Welcome to Blue Sky Family Wealth Management
I built my company with a simple purpose in mind: to provide honest, caring, and trustworthy financial advice that genuinely helps people. Blue Sky is a firm where every client feels valued and heard, and where we focus on long-term relationships, not just transactions. Everyone is encouraged not just to dream big, but to live big, too. Everything we do is built around helping you and your family achieve lasting financial security and peace of mind and ensuring you make the most of your opportunities.
How My Personal Journey Has Shaped The Blue Sky Culture
If I’m honest, I didn’t set out to be a financial adviser or even to work in financial services—it just happened. I fell into a job with a large insurance company straight out of school, and for years, I did what most people do: work harder, earn more money, buy more things. But despite the outward success—career progression, money, possessions—I never quite felt satisfied.
Regularly I found myself asking, “Why am I not happy?” By all accounts, I had what I thought I should want: success, ambition, and financial comfort. Yet something was missing. It took life itself, in all its unpredictability, to teach me what truly matters—and it wasn’t money or material possessions.
When my dad passed away, it forced me to reflect on how I was living. He had spent his life working tirelessly for his family, only to be taken by cancer shortly after retirement. It was the start of a period of real self-reflection. Then, when I lost my beautiful wife, Juliet, to the same illness, those doubts about my life became impossible to ignore. I realised I wasn’t living my truth—I was chasing a life that I thought I should want, rather than the one that would truly fulfil me.
Through the pain of those losses, I came to understand one vital truth: We only get one shot at this life, and we need to make it count. The regrets of not living fully are crushing, both for those nearing the end and for the loved ones left behind.
This realisation transformed not only how I live but also how I approach financial planning. Today, I help my clients define what a fulfilling life looks like for them—and then work to secure that life. It’s not just about accumulating wealth; it’s about making sure you spend your money on the experiences that will bring joy and meaning to your life. I make it a point to ensure my clients understand the full range of possibilities open to them, and I actively encourage them to embrace those opportunities.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: help others live the life they truly want, with no regrets. Because we all deserve to live a life that feels complete, not just one that looks successful from the outside.
When not working, I love to be involved in community-based initiatives – I am incredibly proud to have been the creator of the Longridge SoapBox Derby. We have now safely delivered three Derbies (as of September 2024), which have raised nearly £60,000 for local charities and hospices, whilst also entertaining thousands of spectators and brought important income into the town. I chair the Love Longridge Business Group and love working with my fellow members, who are as committed to improving their immediate surroundings, as I am. I love running, hiking, skiing and walking my dog, Oska. If we can get onto a beach in Anglesey, we are both very happy indeed.
There are still so many opportunities to experience in life and I am as determined to take my opportunities as I am to help you take yours. Blue Sky thinking is for everyone.
Projects
Projects
Experience
Experience
Mission and Values
Our mission is to provide honest, independent and caring advice across all areas of investments, pensions, and savings, free from unnecessary costs. We strive to help you engage confidently with your financial future, ensuring your money works for you. Our goal is to support you in living a great life, while offering the peace of mind that your family will be protected when the time is right.
What We do
At the heart of what we do is our independence, allowing us to offer the best possible financial advice and investment solutions without being restricted by business models or external pressures. We provide personalised cashflow planning and experience-based financial coaching to help you make informed decisions. In addition to guiding you through your own financial journey, we offer education, guidance and support for adult members of your family when needed, ensuring everyone is equipped to manage their finances confidently. Our approach is rooted in trust, care, and a genuine commitment to your financial well-being.
Who we Serve
We work with individuals and couples who are approaching, or in, retirement, or who are looking for exit strategies from their business. Typically, our clients want more than simply to grow their assets; they are looking for a personalised plan to structure their wealth in a way that minimises tax, provides an enduring legacy for their family and guides and educates adult members of their family so that they are ready to cope with the challenges of dealing with high levels of wealth.
