Who We Work With

 Ben is a Partner at The Cosgrove Partnership LLP, established in 2007. He is a Chartered Financial Planner (Chartered ALIBF) and a Pension Transfer Specialist (AwPETR), demonstrating his dedication to the profession of financial planning and ensuring clients receive top-notch investment advice. Achieving ‘Chartered Financial Planner’ status and being recognised as a ‘Pension Transfer Specialist’ underlines his commitment to providing clients with the best possible retirement planning solutions.

In November 2021, he was named by Citywire as one of the top 35 advisers in the UK under the age of 35, and in 2022, he was shortlisted for ‘Rising Star of the Year’ by Professional Adviser. Ben is also SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisers) qualified, enabling him to offer expert advice to clients in later life on relevant financial planning issues. 

He has benefited greatly from his experience working his way up at a large corporate financial planning business (Tilney, Smith & Williamson, now Evelyn Partners), where he directly supported one of the Partners in the Manchester office. Following this, he held a senior role at a smaller firm, Depledge SWM, before joining The Cosgrove Partnership. With many years of experience in financial planning and a superb support team, Ben is extremely well-equipped to provide first-class advice and service.

Outside of work, he values quality time with his partner Sarah and their golden retriever, Gigi. He is also a keen golfer, playing to a single-figure handicap whenever time allows.  

Jonathan works behind the scenes, assisting Ben with reports, research, and the overall business operations related to financial planning. 

He is a Chartered Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, the highest level of recognition offered by the PFS. Additionally, he is qualified as a Chartered Financial Planner, although he has chosen not to provide direct investment advice to clients. Instead, he utilizes his technical knowledge to support Ben in a non-client facing role.

Jonathan began his financial planning career at Aviva in Norwich, where he dedicated six years to various roles in pensions. After a brief period at a local financial adviser, he transitioned to Harrold Financial Planning (HFP), now part of the Shackleton Group. There, he advanced from a paraplanner to Operations Manager, eventually becoming Operations Director before joining Ben.

As an expert in process optimization, Jonathan leverages technology to enhance the service quality for clients, particularly in areas like retirement planning. He also assists Ben with all technical queries, which include pension and tax calculations, and is responsible for writing detailed client reports.

Outside of work, Jonathan cherishes time with his wife, Claire, and daughter, Claudia. He enjoys holidaying (especially cruises), solving escape rooms, playing video and board games, and reading at least one book a week.

 Sarah is an experienced administrator and personal assistant (having held a diverse range of roles supporting senior executives) who plays a crucial role in supporting Ben and Jonathan with their financial planning and investment advice.

Her days are dedicated to ensuring that all important administrative requirements are expertly taken care of.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys socialising with friends/family, keeping fit, music and travel.  She is an animal lover with a particular love of dogs and birdlife. 

 Jon is Ben's Father. Jon was a successful IFA for over 30 years prior to retiring in July 2024. He remains a director of ‘Jon Lancaster Investment Services’, a limited company that operates in connection to Ben's activities with the Cosgrove Partnership for tax effiiency purposes (we practice what we preach!).

Jon now supports Ben in the running of a succesful IFA practice, offering valued counsel and strategic direction where required. Jon specialised in Inheritance Tax Planning during his career.

In his spare time, he enjoys holidays in the sunshine, keeping fit (gym work and cycling) and he is a keen golf and cricket fan.  

We are proud to be a part of the Cosgrove Partnership LLP, an established independent and directly authorised organisation that excels in financial planning. The Partnership provides us with valuable, high-quality administrative and compliance support functions, enabling us to offer exceptional investment advice and effective retirement planning.