COWLEY & MILLER INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
Cowley & Miller are another firm of IFAs which have provided unsuitable pension switching advice to its clients.
The firm arranged investments into Carbon Credits through the Carbon Advice Group Plc.
These investments were high risk and unregulated and left clients exposed to high losses. The investments were classified as a “UCIS” by the FCA and as such should only be promoted to experienced investors or high net worth clients who could afford to deal with any losses.
In 2018 the FCA asked the firm to refrain from advising on transfers of defined benefit pensions (also known as final salary pensions).
Company background (public record)
The company was incorporated at Companies House on 14 January 2011 under company number SC391535. Its status at Companies House is recorded as dissolved.
Registered office: C/O Mclenan Corporate Marathon House, Olympic Business Park, Drybridge Road, Dundonald, KA2 9AE.
Nature of business (SIC): 66220.
Company timeline (public record)
Key dated events for this firm, drawn from public records. Each entry shows its source.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Jan 2011 | Company incorporated | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Judith Cowley appointed secretary | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Judith Cowley appointed director | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | James Park Miller appointed director | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Brian Reid Ltd. appointed corporate-secretary | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Brian Reid Ltd. resigned as corporate-secretary | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Stephen George Mabbott appointed director | Companies House |
| 14 Jan 2011 | Stephen George Mabbott resigned as director | Companies House |
| 25 Nov 2011 | Judith Cowley approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 25 Nov 2011 | James Park Miller approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 10 Apr 2013 | Alexander MacGregor Meldrum approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 11 Apr 2013 | Ryan Patrick O'Neil approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 30 Aug 2013 | Tidal Wealth Management Limited appointed as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 11 Sep 2013 | Harry David Young approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 08 Oct 2013 | Stuart MacDonald Lawrence approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 21 Jan 2014 | Cliffton Gillis appointed as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 03 Jun 2014 | Cliffton Colin Joseph Gillis approved by the FCA at the firm | FCA Register |
| 09 Jun 2014 | Cliffton Gillis ceased as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 31 May 2016 | Tidal Wealth Management Limited ceased as appointed representative | FCA Register |
| 02 Mar 2022 | Company wound up (creditors’ voluntary liquidation) | Companies House |
| 07 Jul 2022 | Declared in default by the FSCS | FSCS |
| 29 Feb 2024 | Company dissolved | Companies House |
| 29 Feb 2024 | Company due to be dissolved (creditors’ voluntary liquidation) | Companies House |
| 11 Apr 2024 | FCA status recorded as: No longer authorised | FCA Register |
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.
- Judith Cowley. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CPD21 – Advising or arranging equity release transactions (from), CPD20 – Advising or arranging regulated mortgage contracts (from), CPD11 – Pension transfer specialist (from), CPD6 – Personal recommendation on Friendly Soc tax-exempt policies(not Holloway) (from) at the firm.
- Alexander MacGregor Meldrum. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (10/04/2013 to 08/09/2017) at the firm.
- Cliffton Colin Joseph Gillis. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (03/06/2014 to 07/11/2016) at the firm.
- Ryan Patrick O'Neil. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (11/04/2013 to 04/01/2017) at the firm.
- James Park Miller. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CPD11 – Pension transfer specialist (from), CPD6 – Personal recommendation on Friendly Soc tax-exempt policies(not Holloway) (from), CPD4 – Personal recommendation on retail investments (not broker funds) (from), CF30 Customer (25/11/2011 to 08/12/2019) at the firm.
- Harry David Young. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (11/09/2013 to 31/05/2016) at the firm.
- Stuart MacDonald Lawrence. Listed on the FCA Register as having held CF30 Customer (23/05/2017 to 08/12/2019) at the firm.
- Brian Reid Ltd.. Listed at Companies House as corporate-secretary (appointed 2011-01-14, resigned 2011-01-14).
- Stephen George Mabbott. Listed at Companies House as director (appointed 2011-01-14, resigned 2011-01-14).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliffton Gillis | FRN 547952 | 21/01/2014 | 09/06/2014 |
| Tidal Wealth Management Limited | FRN 606583 | 30/08/2013 | 31/05/2016 |
Review page sources: FCA Register (FRN 550002) · Companies House (SC391535) · FSCS. Public records, provided for transparency.
