Smiling man with brown hair wearing a beige shirt over a white t-shirt, sitting indoors with green plants and a window in the background.

Hi, I'm Ian Richards.

I help senior executives, equity partners and business owners work out if the money they've built is actually working for the life they want.

What I believe

01
Most people I speak to have done everything right. Good income. Pension somewhere. ISA ticking along. And absolutely no idea if it's enough because nobody has ever sat down & joined the full picture.
02
The conversation that changes everything isn't about money. It's when someone tells me what they actually want their life to look like. That's when the numbers start to mean something.
03
I don't believe in working hard now so you can enjoy life later. The plan should let you live well now and know the future is taken care of. Both. Not one or the other. That's the essence of my approach.
Smiling man with crossed arms wearing a black polo shirt with 'worktolive' logo, standing indoors with plants in the background.

I Spent Years Focusing on the Wrong Thing

I started in traditional financial services. Pensions, investments, products. Complete a fact find, assess the risk, recommend the policy.

Then I had a moment where I thought: there has to be more to this. That's when I discovered life-first financial planning and it changed everything.

The idea that you start with what a genuinely good life looks like, and then build the financial plan around that. Not the other way around.

I started Work to Live so the conversation could always begin in the right place.

Good coffee, all sport and the moment a client realises their future looks better than they thought. That's what I'm here for.

Built on Expertise. Back By Experience.

Chartered Financial Planner
Fellow of the PFS
Certified Coach
14+ Years Advising, 100+ Clients Helped
"Ian stood out because he really wanted to understand our goals in life and tailored the approach rather than just jumping straight into the standard money conversation."

Jon · Senior Executive
"Ian isn't in the business of selling financial products. He has the experience to look at your whole financial picture and work with you to identify what you need."

Ben · Business Owner
"My only regret? We should have got this advice 10 years earlier - it is really like seeing the future."

Caroline · Business Owner
"He has guided me through some challenging times but what is constant is the sound advice he offers, tailored to my specific circumstances."

Chris · Senior Executive

Giving Back

investing in the next generation.

paying it forward to community charities.

We're a lead sponsor for the Broomsfield Youth Project (BYP), who are a multi-award winning charity. As part of the local community, BYP aim to work in partnership with other agencies (such as police, high schools, leisure services, churches and local businesses) to signpost and support 13 to 17 year olds who want or need support with their emotional, behavioural or mental health needs.

Two men smiling and shaking hands outdoors in front of a wall with a Work to Live Financial Planning sign.
Black and tan dog lying on a brick patio with a garden and fence in the background.

for the love of dogs.

supporting you, and dogs, to build a better life.

It's important to us that we stand for more than just profits, and use the firms success to help causes close to our hearts. As a family of dog-lovers, our nominated charity - Dogs4Rescue - was a natural choice.

I highly recommend Ian if you’re looking for some financial advice. I’ve had a few financial advisors in the past but so glad we were referred to Ian who is definitely not your typical IFA and will no doubt remain ours for life.
Ian stood out because he really wanted to understand our goals in life and tailored the approach rather than just jumping straight into the bob standard money conversation.
I’ve come to really trust Ian and he is also a really nice bloke which makes all our interactions really good fun as well as productive.

Jon Senior Executive,

I'd recommend Ian to anyonewho is seeking advice on financial planning. He has guided me through somechallenging times but what is constant is the sound advice he offers, tailoredto my specific circumstances because of the time Ian gives to understanding myneeds. He has balanced what me and my family need today while laying thefoundations to support us later.

Chris, Senior Executive

Ian isn’t in the business of selling financial products. He has the experience and capabilities to look at your whole financial picture and work with you to identify what you need in place to meet your aims. I believe this makes his approach relatively unique and sets him apart from most financial advisors. I run an SME and I am delighted to work with Ian as he provides a holistic view and delivers simplicity.

Ben, Business Owner

“My only regret? We should have got this advice 10 years earlier – it is really like seeing the future. I cannot recommend Ian highly enough, whether it is tax efficiencies or financial planning, or even just a chat to see if he is right for you, I would suggest getting in touch. He understands the value of trust and relationships, and confidence and has a practical, no-nonsense approach and this fits perfectly with hard working business owners.”

Caroline, Business owner,

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