Last updated 28 October 2026 by Jonathan Paton
InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd
Why can you claim for compensation against InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd, formerly Wise Pension Group Limited?
According to the FSCS, InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd gave regulated advice on pensions, retirement planning, investments and pension transfers. Financial Planning Today reported that it traded as Wise Pension Group until it became InterestMe Financial Planning in 2017. The complaints that have reached the Financial Ombudsman follow a familiar pattern. They concern advice given between 2016 and 2018 to move or consolidate personal pensions into a SIPP. In one published decision, Mr S alleged he had been moved into a Wise SIPP unsuitably, and the investigator found that a higher cost SIPP had been recommended without good reason and that his attitude to risk had been wrongly recorded as medium. In another, Mr M said his first contact with the firm was an unsolicited phone call. The firm argued his complaint was out of time. The ombudsman disagreed, upheld the complaint and told the firm to work out and pay what was due. Other complainants alleged poor risk assessment and charges that were never properly explained. These were individual complaints and allegations, and they are not findings about every client.
Financial Planning Today also reported that the firm had agreed restrictions on its activities with the FCA in April 2019, July 2020 and October 2022. It agreed further restrictions on 24 July 2026, under which it would take on no new regulated business. FX News Group and Professional Adviser reported that the firm and its appointed representative, InterestMe Advisers Ltd, entered administration on 24 September 2026. Robert Goodhew and Geoff Bouchier of Kroll Advisory were appointed as joint administrators.
The FSCS has opened claims and is investigating the firm. It has not yet declared it in default, so it has not confirmed that compensation will be paid. Claims about InterestMe Advisers Ltd are being considered against InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd as the principal firm. The firm is now in administration, so you may be able to claim against it through the FSCS once its investigation concludes.
Latest update: what it means for you (28 September 2026)
On 28 September 2026 the FSCS started accepting claims against InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd (IMFP), including claims about its appointed representative InterestMe Advisers Ltd (IMA). There is a catch. Claims will not go to the FSCS assessment teams until its investigators have decided whether they meet the qualifying conditions, and the FSCS warns this could take some time.
So this is a step forward, but it is not a promise of compensation yet. What stands out to me is the FCA’s notice that both firms are insolvent and will probably not have the money to pay in full. That includes people with unresolved complaints, people holding offer letters they had not yet returned, and people whose complaints are with the ombudsman. If you were affected by the SIPP switches described in the published decisions, the FSCS is now likely to be your main route. Investment claims are protected up to £85,000 per person.
InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd, whilst in administration, is still displayed as Authorised on the FCA Register. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this page as circumstances change.
It is worth gathering your suitability reports, SIPP statements and any offer letters now. If your complaint is already with the ombudsman, you may be asked for permission to move your file to the FSCS. You will still need to make a claim.
You can claim yourself. If you would rather we handled it, talk to us. We start with a free initial assessment and then act on a no win no fee basis for pension transfer claims and SIPP claims. No outcome is ever guaranteed.
Company background (public record)
The company was incorporated at Companies House on 12 July 2010 under company number 07310886. Its status at Companies House is recorded as administration.
Registered office: C/O KROLL ADVISORY LTD, The News Building Level 6 3 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9SG.
Previously named: INTEREST ME FINANCIAL PLANNING LIMITED; WISE PENSION GROUP LIMITED; THISTLE CONSULTING LONDON LIMITED.
Nature of business (SIC): 64999.
Company timeline (public record)
Key dated events for this firm, drawn from public records. Each entry shows its source.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul 2010 | Company incorporated | Companies House |
| 12 Jul 2010 | Caroline Kelly appointed secretary | Companies House |
| 12 Jul 2010 | David Kelly appointed director | Companies House |
| 12 Oct 2011 | FCA status recorded as: Authorised | FCA Register |
| 12 Oct 2011 | David Robert Kelly approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 14 Nov 2011 | Thistle Consulting appointed as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 22 Nov 2011 | Ewan William Donald approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 25 Mar 2014 | Thistle Consulting ceased as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 31 Mar 2014 | Caroline Kelly resigned as secretary | Companies House |
| 16 Apr 2014 | Company renamed (previously THISTLE CONSULTING LONDON LIMITED) | Companies House |
| 13 May 2014 | Christopher Peter Long appointed director | Companies House |
| 15 Jul 2014 | Christopher Peter Long approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 19 Jun 2015 | Nigel Xavier Saldanha approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 20 Dec 2017 | Advisability Limited appointed as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 26 Apr 2018 | INTERESTME ADVISERS LIMITED appointed as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 26 Jun 2018 | Timothy Francis Stewart approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 18 Jun 2020 | Luca Giuseppe Giorgetti approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 06 Sep 2021 | Gary Paul Beesley approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 22 Aug 2022 | Daniel Peter Mole approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 07 Jun 2023 | Advisability Limited ceased as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 14 Sep 2023 | Sarah Priestley approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 08 Nov 2023 | Arceh Gerard Barretto Barrientos approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 14 Aug 2024 | Umer Farooq appointed director | Companies House |
| 14 Aug 2024 | Umer Farooq approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 07 Apr 2025 | Duarte Alexandre Avelino Murray Martins approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Company entered administration (in administration) | Companies House |
| 28 Sep 2026 | FSCS investigation opened | FSCS |
| 28 Sep 2026 | FSCS update: FSCS is now open to customer claims | FSCS |
Focused on the firm’s early history and the events leading up to and following its failure. 11 routine entries from its active years are omitted.
