VCT (Venture Capital Trust) relief and NI (National Insurance) savings on salary sacrifice, we unpack the key updates and timelines.
• Planning strategies: How to navigate fiscal drag, make the most of ISAs and pensions, and prepare for upcoming IHT and investment changes.
• Surprises and speculation: Why some rumoured changes didn’t happen, and what that tells us about future Budgets.

Whether you’re managing investments, planning for retirement, or simply want to stay ahead of rising tax burdens, this episode is packed with insights to help you make informed decisions.

Click here to read our guide on The Budget 2025.

Need advice on how the Budget affects you?
Book your free consultation or email [email protected].

Disclaimer: The tax rates and rules discussed in this episode apply to England and Wales. Tax rates and allowances may differ in Scotland and other UK jurisdictions. Please seek advice specific to your location before making any financial decisions.

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Facebook
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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

In this episode of the clarityON podcast, host and clarity Adviser Naomi Kewell is joined by guest expert Alexandra Miles to unpack the gender investment gap. Why it exists, how women's life paths shape their financial journeys, and what can be done to change it.

The discussion covers structural and societal factors contributing to this gap, such as career breaks, part-time work, and caregiving responsibilities, as well as differences in industry pay. Alexandra shares worrying statistics on the persistence of the gap and highlights international examples like Iceland's mandatory pensions as potential solutions. They also discuss the importance of financial education, community support, and open household conversations to empower women to build better financial futures. The episode concludes with practical steps women can take to close their investment gaps and the significance of factoring pensions into divorce settlements. Whether you are at the start of your career, balancing mid-life priorities, or planning retirement, this episode offers insight, empathy, and empowering advice for women looking to take charge of their financial futures.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Check if you are on track for your retirement
• Book your free consultation with clarity

Don't miss future episodes — subscribe and follow clarityON wherever you get your podcasts.

If you would prefer to watch this episode you can find it on youtube here.

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Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
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Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may not be the most exciting topic but ignoring it could cost you. In this episode of clarityON, Carrie Hughes is joined by Senior Financial Adviser Dan Smith to demystify the CGT rules, highlight the changes you need to know for 2025/26, and share practical planning tips that could help you reduce your tax bill.

What we cover:

• What CGT is, who it affects, and why it matters more now than ever
• How CGT is calculated, especially for property and investments
• Common myths and mistakes people make (and how to avoid them)
• Smart tax planning strategies, including spousal transfers, tax wrappers, and loss harvesting
• Quickfire listener FAQs, from “bed and breakfasting” to reporting deadlines

Whether you are planning a property sale, managing an investment portfolio, or simply want to stay one step ahead of HMRC, this episode has something for you.

Need help with your Capital Gains Tax planning? Book your free consultation here.

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Book Your Free Consultation 

Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube

Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

In this episode of clarityON, Chris Finch (Investment Analyst at clarity) is joined by Glyn Bolton (Investment Director at clarity) to explore how President Trump’s dramatic return to the White House has impacted global markets and economies in just six months.

From sweeping executive orders and aggressive tariff policies to shifting market dynamics, gold rallies, and a weakening US dollar, Chris and Glyn unpack what’s happened so far and what it could mean for investors, especially those in the UK. They also explore how Trump’s approach to geopolitics, interest rates, and economic policy is shaping the current investment landscape and what could lie ahead.

Topics covered include:

• Trump’s economic agenda: deregulation, tariffs, onshoring
• Market performance across the US, UK and Europe
• What’s driving gold and currency movements
• The role of the US dollar as the global reserve currency
• Risks and opportunities for UK investors
• Geopolitical flashpoints and investor sentiment

Whether you’re invested in US markets or simply trying to make sense of the global picture, this episode offers timely insights to help you stay informed and in control.

Want to understand how these developments could affect your personal portfolio?

Book a free, no-obligation consultation today. We’ll help you make sense of the bigger picture and stay on track with your long-term goals - Click here to get started.

Our Website
Book Your Free Consultation 

Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube

Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.

In this episode of clarityON, Senior Investment Management Services (IMS) Administrator Francisca (Kika) Ferreira  and Chartered Financial Adviser Tuhin Miah consider a crucial question for investors: Why should you consolidate your investments?

With portfolios increasingly scattered across multiple platforms, investment consolidation isn’t just about tidiness—it’s a powerful strategy for gaining clarity, reducing costs, and taking better control of your financial future.

We explore:

• How investment management has evolved—from fragmented fund houses to streamlined digital platforms
• The key benefits of consolidation, from easier reporting to improved tax planning and estate simplicity
• A real-life client story: how moving from five platforms to one transformed their financial confidence
• What assets can be consolidated (and what can’t)
• How clarityONLINE helps you see your entire financial world—from investments to credit cards—in one secure place
• Common FAQs around platforms, transfers, and whether consolidation is right for you

For more on our digital platform clarityONLINE, check out our clarityON podcast episode with CTO Gordon Jones and Digital Marketing Manager Leila Photiou.

And click here to book your free consultation.

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Book Your Free Consultation 

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LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube

Performance Disclaimer:

Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of your investments can go down as well as up.

Legal Disclaimer:

Please note that any opinions, analyses, or reviews provided on the podcast are those of the author alone.

All content reflects our opinion at a given time and can change as time progresses. All information should be taken as opinion and therefore should not be misconstrued for professional or legal financial advice.

clarity makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information.

Please contact your financial adviser if you require further support or assistance with any of the topics raised.