Meet the founder, Gary Ward
“I have been working in the financial services industry for over 35 years – where on earth did that time go”?
“I might have ’fallen into’ the industry by accident, attracted by the job security, good pension and a lack of a better career plan, but now I absolutely love my job and feel incredibly lucky to be able to help my clients make some of the most important decisions in their lives”.
Experience & Qualifications
“On a professional note, I am a Chartered Financial Planner and a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Planners), which means that I have the knowledge and skills to provide you with a personal and effective plan to achieve your aims. I spent many years working for world-wide insurance companies in technical and sales management roles prior to moving into the ultimate role of helping people shape their own financial lives”.
Area of Speciality
“I help families, business owners and trustees make wise financial decisions and to live their best possible life, by taking away the fear of running out of money. In short, I aim to provide the financial independence needed to follow your dreams and to avoid the damaging effects of Inheritance Tax and Long-term care”.
Our Services
Financial Protection
Life is never straightforward or predictable and sudden changes can de-rail even the most carefully crafted plans.
On top of the emotional toll of illness or loss, the financial strain can add layers of stress and anxiety. It can be incredibly difficult to focus on healing or grieving when you’re also worried about making ends meet or keeping your home.
These are the real-life situations that can catch families off guard. That’s why having financial protection in place is so important—it gives you one less thing to worry about during already challenging times and helps to safeguard the future for those you love
We offer guidance and advice to you and adult family members that can help protect financial security in the event of serious ill-health, critical illness and death. A very brief description of some of the products we may typically recommend follows:
Life Insurance (Life Cover)
- Term Life Insurance: Provides a lump sum payout if the policyholder dies within a set term (e.g., 10, 20, or 30 years).
- Whole of Life Insurance: Offers lifelong coverage, with a guaranteed payout whenever the policyholder passes away.
- Decreasing Term Insurance: The payout decreases over time, often used to cover a mortgage as the balance reduces.
Critical Illness Cover
Pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or stroke, helping with treatment costs, living expenses, or recovery.
Income Protection Insurance
Replaces a portion of your income (usually up to 60-70%) if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. It provides regular payments until you return to work or reach retirement.
Family Income Benefit
Provides your family with regular, tax-free income payments if you die within the policy term, rather than a lump sum.
Mortgage Protection Insurance
Specifically designed to pay off the remaining mortgage if the policyholder passes away, ensuring your family won’t lose their home.Private Medical Insurance (Health Insurance)
Covers the cost of private healthcare, providing faster access to treatment and specialists not always available through the NHS.
Business Advice
As a business owner, you face enormous challenges, from managing daily operations and cash flow to caring for employees and navigating complex tax and legal requirements. Beyond that, you also need to think about the future—planning for growth, protecting the business from unexpected risks, and balancing personal financial goals with the demands of the company. We understand how overwhelming this can be, and we’re here to help you navigate these responsibilities, so you can focus on both your business and your family with confidence and peace of mind.
At Blue Sky Family Wealth Management, we’re here to support you. We’ll work closely with you and your trusted advisers, helping you navigate the complex financial decisions that come with owning a business. Our goal is to ensure your business not only thrives but also provides the financial independence and security you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
We offer advice and guidance in areas such as:
- Protection of shareholders and key employees
- Retirement planning and pensions
- Succession and inheritance tax (IHT) planning
- Corporate investments and Holding Companies
- Tax planning
We’re dedicated to providing clear, tailored advice that helps you safeguard both your business and your family’s future.
Estate and Generational Wealth Planning
Estate and generational wealth planning is about far more than minimising Inheritance Tax (IHT); it’s about safeguarding your family’s long-term well-being and thoughtfully passing down your values, legacy, and financial security. While leaving a large inheritance is often done with the best intentions, it can sometimes have unintended consequences. For some family members, the sudden influx of wealth, combined with the emotional impact of losing a loved one, can feel overwhelming and can sometimes be extremely damaging to them.
