Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority · FRN 146449
Ipswich, Suffolk 01473 408422
Independent · Suffolk · Since 1982

Forty‑three years of steady
counsel on the things
that matter most.

Woodward Markwell is an independent firm of financial advisers based in Ipswich. We help individuals, families and businesses across the UK plan with clarity — through every stage of life, every market cycle.

Woodward Markwell offices, Ipswich
Friars House, Ipswich
01What we do

Advice tailored to two distinct worlds.

Whether you're planning your retirement or your company's pension scheme, the principles are the same: clear thinking, careful structure, and advice that's genuinely independent of any product provider.

— 01 —

Personal Financial Advice

For individuals and families seeking long‑term clarity on their pensions, savings, retirement income and legacy.

  • Pension & retirement saving
  • At‑retirement advice
  • Savings & investments
  • Estate & trust planning
  • Protection & health
  • Inheritance tax
Explore personal advice
— 02 —

Corporate Financial Advice

For business owners, finance directors and HR leaders who need a partner for their workplace schemes and risk planning.

  • Workplace pensions
  • Auto‑enrolment
  • Employee benefits
  • Group risk schemes
  • Business protection
  • Director & key‑person cover
Explore corporate advice
02Why clients stay

Three things we have never compromised on.

Markets change. Regulations evolve. Products come and go. The traits clients value in us have been the same since 1982 — which is, perhaps, why so many of them are still with us.

i.

Accredited

We invest continually in our advisers' qualifications and professional standing. The quality of advice you receive is a direct function of the people giving it — so we put exceptional care into who joins our team.

ii.

Established

Founded in 1982 in Ipswich, we've quietly built a practice across more than four decades. Many of our clients have been with us for generations — children and grandchildren of those we first advised.

iii.

Personable

Our advisers know their clients by name, not number. You'll speak to the same person each time. Calls are returned the same day. It sounds old‑fashioned because, in a sense, it is.

"Good advice isn't a product. It's a relationship that compounds, quietly, over decades."
03How we work

A measured four‑step conversation.

i.
Listen

A complimentary first meeting. No pitch, no obligation — just questions, and the chance to talk through where you are and where you'd like to be.

ii.
Analyse

We map your existing arrangements against your objectives, look for gaps, inefficiencies and tax drag, and put numbers to your real options.

iii.
Recommend

Independent, evidence‑led recommendations in writing — explained in plain English. You decide what to act on and when.

iv.
Review

Plans are living things. Annual reviews keep yours aligned with markets, legislation and the changes in your own life.

04The people

Advisers you'll know by name.

A close‑knit team of Chartered and Independent Financial Advisers, paraplanners and client managers — based at Friars House and working across the UK. These are the people you'll speak to, year after year.

Davina Olson
Managing Director
Davina Olson
Chartered Financial Planner · FPFS, Cert CII (MP)
Jake Blackmore
Director
Jake Blackmore
Independent Financial Adviser · DipPFS, CeMAP
Rachel Fortescue
Director
Rachel Fortescue
DipPFS
Tom Crowther
Associate Director
Tom Crowther
Chartered Financial Planner · BA (Hons), FPFS

Plus a wider team of advisers, paraplanners, compliance specialists and administrators supporting every client relationship.

Meet the full team
Accredited & Regulated Trusted by professional bodies across the UK financial services industry.
Industry accreditations and regulatory bodies
05In their words

What clients say, after years of working together.

A selection of recent, unedited testimonials from clients across our personal and corporate practices.

"
A great and efficient service. The advice I received was completely tailored to my requirements and carried out in a friendly and professional manner. I would thoroughly recommend Woodward Markwell for pensions advice.
Mr G.Personal client
"
Over many years Woodward Markwell has provided a comprehensive and efficient service. Sharon is particularly helpful and always responds to queries quickly and effectively.
Long‑standing clientPersonal client
"
May I thank you personally for all your help and guidance this year — it's been a wonderful experience moving, retiring and taking up new pursuits. With you behind us we are confident we are in good hands financially.
Mr & Mrs M B.Hampshire
"
Really positive feedback from team members — they felt your presentation was accessible and clear, their questions were answered, and they understood the proposed pension change better as a result.
HR DirectorCorporate client
06Latest thinking

From our desk.

Regular notes from our advisers on the topics our clients are asking about — pensions, trusts, markets and the long view.

RetirementApril 2026

The case for a second look at your pension before retirement.

Read the briefing
07Get in touch

Begin with a complimentary conversation.

An initial meeting with one of our advisers is always without charge or obligation. Tell us a little about what you're hoping to achieve, and we'll arrange a time that suits — in person at Friars House, by phone, or by video.

Call 01473 408422
Direct contact
Telephone 01473 408422
Office Friars House,
2 Falcon Street,
Ipswich IP1 1SL
Hours Mon–Fri,
9:00 – 17:00