Investment Advice in Kent
Independent, whole-of-market investment advice from a Chartered Financial Planner. We help you build a portfolio that matches your goals, risk profile and time horizon — with a clear, structured plan and ongoing support to keep you on track.
Independent investment advice in Kent
Investing is one of the most powerful ways to build long-term wealth, but it comes with risk, complexity and an overwhelming number of choices. Markets move, tax rules change and the range of available products grows constantly. Without a clear strategy, it is easy to make decisions based on short-term noise rather than long-term objectives.
As independent advisers, we are not tied to any investment platform, fund manager or product range. We assess the whole market to find solutions that genuinely suit your circumstances — whether you are investing a lump sum, building wealth over time, generating income in retirement or passing assets on to the next generation.
Based in Hartley, Kent, we advise clients across Gravesend, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Tonbridge and the wider South East. Meetings can be held in person or by video call.
Our investment philosophy
We take an evidence-based approach to investing. This means building diversified portfolios based on established principles — broad diversification, appropriate asset allocation, cost efficiency and discipline — rather than chasing short-term performance or making speculative bets. We focus on what you can control: risk level, costs, tax efficiency and behaviour.
Where your money can be invested
The wrapper you use to hold your investments is just as important as what you invest in. Different wrappers offer different tax treatment, flexibility and rules. We assess your full financial picture and recommend the most appropriate combination for your situation.
Stocks and shares ISA
An ISA allows up to £20,000 per tax year to be invested free of income tax and capital gains tax. Growth and withdrawals are tax-free, making it one of the most efficient long-term investment vehicles available. ISAs can hold a wide range of assets including funds, shares, bonds and investment trusts.
General investment account (GIA)
A GIA has no annual contribution limit, making it useful once ISA allowances are exhausted or for larger lump sum investments. Returns are subject to income tax and capital gains tax, but careful planning around annual CGT allowances and dividend allowances can reduce the tax burden significantly.
Investment bonds
Onshore and offshore investment bonds offer a different tax treatment to ISAs and GIAs, allowing gains to be deferred and potentially taken during lower-income years. They can be useful for higher-rate taxpayers, those planning to retire or move abroad, and as part of an estate planning strategy. Tax rules are complex and advice is strongly recommended.
Junior ISA
A Junior ISA allows up to £9,000 per tax year to be invested tax-efficiently for a child, with funds locked until they turn 18. A useful way to build a financial foundation for children or grandchildren over the long term. We advise on suitable investment strategies within a Junior ISA appropriate to the child’s age and time horizon.
Pension (SIPP)
A Self-Invested Personal Pension offers one of the most tax-efficient ways to invest for the long term. Contributions attract tax relief at your marginal rate, growth is tax-deferred and the fund sits outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes (until April 2027). We advise on pension investment strategy alongside your wider financial plan.
Trusts and estate planning vehicles
For those with larger estates or specific succession planning objectives, investments can be held within trust structures to manage inheritance tax exposure, control the timing of distributions and protect assets for beneficiaries. We work alongside solicitors where legal documentation is required.
How we approach investment advice
As a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser, Kris Dabner provides investment advice that starts with your goals and circumstances, not a product or platform. Every recommendation is based on a thorough assessment of your financial position, objectives, attitude to risk and capacity for loss.
- Understand your goals and time horizon
We explore what you want to achieve — capital growth, income, wealth preservation or a combination — and over what timeframe, to establish a clear investment objective.
- Assess your risk profile
We assess your attitude to investment risk alongside your capacity for loss — the financial impact you could absorb if markets fell. These are not the same thing and both are essential to determining the right strategy.
- Review your existing arrangements
We review any existing investments, ISAs, pensions or savings to understand what you already hold, what it costs and whether it remains suitable — before making any new recommendations.
- Recommend a tax-efficient strategy
We consider which investment wrappers are most appropriate for your tax position, how to make use of available allowances each year and how to structure withdrawals to minimise unnecessary tax.
- Provide ongoing reviews and support
For clients who want ongoing advice, we monitor your portfolio, rebalance when appropriate, review your strategy annually and keep you informed as markets, tax rules or your circumstances change.
Why work with KMD Financial Planning for investment advice?
No platform or fund bias
We are not tied to any investment platform, discretionary manager or fund range. Every recommendation is assessed across the whole market based solely on what is appropriate for your circumstances.
