Verity Corbett Dip PFS - Independent Financial Planner.

05/06/2026

Why I love my job!

This week I’ve had an amazing mix of client appointments, CPD sessions, networking, admin and last but not least Charity fundraising.

I have had meetings with amazing clients where we’ve discussed what is most important to them in their lives and different options for how best to help them achieve them. Some appointments were the first time I’ve met prospective clients which is always interesting because I love finding out about new people and then working out how best to help them. For existing clients that’s equally rewarding but in a different way, I love building up a deep and trusting relationship with my clients and look forward to seeing them again.

On Wednesday we had a team meeting day at Theatre Severn where we completed a mix of sessions ensuring we have the most up to date knowledge and we are best placed to give excellent up to date advice to those in our care.

Today I visited the Oswestry Women Who networking group for the first time. It was great to see a number of familiar faces as well as new ones. The empowerment and support in the room was evident. Women who is always such a supportive group and this new venue was no exception.

And then another reason this week has been especially wonderful is that I get to support charities through my work. This week Croft and Oakes took part in the Let’s Eat Cake fundraising activity for Hope House Children’s Hospice. I’ve loved meeting new people when they’ve come to buy our cake and it’s been overwhelming how generous and supportive people have been.

If you’d like help with your finances then please get in touch as I’d love to add you to the list of people I take care of and support in achieving their dreams.

03/06/2026

Something simple but an important thing for your pension.

When was the last time you checked the beneficiaries on your pension?

One simple but important task is making sure your Expression of Wish (sometimes called a nomination of beneficiaries) is up to date.

Your Expression of Wish tells pension trustees or scheme managers who you would like to receive any remaining pension benefits when you die.

While it is not usually legally binding, trustees will generally take your wishes into account when deciding who should receive benefits. Keeping it up to date can be especially important after major life events such as marriage, divorce, having children or bereavement.

Some providers also allow you to name secondary beneficiaries, providing additional guidance if circumstances change.

Updating your nomination only takes a few minutes but could make a significant difference to the people you care about most.

If you haven’t checked yours recently, it may be worth adding it to your financial to-do list.



Important Information

The value of investments and pensions can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.

Pension and inheritance tax rules are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances.

This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Professional advice should be sought before taking any action.

31/05/2026

💫 Why I’m Not Your Average Financial Planner 💫

There are over 27,000 financial planners in the UK, but no two are exactly the same. Here are a few reasons why my clients often tell me I’m different:

1️⃣ Experience from a different path

Before becoming a Financial Planner, I spent 14 years as a maths teacher and Head of Department. That experience taught me how to explain complex subjects clearly, listen carefully, and help people make confident decisions.

2️⃣ A different perspective

Only around 16% of financial planners are female. I understand that financial decisions affect people in different ways and I aim to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and getting involved in the planning process.

3️⃣ I know what it’s like to feel unsure about money

I haven’t always worked in financial services and there was a time when financial planning felt overwhelming to me too. That’s why I focus on making advice understandable, practical and free from unnecessary jargon.

4️⃣ Truly independent advice

I work for a Chartered Financial Planning firm and provide independent advice. That means I can recommend solutions based on what’s right for my clients, rather than being restricted to a limited range of products or providers.

5️⃣ I invest in my own learning

Financial planning is constantly evolving, so I believe learning should never stop. I’ve gone well beyond the minimum qualification requirements, passing all of my professional exams at the first attempt and achieving distinction-level results. Along the way, I’ve received awards from the Chartered Insurance Institute for outstanding exam performance and continue working towards Chartered status to ensure my knowledge remains current and my clients receive the best possible advice.

6️⃣ Real client feedback

I’m proud to be rated Excellent on VouchedFor, with reviews from clients who have trusted me to help them navigate important financial decisions and life transitions.

When you put all of that together, plus a genuine passion for helping people feel confident about their finances, it’s fair to say I’m not your average Financial Planner.

If you’re looking for someone who will take the time to understand what’s important to you, explain things clearly, and help you build a plan for the future, I’d love to have a conversation.

📅 Get in touch to arrange a free discovery meeting.

📞 07519750099
📧 [email protected]

28/05/2026

You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink… 🐴💧

Earlier I caught this little moment of my horse happily drinking straight from the hosepipe, and it got me thinking about financial planning.

