Clay Wealth Management Limited

17/07/2026

There is something special about working in a building that has stood the test of time.

The historic character of our Market Bosworth office reflects the rich heritage of the town itself and provides a unique backdrop to our day-to-day work. Surrounded by history, we are reminded of the importance of preserving traditions while continuing to evolve and look ahead.

It's a setting that combines heritage, character and a real sense of place.

16/07/2026

Investing and penalties: a game of nerves or reactions?

With the 2026 World Cup, fans across the globe will be excited to see their team perform but also dreading the stress of a potential penalty shootout.

A record-breaking five matches were decided this way in the 2022 tournament, including, famously, the final between Argentina and France.

Penalty shootouts offer goalkeepers the chance to be the hero, to display lightning reactions, diving to the left or right in an effort to keep the ball out of the net. In truth, they often would be better served staying put in the middle of the goal. But it wouldn’t look as good.

The same is true in investing – with so much noise around world events, it can be tempting to buy and sell investments as they rise and fall, to try and time the market. But history has shown time and time again the best option is to avoid making emotional decisions, and to stay true to your long-term process. While investments have delivered positive outcomes over many longer-term periods, returns can never be guaranteed, and you could get back less than you invest.

With the start of the 2026 World Cup, fans across the globe will be excited to see their team perform but also dreading the stress of a potential penalty shootout.

15/07/2026

Last week, the Clay Wealth Management team swapped the office for the Coventry Canal as we held our team meeting aboard Harry & Sally, a local canal boat.

While it may have looked a little different from our usual meeting room, the day had a clear purpose. Taking time away from our desks gave us the opportunity to reflect on the business, share ideas, discuss future plans and explore new ways we can continue to improve the experience we provide for our clients.

We firmly believe that some of the best conversations and most creative thinking happen when you step outside of your normal environment. The slower pace of the canal gave us the space to think differently, collaborate as a team and strengthen the relationships that help us work effectively together every day.

Looking after our wellbeing is also incredibly important. Creating opportunities to connect, recharge and enjoy time together helps us maintain a healthy, positive culture, which ultimately benefits both our team and our clients.

A productive day, a few fresh perspectives and some beautiful Warwickshire scenery along the way.

14/07/2026

The self-employed, older borrowers, first-time buyers, and workers paid in a foreign currency are among those who could benefit from a relaxation in mortgage lending rules.

The regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, has published a consultation into its proposed mortgage rule changes . The reforms, if introduced, would give lenders greater flexibility when lending to specific groups.

It could help many more borrowers secure a mortgage, where previously they have struggled, or been locked out of the market, due to rigid lending criteria.

The self-employed, older borrowers, first-time buyers, and workers paid in a foreign currency are among those who could benefit from a relaxation in mortgage lending rules.

10/07/2026

Recently, we shared the news that both Ben and Simon have become Full Members of STEP and can now use the designation TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner).

But what exactly is STEP?

STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is the global professional body for specialists who help families plan for the future. Its members advise on areas including trusts, estates, succession planning, wills and inheritance matters.

The TEP designation is recognised internationally and is awarded to professionals who have demonstrated specialist knowledge and expertise in this field, alongside a commitment to high professional standards.

For Ben and Simon, achieving Full STEP Membership reflects the time, dedication and professional development required to gain this respected accreditation.

We are proud to have two TEP-qualified advisers within the Clay Wealth Management team and congratulate them both on this achievement.

STEP

09/07/2026

Female wealth is growing at pace, fuelled by inheritance, more women in higher earning careers, and a rise in female entrepreneurship. Yet it is not a consistent picture across the board; research tells us that many women are facing gaps in their finances.

As the largest provider of financial advice in the UK, St. James's Place is committed to helping women take charge of their financial future. We are supportive of government initiatives to get more people to invest and have recently supported the launch of the UK’s Retail Investment Campaign, for example.

Over the next 12 months we will publish a series of articles aimed at helping women feel empowered when navigating all aspects of their money.

Our in-depth features aim to reassure and encourage women to take action to secure their financial future, whether they’re running a successful business or on a career break, taking a more proactive approach to their pension planning or thinking about how to invest an inheritance.

Female wealth is growing at pace, fuelled by inheritance, more women in higher earning careers, and a rise in female entrepreneurship. Yet it is not a consistent picture across the board; research tells us that many women are facing gaps in their finances.

08/07/2026

The countdown is on for Horsepool Farm Open Day on 29 August.

Lots of opportunity to get involved whether that’s with a stall or as a visitor.

🌿📣 Calling Local Businesses, Stall Holders & Vendors! 📣🌿

As we prepare for our Horsepool Farm Open Day on Saturday 29th August 2026, we’re looking for local businesses, community groups and vendors who would like to be involved in what promises to be a fantastic day for families.

We’re particularly interested in hearing from:

🍔 Hot food vendor
🎨 Face painter
💙 Community organisations
🏡 Local businesses looking to showcase their services

Our Open Day will be an opportunity for visitors to meet our animals, learn more about what we do, enjoy demonstrations, refreshments and spend time exploring the farm.

There is no charge for a pitch. We simply ask for a day of collaboration and, if you are able, a donation of your choice at the end of the day to help support the work we do with autistic youngsters and their families.

We love supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for our community to come together, so if you think your business or organisation would be a good fit, we’d love to hear from you!

📧 Please email [email protected] with details about your stall, service or business, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who may be interested.

Thank you, and we look forward to working together to make this a wonderful day for everyone! 💙🐑🐐🐷🐰

08/07/2026

One of our core values is Health.

Good health plays an important role in helping us enjoy life's opportunities and experiences. It influences how we spend our time, pursue our goals and connect with those around us.

As a team, we believe that maintaining balance and prioritising wellbeing are important foundations for a fulfilling and rewarding life.

07/07/2026

Moving from decades of building wealth to relying on investments for income is a significant transition. At this point, many people begin to think more carefully about risk, particularly how much of it they are comfortable taking.

Meanwhile, those who are approaching retirement may feel concerned about the timing of taking income from investments in the current economic and geopolitical environment, when markets may seem more volatile.

However, de-risking a portfolio is often misunderstood. In practice, it simply means making your investments safer and more stable over time, although it can't remove risk entirely and factors such as inflation still need to be considered. It doesn’t need to happen suddenly, nor does it mean sacrificing potential for long-term growth.

So what is the right time to do it? Here we explore how to approach de-risking and some of the strategies available.

Moving from decades of building wealth to relying on investments for income is a significant transition. At this point, many people begin to think more carefully about risk, particularly how much of it they are comfortable taking.

03/07/2026

🎉 Double Congratulations! 🎉

We are delighted to share that both Ben and Simon have now been approved as Full Members of STEP and can officially use the designation TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner).

Having successfully completed their examinations earlier this year, they have now received approval of their membership, marking the final step in achieving this respected professional designation.

This means Clay Wealth Management is proud to have not one, but two TEP-qualified advisers within our team.

Congratulations to Ben and Simon on this fantastic achievement and their continued commitment to professional excellence.

STEP