Highest professional standard
Chartered Financial Planner status reflects the highest level of technical expertise and professional accreditation in UK financial planning, with a commitment to acting in your interests at all times.
Investments within your wider plan
We consider how your investments fit with your pension, mortgage, protection and estate planning so your overall financial position is coherent, tax-efficient and working towards the same goals.
What working together looks like
We follow a clear, structured process so you know what to expect at every stage. Nothing happens without your agreement and we keep you informed throughout.
- Free initial conversation
A no-obligation call or meeting to understand your goals, existing arrangements and concerns. We confirm whether and how we can help before any work begins.
- Fact-find and risk assessment
We gather full details of your financial position, existing investments, income, tax situation and goals, and carry out a thorough risk profiling exercise.
- Research and suitability analysis
We assess the most appropriate investment strategy, wrappers and platforms for your situation, taking account of cost, tax efficiency and your overall financial plan.
- Written recommendation
We present a clear written suitability report explaining what we recommend, why, the expected risk and return profile, costs involved and any alternatives considered.
- Implementation
We arrange the investment, handle the paperwork, manage any transfers from existing providers and ensure everything is set up correctly before funds are invested.
- Ongoing review (if required)
We offer annual or periodic reviews to monitor performance, rebalance your portfolio, review your strategy and ensure your investments remain suitable as your circumstances evolve.
Frequently asked questions about investment advice
How much money do I need to start investing?
There is no fixed minimum, but investment advice tends to be most cost-effective once you have a meaningful lump sum to invest — typically £20,000 or more — or are making regular contributions that will build over time. We are always transparent about whether the cost of advice represents good value for your specific situation and will say so honestly if it does not.
What is the difference between a financial adviser and a discretionary fund manager?
A financial adviser makes recommendations that you approve before any action is taken. A discretionary fund manager has authority to buy and sell investments within agreed parameters without seeking your approval each time. As a financial adviser, we recommend the overall strategy, wrappers and platform, and can recommend a discretionary manager to manage the underlying portfolio where that is the most suitable approach.
Should I use an ISA or a pension for long-term investing?
Both offer significant tax advantages but in different ways. Pensions attract upfront tax relief on contributions — a 20% boost for basic rate taxpayers and 40% for higher rate — but funds are locked until at least age 57. ISAs offer no upfront relief but withdrawals are completely tax-free at any time with no age restriction. For most people the optimal approach is to use both, in a proportion that depends on your income, tax position, age and when you are likely to need access to the money.
What is an evidence-based approach to investing?
An evidence-based approach means building portfolios according to principles supported by decades of academic research rather than short-term market views or fund manager opinions. The key principles are broad diversification across asset classes and geographies, appropriate asset allocation based on your risk profile, minimising costs and maintaining discipline during periods of market volatility.
Can you advise on existing investments I already hold?
Yes. We regularly review existing portfolios, ISAs, investment bonds and general investment accounts for new clients. We assess whether what you hold remains suitable, whether the costs are reasonable, whether the asset allocation reflects your current risk profile and goals, and whether a restructure would be in your interests.
How do you manage investment risk?
Risk management begins with a thorough assessment of both your attitude to risk — how you feel about the possibility of losses — and your capacity for loss — how much you could actually afford to lose without it affecting your financial security or plans. We then build a diversified portfolio aligned to that risk level, spreading exposure across asset classes, geographies and sectors.
Do you offer ongoing investment management?
Yes. For clients who want ongoing support, we offer a regular review service that includes annual portfolio reviews, rebalancing where appropriate, tax planning at the start of each new tax year and updates whenever your circumstances change. Some clients prefer one-off advice without an ongoing arrangement — we are happy to work on either basis.
Do you advise clients outside Hartley and Longfield?
Yes. Whilst based in Hartley, Kent, we advise clients across Gravesend, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Tonbridge and the wider South East. Meetings can be held in person or by video call, whichever you prefer.
Talk to us about your investments
Whether you are investing for the first time, reviewing an existing portfolio or planning for long-term growth, we can help you build a clear, structured strategy tailored to your goals.
Book a free initial callImportant Information
The information on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute individual financial advice. Please seek regulated financial advice tailored to your personal circumstances before making any investment decisions.
The value of investments may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future. The information on this page is based on current legislation and HMRC practice, which may change.