Family Office and Private Client Adviser

With 15 Years of experience as a financial adviser in Abu Dhabi, I specialise in providing high-level wealth planning and cross-border tax strategies for private clients and family offices.

My name is James Spence, and I am a UK Level 4 qualified financial adviser and a member of two professional bodies both the CII and CISI.

My expertise lies in structuring international wealth solutions, ensuring tax efficiency, and navigating complex regulatory landscapes across multiple jurisdictions.

Many family offices I work with lack in-house expertise that is up to date with the latest financial regulations and best practices. My role is to bridge that gap—collaborating closely with family offices to upgrade their internal knowledge and implement sophisticated financial strategies that align with their long-term goals.

As part of a private client network of independent financial advisers, which is ultimately listed on the London Stock Exchange, I have access to a global network of licensed offices, including in the UAE, where we hold both SCA and IA licences. This allows me to provide fully regulated financial advice to UAE residents while leveraging our international framework to deliver seamless cross-border solutions in key financial hubs such as the UK, Singapore, and South Africa.

I operate on a fair and transparent pricing model—charging based on the value I add rather than relying on traditional commission structures senn commonly in the UAE. Whether through a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of assets under management, my focus is always on delivering strategic, client-first financial planning. My aim is to develop a deep understanding of each client’s unique needs, assisting them with cross-border tax structuring, wealth preservation, and long-term financial planning that secures their legacy.

If you are looking for tailored, independent financial advice backed by a global network of expertise, I invite you to connect with me. Let’s build a strategy that ensures your wealth works for you—now and for generations to come.

As an independent financial adviser, I am not a tied agent, meaning I am not restricted to offering only in-house products like a bank would. When you seek advice from a bank, you are typically limited to their own range of financial products, whereas I have the freedom to provide truly unbiased recommendations. My independence allows me to source the best solutions from across the market, including options that most banks—private banks included—simply do not offer due to their restricted product range. This ensures that my advice is always tailored to what is genuinely in your best interests.

In the world of financial advice, the phrase “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be more true. It’s easy to be drawn in by advisers who advertise “free” services or don’t charge anything upfront. But in many of these cases, they’re being paid through hidden commissions—recommending products that might not truly suit your needs and could cost you significantly more over time.

I take a different approach.

My services aren’t free because they’re not built on product sales or behind-the-scenes incentives. I charge a clear, professional fee for advice that’s independent, experienced, and tailored to you. You’re paying for over 15 years of expertise, respected qualifications, and a commitment to high standards through professional body memberships.

Fiduciary duty is the ethical and legal obligation to act in the best interests of the client, even ahead of your own interests or the firm’s.

• It includes duties of loyalty, good faith, and full disclosure.

• This principle underpins everything in financial planning — especially when giving advice.

This is often forgotten in the advice space int he UAE, however it forms the core principle of my Advice basis.