Ben Whatnall

Director of Finance

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Independent Financial Advisor | Wealth Planner | Director of Fortuna Finance

Ben is an independent wealth adviser, equity investor, and member of the Chartered Insurance Institute. He founded Fortuna Financial Planning in 2005, specialising in independent financial advice.

Ben focuses on creating bespoke wealth plans, including tax, investment, and retirement strategies. He supports high-net-worth clients and provides professional advisory services, including family office support, helping both individuals and business owners structure their businesses to build and preserve wealth.

Together with Nicholas he helped build the unique Wealth Report, a dedicated investment plan that analyses your tax, investment and protection needs to create a portfolio for our clients to help them retire with comfort.

Ben is committed to helping clients achieve a comprehensive financial strategy while maintaining a balanced, fulfilling life. He lives in Hertford with his family and is passionate about sport and outdoor fitness.

Key Areas of Expertise

  • Investment Risk Analysis
  • Wealth Management
  • Estate Planning
  • Business Exit Planning

Testimonials

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After working with Nicholas Charles for a year, we brought him on to join our board advisory team for BankToTheFuture.com because of his unique combination of financial tax advice, commercial understanding and ability to introduce the right connections at the right time. Nicholas has provided tax advice to our investors, facilitated introductions to investors as well as help us to implement controls and procedures to get the right balance of compliance, responsible procedures and good business practices. If you want somebody that understands the commercials of business and deal making combined with the technical skills of finance, tax and increasing shareholder value, Nicholas Charles is your man.

Simon Dixon | CEO & Co-Founder BankToTheFuture.com
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Nicholas has been an active supporter of our charity, and the Charles Group have sponsored our last three summer parties. He understands family businesses like ours but more importantly the need to give back to the local community and the life changing differences that can be brought about by charities. This is why we quickly became a client of the Charles Group. Nicholas appreciates that having a purpose greater than the individual needs of members can bring a family closer together as well as inspire the next generation. We admire Nicholas’ authentic approach towards Family Prosperity.

Paul Strank MBE and Irene Strank MBE | Founders of Paul Strank Roofing and the Paul Strank Charitable Trust
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I have worked with the Charles Group for 2 years on some very exciting projects and his ability to listen, provide objective advice and support my goals and ambitions has been a tremendous asset to me and my businesses. Nicholas cares deeply about those he works with and seeks to ensure great outcomes for all.

Penny Power OBE | Serial Entrepreneur
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The Charles Group has been our trusted accountants since we founded B-Engaged in 2013. Over the years, they’ve become an integral part of our journey, consistently going above and beyond to help us save money, optimize our structures, and minimize tax liabilities. They are more than accountants—they are key partners in our success.

Ehsen Shah | Founder and CEO of B-Engaged: Sports Marketing Activations Agency
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From our early days as a startup to becoming one of the largest suppliers to Assos and River Island, The Charles Group has been a constant and invaluable partner. They’ve played a vital role in reducing our overheads, analysing and advising on client profitability, setting up our internal bookkeeping systems, and providing invaluable business guidance. Their expertise has also helped us manage and reduce our growing tax liabilities. The team at The Charles Group has truly become part of our business family.

Gabby Chrysanthou | Director and co-founder of Loaded London