By planning carefully today, you can ensure your loved ones are supported in a way that protects their financial future while also fostering family unity. Thoughtful planning allows your wealth to contribute positively to their opportunities, education, and overall peace of mind. We work closely with you to create a comfortable, supportive space for these sensitive discussions, crafting a personalised plan that honours your intentions and offers clarity and care during times of transition, ensuring your family’s future is secure and nurtured.
Subjects in which we provide support for our clients include:
- Gifting
- Use of Trusts and Investment Solutions for Trustees
- Family Investment Companies
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Investing for IHT mitigation
- Investing for younger and less experienced family members.
Savings and Investments
Planning for savings and investments is one of the most empowering steps you can take for your future. By setting aside money thoughtfully, you’re building a financial cushion for unexpected challenges and creating opportunities for growth. Whether it’s for a rainy day, retirement, or a future goal like a home or education, a well-planned approach to saving and investing gives you greater peace of mind and ensures that you’re prepared for whatever life brings your way.
As an independent firm, we have the flexibility to source the most suitable investment solutions, while eliminating unnecessary costs. We believe that by actively managing asset allocation and taking a more passive approach to stock selection, we can maximise returns while keeping fees low. Where appropriate, we also integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and ethical considerations into our investment strategies, ensuring that your portfolio aligns with your values. This thoughtful approach not only seeks to enhance financial returns but also supports responsible investing, giving you a stronger opportunity to achieve your goals while making a positive impact.
Retirement Planning
Retirement planning can feel overwhelming for many in the UK, as it involves facing an uncertain future and making decisions that may seem far off. Balancing current expenses with saving for retirement can be especially difficult with the pressures of rising living costs, mortgages, and rent. Navigating options like workplace pensions, private pensions, and ISAs can also add confusion, particularly when trying to estimate how much will be needed in later life.
At Blue Sky Family Wealth Management, we understand these challenges. We’re here to guide you in creating a plan that brings you and your family peace of mind, financial security, and the confidence to enjoy life. It’s about protecting your future, while making the most of your “now”.
Financial Coaching
It is often said that people learn more from their mistakes than anything else. While this can be a valuable part of life, when it comes to finances, mistakes can be costly and hinder your ability to meet important goals. That’s why we offer financial coaching—to help you and your family learn from the experiences of others and avoid those pitfalls.
Financial coaching is a personalised and supportive process that helps you clarify your goals, develop practical money management skills, and build lasting financial confidence. By partnering with Blue Sky Family Wealth Management, you and your adult family members will receive tailored guidance and accountability in areas such as budgeting, debt reduction, saving, and investing. The benefits extend beyond financial knowledge—you’ll gain peace of mind, feel empowered to make confident decisions, and build healthy financial habits that can lead to long-term stability and success.
Our Approach
At our core, we’re not about finances—we’re about people. Our mission is to support you and your family with thoughtful, personalised financial planning and we happen to be very good at it.
As Independent Financial Advisers, our sole focus is on your welfare, not the interests of a large financial corporation. We’re dedicated to finding the best available investment opportunities and utilising advanced technology to help you achieve financial freedom and peace of mind.
We’re here for you whenever you need us—whether it’s about spending, saving, or any other financial concern. We believe in open communication and don’t charge for every interaction, so you can always reach out without worry.
If we believe another option might better meet your needs, we’ll be upfront about it and guide you toward the right resources. Building a strong, trusting relationship with you is our priority, and we promise to offer honest advice, even if it means lower fees for us.
High-value advice doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. We provide personalised guidance while minimising unnecessary investment costs, capping advice costs and linking family wealth to reduce charges.
We understand that caring for your family goes beyond wealth. Our Family Wealth Planning service is here to support not just you, but your loved ones as well. Through coaching and financial education, we aim to prepare them for their own financial futures, so you can enjoy life’s pleasures with a little more peace of mind.
Start your journey to financial happiness and peace of mind today.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation, and let’s discuss how we can help you and your family secure a brighter financial future.