FINANCE
A WEALTH OF
Trusted advisers – Ian Stokoe( left), Paul Cornish and Michael Duffield( right) of BJFM.
EXPERTISE
Why sharing a home works well for financial planners BJFM
PICTURES: CHRIS BOOTH WORDS: DAVE ROBSON
They share a name and work from the same building – but the occupants of a modern office in Stockton excel in different services.
Baines Jewitt is one of Teesside’ s largest firms of chartered accountants, business advisers and tax experts.
In 2023, the firm moved from Yarm Lane in Stockton – its home since 1959 – to modern, spacious premises at Spitfire House in Falcon Court on Stockton’ s Preston Farm Industrial Estate. But look closely when you enter the building and you will find two Baines Jewitts for the price of one – because there’ s a separate company within the same office complex.
For while Baines Jewitt looks after more traditional accountancy needs, BJFM – Baines Jewitt Financial Management – concentrates on independent financial advice and wealth management, a service it has provided since 2012.
Naturally, the physical proximity of the two firms meant clients of the accountancy provided a lot of BJFM’ s initial work. But the clientele pool has widened and grown over the years, allowing BJFM to really make a mark in its own right.
BJFM’ s team of skilled advisers and administrators combine knowledge with experience to provide a trusted service in financial planning and wealth management. Go through the main Baines Jewitt doors and BJFM is on the right-hand side. But director and senior financial planner Paul Cornish admits BJFM has been something of a hidden gem – until now.
He told Tees Business:“ In the past, we haven’ t advertised to the wider community about the financial planning services we offer.
“ We’ ve built our business on the back of referrals from our existing clients. However, we now want to broaden our reach as we believe we have a lot to offer the financial advice market in Teesside.
“ Being able to provide independent advice is a key advantage because we have access to the whole investment market, unlike some larger restricted companies who are only able to advise on their own products and investments,” he explained.
“ We’ re also a single office on Teesside, and not part of a national company, which we believe is a real benefit to our clients.
38 | Tees Business