Cactus Financial Planning was founded by Ben Ellis in 2015.

We are Independent Financial Advisers based in Cheltenham with clients throughout the South-West.

We have grown rapidly since 2015, mainly due to recommendations from existing clients, solicitors and accountants.

Total clients 283
Funds under advice £93,000,000
About us

Meet Ben Ellis, our founder and Financial Planner

Ben has worked in financial services since 2002.

Looking for a new challenge he left his last position in 2015 to set up Cactus Financial Planning.

Ben specialises in working with people who want to plan seriously for their retirement, as well as owners of small to medium-sized businesses.

He has also spent nearly a decade working closely with a firm of accountants based in Bristol. This means he understand business owners, and the complexities associated with producing financial plans to meet their objectives.

Away from work Ben enjoys travel, good food, sport and physical challenges.

Ben's top five tips

Interviewed by New Model Adviser magazine, Ben gave his five top tips for running a successful business:

  1. Stay focused on the things you can control and do not get distracted by the things you cannot
  2. Do not put things off. Just get it done!
  3. Be disciplined with your time. Allocate your different job roles to certain days
  4. Stay active. Keep up your interests outside of work. Healthy body, healthy mind
  5. Do not underestimate the personal relationships with your clients

Contact Ben

0345 222 0275

07960 505 908

ben@cactusfp.co.uk

12 Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QB

Keeping it official

Financial Advisers are authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and appear on the FCA Register.

You can view Ben’s entry on the FCA Register by clicking here.  The entry for Cactus Financial Planning can be found here.

Furthermore, all financial advisers and planners must hold a valid Statement of Professional Standing. This proves the adviser is qualified to the required standard and undertakes an appropriate amount of Continuous Professional Development each year to ensure his or her knowledge is kept up to date.

You can view Ben’s current SPS by clicking here.

A word of warning. In this era of financial scams, beware of taking financial advice from anyone who doesn’t appear on the FCA Register, or hold a valid SPS.

Ben believes that continuously developing his skills and knowledge benefits his clients.

To date Ben holds the following qualifications, which are significantly in excess of the minimum level needed to give financial advice.

  • CF1 (Regulation and ethics)
  • CF3 (Financial protection)
  • CF4 (Retirement planning)
  • CF5 (Integrated financial planning)
  • CF8 (Long-term care insurance)
  • Financial Planning Certificate
  • G10 (Taxation and trusts)
  • R01 (Financial services, regulation & ethics)
  • R02 (Investment, principles & risk)
  • R04 (Pensions and retirement planning)

What do our clients have to say?

We were particularly impressed with the support and guidance Ben provided on what to expect in the early years of retirement and how we should organise our finances. We highly recommend Ben, we know he gives us good well-informed information and advice. Lynn & Julian
We were keen to ensure that our retirement planning was on track and that when we retired, maintain our standard of living. The service we received was professional, suited to our requirements and, most importantly, easy to understand. We would highly recommend Cactus Financial Planning. Stephen & Rachael
We needed investment advice after we had received an inheritance. After discussions with Ben he put into place a strategy where we were able to use these investments to help supplement our retirement income. We have been able to use this money to help pay for holidays and even a house extension! We have always found Ben a friendly and approachable person who understands our needs and requirements. Roger
I have recently started working with Ben who provided some investment advice. He explains things in a clear and concise manner, and is approachable and proactive. I have been delighted in the advice and ongoing service provided. Les