Who was involved?
The following individuals are listed on public records in connection with the firm. These are matters of public record only and their inclusion does not imply any wrongdoing by any named person.
- Timothy Francis Stewart. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF11 Money Laundering Reporting (26/06/2018 to 08/12/2019), CF10 Compliance Oversight (26/06/2018 to 08/12/2019), SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (09/12/2019 to 30/06/2020), SMF16 Compliance Oversight (09/12/2019 to 30/06/2020) at the firm.
- Christopher Peter Long. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF11 Money Laundering Reporting (20/10/2015 to 01/06/2018), CF10 Compliance Oversight (20/10/2015 to 01/06/2018), CF1 Director (15/07/2014 to 08/12/2019), SMF3 Executive Director (09/12/2019 to 24/09/2026) at the firm.
- Luca Giuseppe Giorgetti. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) (18/06/2020 to 24/09/2026), SMF16 Compliance Oversight (18/06/2020 to 24/09/2026) at the firm.
- Umer Farooq. Listed on the FCA Register as having held SMF3 Executive Director (14/08/2024 to 24/09/2026), CF1 Director (AR) (09/07/2025 to 24/09/2026) at the firm.
- Daniel Lamont. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (28/02/2017 to 31/01/2018) at the firm.
- Paul Trevor Charlwood. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (03/06/2016 to 03/05/2017) at the firm.
- Nigel Xavier Saldanha. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (19/06/2015 to 13/09/2016) at the firm.
- Gary Paul Beesley. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (10/01/2022 to 29/09/2023), [FCA CF] Functions requiring qualifications (06/09/2021 to 29/09/2023) at the firm.
- Ewan William Donald. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (22/11/2011 to 31/12/2012) at the firm.
- Arceh Gerard Barretto Barrientos. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (08/11/2023 to 28/08/2026), [FCA CF] Functions requiring qualifications (01/02/2024 to 28/08/2026) at the firm.
Appointed Representatives and Agents
While it was authorised, the firm acted as principal for the following appointed representatives. An appointed representative carries on regulated business under the responsibility of its principal, so their conduct can be relevant to a claim.
| Appointed representative | Reference | Effective from | Ended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advisability Limited | FRN 744506 | 20/12/2017 | 07/06/2023 |
| Thistle Consulting | FRN 568589 | 14/11/2011 | 25/03/2014 |
| INTERESTME ADVISERS LIMITED | FRN 807530 | 26/04/2018 | Current |
How can we help?
Finding out that a pension you trusted someone to look after may have been put at risk is hard, and many people feel embarrassed or angry even though it was not their fault. When the firm then goes into administration, it is easy to assume nothing more can be done. In my experience that is rarely the whole picture. The FSCS is investigating this firm, and the advice behind a SIPP switch or consolidation can still be looked at carefully. That applies whether it came from Wise Pension Group, InterestMe Financial Planning or InterestMe Advisers.
As regulated solicitors, we can take on the investigation for you on a no win no fee basis and pursue the compensation and justice you deserve. We look at mis-sold pensions, SIPP claims and wider financial adviser claims. We only contact you with updates or when we need something from you, so you can get on with your life.
How does it work?
1. We start with a free initial assessment over the phone and aim to give you an early idea of what your claim may be worth.
2. If you decide to go ahead, you sign our no win no fee agreement. We then do the investigating, including writing to your pension providers and the administrators where needed.
3. Once we have the evidence, we carry out a detailed assessment and give you a valuation of your claim. Reaching this point usually takes around two to three months.
4. We submit and manage your claim with the FSCS while its investigation into the firm continues. If we do not think you have grounds, or your claim is not successful, you do not pay a penny.
Seek claim advice today
If you took pension or SIPP advice from InterestMe Financial Planning, InterestMe Advisers or Wise Pension Group, and you lack the time, confidence or inclination to deal with the FSCS yourself, talk to us about your claim or call 0800 041 8359. Time limits can apply to financial claims, so it is worth having a free, no obligation consultation sooner rather than later. You can also read more about pension transfer claims and pension compensation.
Sources: FSCS, InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd (failed firms page), 2026-09-28; FCA, InterestMe Financial Planning Limited (IMFP) and the appointed representative InterestMe Advisers Limited (IMA) enter administration, 2026-09-28; FX News Group, InterestMe Financial Planning Limited enters administration, 2026-09-28; Financial Planning Today, FSCS opens investigation into London Financial Planning firm; Financial Planning Today, London Financial Planning firm goes into administration; Professional Adviser, Financial planning firm and appointed representative enter administration; Financial Ombudsman Service, Decision DRN-5218805 (Mr M v InterestMe Financial Planning Ltd); Financial Ombudsman Service, Decisions DRN-3350613, DRN-3390344 and DRN-4483838 (pension-to-SIPP advice complaints).