The information, guidance and opportunities to improve your finances are all out there, but nothing really changes until you decide to take action.

So many people put off reviewing pensions, investments, protection or inheritance tax planning because it feels complicated, overwhelming or something to deal with “later”. But often, the earlier you start making good decisions, the more options you give yourself in the future.

A good financial planner can help bring clarity, explain your choices in plain English and help you create a plan that actually fits your life and goals. But the most important step is being willing to engage with it in the first place.

Small actions taken consistently over time can make a huge difference.

If you’d like help with your finances please call 07519750099 or email [email protected].

27/05/2026

Saw this and it really resonated. I regularly see clients who wish they had got ‘onto the right train sooner’. If you have any doubt in your mind, why not have a meeting to check. It’s likely to be better than carrying on hoping you’ll get to your intended destination.

I can't remember where I saw this quote, but it struck a chord with me. I've hopped on the 'wrong train' more than once, and absolutely stayed on it even when my gut was telling me home was becoming more distant.

The more you drift from what you want, the harder it can feel to change course. But as my late Father always said "You can only work from where you are". And that is true of anything, so if you've been delaying that change of course, that action to take, that decision to make, this is your sign to get off that wrong train.

And if that wrong train includes tax, or accounting, you know where to find me (links are in my bio) for no judgement help ❤

21/05/2026

The power of a bit of planning and effort over the quick fix

This week my son had a special school day all about the Vikings, which meant going dressed as one for the day. The teacher encouraged parents to create costumes from things we already had at home rather than buying one and, if I’m honest, that filled me with a little fear because this sort of thing is definitely not my strength!

However, with a little planning, creativity and teamwork as a family (my husband was brilliant), we managed to come up with this homemade Viking outfit.

Now, is it the best costume ever? Definitely not. But did it create more fun, laughter and memories than a quick-fix Amazon version? Absolutely.

It also reminded me how often the best outcomes in life come from taking a little more time and making intentional decisions rather than looking for the quickest solution.

The same applies to financial planning. Building a strong financial future rarely comes from a quick fix. It comes from taking time to reflect on what you want from life, creating a plan that fits your goals and then staying accountable to it over time.

That is exactly what I help my clients do. I support them in understanding their finances, identifying any gaps in their planning and building a route towards the future they want, while adapting those plans as life changes along the way.

If you’d like help with your finances call 07519750099 or email [email protected]

20/05/2026

🥰 It is great to be part of a team who consistently have our clients at the centre of everything we do.

The Family Rule.

At Croft and Oakes we have a simple rule in the office.

Whenever we are working on a case where the solution is not immediately clear or obvious, we stop and ask ourselves one important question:

“What would we recommend to our own dearest family members?”

That question helps guide everything we do. It keeps our clients’ best interests firmly at the centre of every conversation, every recommendation, and every plan we create.

Financial planning is never just about numbers on a page. It is about people, families, futures, hopes, goals, and creating reassurance during life’s important moments.

We are here to help make our clients’ lives better by supporting them with their finances, giving them confidence that they are on the right path and helping them work towards the future they want to achieve.

The truth is, we treat our clients just like family, because you are incredibly important to us.

20/05/2026

“What’s in a year?”

Time is a very powerful thing.

These beautiful Lupins were grown from seeds by my son and I when he was little. Every year since, they return to delight us for a few precious months through the summer, standing tall as a reminder of how quickly time passes, but also how rewarding patience can be.

The natural cycle of the seasons is reflected in so much of life. We often find ourselves returning to the same points, the same values, and the same people and things that matter most to us.

Creating the right plan for yourselves, achieving the goals that are most important to you, and building a life you truly enjoy rarely happens overnight. Like these Lupins, it often takes time to grow and develop into what you hoped for. Then, once established, it needs a little ongoing care and attention to help keep you on the right path so you can continue to enjoy it year after year.

Financial planning is very much the same. Small steps taken consistently over time can grow into something far more meaningful than we first imagined. 🌸

If you’d like help cultivating your financial plan so it blooms, please reach out and I’ll do my best to support you.

Call 07519750099 or email [email protected].

18/05/2026

We had such a brilliant evening. If you haven’t looked recently at what Theatre Severn has on I’d highly recommend you spend a few minutes having a look.

18/05/2026

Love this video. Very proud to sponsor Theatre Severn.