Who runs it?
The website is written, published and maintained by Mark Potter. He has worked in financial services for over 40 years, starting in a building society and then becoming an IFA. He eventually specializing in investment portfolio design, mainly for people preparing for retirement or who had already retired, especially those with pension drawdown arrangements.
At the age of 27 Mark was appointed employee trustee of a large final salary pension scheme. He has qualified as a Chartered Secretary (specializing in finance), Chartered Banker and Chartered Financial Planner. He was runner up in the inaugural Chartered Financial Planner of the Year Awards. He has advised clients investing many millions of pounds over several decades.
Does the site offer financial advice?
No, the operator has no authorization from the UK or any other financial services regulator. The content is intended as information only and users are expected to be experienced at making investment decisions on their own, or using the services of an authorized financial adviser. Novice investors may benefit from the content but are strongly advised to use the information on offer to select a well-qualified specialist IFA.
Most of the content will be in the form of blog posts which will appear several times a month. These are generally Mark’s ‘take’ on financial market news, or ideas that come his way as someone who has a lifelong interest in money matters (yes, even back to piggy bank days).
The more detailed offering described as the subscription service offered is only available to users who can confirm that they are looking for information, research and opinion but not personal financial advice. The site is best understood as being like a magazine for enthusiasts or hobbyists who want to better understand how the UK market for retail investors really works and to get a well informed truly independent view of the global context for making investment decisions. It is a resource of useful up to date news, information, commentary and opinion, the latter being at times forthright and arguably controversial!
Who is the site designed for?
The content is only intended to be read by UK resident investors who are already invested in or who are interested in investing in collective funds (unit trusts. OEICS) either directly or via ISAs, pension and other tax “wrappers”. However, some content may be relevant to investors who want to buy shares, including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). It is assumed that readers who are actually making investments have access to a low cost dealing platform and advice about investment risk and financial planning from a regulated professional in the UK.
The provider accepts no liability nor responsibility for financial and investment decisions made by investors and the content does not constitute any form of recommendation.
The content is offered as a research and learning resource only.
This extra article may be helpful https://www.itsnotharry.com/use-this-website/
Why is NotHarry different to other investment websites?
This is simply because the content is prepared by a highly experienced and qualified writer who is not working for any sort of investment business with services to sell. The website carries no advertising and the author has no connection with any issuer of investment funds.
The author strongly believes that a large part the UK public are poorly served by the financial services profession and that much of the advice offered and implemented is inexpert, expensive and likely to produce unexpected outcomes. This site will explain what goes on behind the scenes in IFA and stockbroker businesses, what it really costs to operate your portfolio and how to best assess and understand the risks you are taking.
The subscription option, explained under the tab ‘For More Experienced Investors‘, is for investors who want to understand more complex aspects and the fee payable is in effect a charge for intellectual property. The low fees (when compared with the levels charged by financial advisers) reflect the low operating costs of NotHarry.