Back in 2006 Simon left the cosy employment world of a salary, bonus, pension, car allowance to go self-employed. He signed up with Positive Solutions and started trading as The Lost Coin. A number of his former clients followed him and still remain with his business to this day. It certainly was not easy in those early days, with three young children and a large mortgage.
Simon chose to operate his business using a fixed fee model rather than the more typical percentage of assets or hourly rate models that he had worked in the past. This proved a wise choice, as stock markets plummeted almost 50% between June 2007 and March 2009. During that time his colleagues struggled with declining incomes whilst his own business flourished.
In 2008 he felt prompted to move their family and the business to the South West, having lived around the Midlands all his life. Almost every client stayed and Simon became used to long productive days visiting clients in the wider Northamptonshire area. After a failed merger in 2009 he continued to grow the business through his colleagues at Positive Solutions and local accountancy and legal connections.
The scrapping of pension and investment commissions from 2013 did not present the business with any problems due to their fixed fee model. However, with changes to the ownership of Positive Solutions and the shift towards restricted advisers it was time to move on.
Having grown the business Simon liked the idea of operating as a limited company so that he could align the business to those of his key clients and better understand the issues they face. He soon found a new home with award winning Sense Network who are committed to supporting independent financial advisers and have the latest technology. And so, in late 2014 The Lost Coin Financial Planning Ltd was established. The route to authorisation took longer than expected so the new company started trading in Autumn 2015. Within a few months all the regular fee-paying clients had moved over and the business has continued to grow to this day.
Meet the team
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Simon Carlin – BA DipPFS DipPMIDirector | Financial Planner | IFA
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Heidi Carlin – BACompany Secretary | Marketing Assistant
Simon Carlin – BA DipPFS DipPMI
Simon has over 25 years experience working in financial services. He started at the Inland Revenue in their Pensions department before moving on to top Accountancy firms. After obtaining his Diploma with the Personal Finance Society, Simon set up on his own in 2006. He provides independent financial planning advice to a variety of clients, particularly business owners, professionals and the retired. He helps clients to think through their objectives and adapt their plans to meet life’s changes.
Outside of work Simon is a trustee and Treasurer of Zion United Church. He also plays the clarinet in their worship group. On a Friday night he wanders around Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath with Heidi as part of Zion Street Space, a recent youth outreach initiative.
Simon is married to Heidi and they have lived in the village for almost ten years. Their three children are all but grown up with two daughters away at University and a son studying GCSEs in Winterbourne
Heidi Carlin – BA
Heidi has assisted Simon in his business since he first set up in 2006. She designs and makes personalised birthday cards for clients. She also helps Simon represent his business at the South Gloucestershire Business Show.
Heidi’s main work is for Zion United Church as their Children and Family Worker. She is currently studying a Pioneer Ministry course in children and families.
