Professional Connections

Help your business owner clients protect what they've built

A specialist business protection partner for accountants, brokers, solicitors and financial planners.

You already advise on tax, finance, legal matters and wealth. I focus on one question that often falls between those conversations: what happens to the business if a key person dies or becomes seriously ill?

You keep the client relationship. I handle the protection advice.

Birmingham city centre skyline, where Alliance Advisory Services works with local professional advisers
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct AuthorityFCA No. 1034779
  • You keep the client relationship
  • Specialist business protection advice
  • FCA authorised and regulated
  • Updates only with your client's authority
  • No obligation for your client

One important area is often missed

Most professional advisers are brilliant at helping clients grow wealth, reduce tax, arrange finance, manage legal matters or protect physical assets.

The risks that sit between those conversations are easy to overlook: the loss of a key person, the death of a shareholder, a business loan that still has to be repaid, or a director who can't work for months.

Any one of them can cause immediate problems for trading, debt repayment, ownership, family security, shareholder control, staff confidence and the long-term future of the business.

A single unexpected event can threaten years of hard work.

Where business protection fits The business owner sits at the centre. Their accountant, broker, solicitor and financial planner each cover one area. Business protection covers what happens if a key person dies or falls seriously ill. Accountant Tax and accounts Broker Borrowing and finance Solicitor Legal and ownership Financial planner Wealth and pensions Business protection If a key person dies or falls seriously ill Your client's business
  • AccountantTax and accounts
  • BrokerBorrowing and finance
  • SolicitorLegal and ownership
  • Financial plannerWealth and pensions
  • Business protectionIf a key person dies or falls seriously ill
Each adviser covers their own area. Protection is the piece that's often missing.

When to introduce a client

If your clients own companies, employ key people, hold commercial borrowing, have shareholders, give personal guarantees or rely heavily on one or two people, a business protection review may be valuable. These are the moments it most often comes up.

  • A client takes on commercial borrowing
  • A director gives a personal guarantee
  • There are two or more shareholders or partners
  • A new shareholder or partner joins the business
  • One person drives most of the revenue or operations
  • The business has no succession plan
  • A director wants life cover paid for by the company
  • There's no protection in place, or it hasn't been reviewed for years

What you might notice in your own work

  • AccountantsA company owned by two or three directors, with no plan for what happens to the shares if one of them dies.
  • Mortgage and commercial finance brokersNew commercial borrowing, often backed by a director's personal guarantee.
  • SolicitorsA shareholder or partnership agreement that sets out who buys the shares, but not how they'll pay for them.
  • Financial plannersA client whose personal wealth depends on the value of a business they can't easily replace.
  • Commercial insurance brokersA business with its property and liabilities insured, but nothing in place for the people who run it.
  • Business advisersA growing business that relies heavily on the founder or one key member of staff.

How an introduction works

The process is simple, professional and designed to protect your relationship with the client.

  1. You spot a possible need

    A business owner may have borrowing, shareholders, key staff, personal guarantees, partnership arrangements or no protection plan in place.

  2. You introduce the client

    Make a simple email introduction or, once your client has agreed, ask me to contact them directly.

  3. I carry out the review

    I discuss the business, ownership structure, debts, key people, current cover and the impact of death, serious illness or long absence.

  4. I provide the advice

    Where there's a need, I explain the options clearly and recommend suitable protection. Where there isn't, I'll say so.

  5. I keep you informed

    Where your client has authorised it, you receive updates on progress while they get specialist support through to implementation.

Your client. Your relationship. Their decision.

I only contact a client who has agreed to hear from me, and I only update you where they've authorised it.

Your client relationship stays yours

You've built that trust over years. My role is to add specialist support, not to interfere with your core adviser relationship.

  • Contact only with your client's agreement. I only contact your client once they've agreed to their details being shared with me and to hearing from me. I confirm this with them when we first speak.
  • Protection only. I advise on protection. Your role as their accountant, broker, solicitor or planner stays exactly as it is.
  • Updates with your client's authority. Where your client has authorised it, I'll keep you informed from introduction to outcome.
  • No pressure. I speak to your client professionally, clearly and without pressure. The decision is always theirs.
  • Regulated advice. Advice, documentation, administration and compliance are handled by Alliance as an FCA authorised and regulated firm.

Why professionals introduce clients to Alliance

This isn't about being pushy. It's about helping business owners consider risks that could have serious consequences for the people and businesses they care about.

  • Client-first approach

    The purpose of every conversation is to identify protection gaps and give suitable advice, not to sell a product.

  • Specialist focus

    Business protection is what we do. I understand the risks facing directors, shareholders, partners and business owners.

  • Clear communication

    You know your client has been looked after properly, and they understand exactly what they're buying and why.

  • Professional standards

    Every recommendation is documented and handled in line with FCA rules.

  • Relationship protection

    We respect the trust you've built. You stay your client's adviser in your own field.

  • Practical outcomes

    Your client comes away with greater clarity about how to protect the business, family, shareholders, employees and income.

Common questions

Will you contact my client without their agreement?

No. I only contact a client once they've agreed to their details being shared with me and to being contacted, and I confirm that agreement with them when we first speak. If you'd rather make the introduction yourself by email, that works just as well.

Will you keep me updated?

Only where your client has authorised it. I ask them at our first conversation whether they're happy for you to receive updates, and I respect their answer.

What does the review involve?

I talk to your client about the business, its ownership, any borrowing, the key people it relies on and any cover already in place. Then I explain what would happen if one of those people died, became seriously ill or couldn't work for a long period, and whether protection would help.

Is there a cost or obligation for my client?

The initial conversation is free and there's no obligation. If your client decides to go ahead with a recommendation, the cost of any policy is explained clearly before anything is arranged.

What if my client already has protection in place?

I can review existing cover to check it still matches the business as it is today, for example after growth, new borrowing or a change in shareholders.

Can I talk it through with you before introducing anyone?

Yes. Call me on 0121 663 0171 or book a call. Many introductions start with a quick conversation about whether a review is likely to be useful.

Introduce a client

Use this form to introduce a business owner who may benefit from a business protection review.

Please only introduce a client who has agreed to you sharing their details with me and to being contacted. I'll review the details and be in touch to discuss next steps. If you'd prefer to talk first, call me or book a time that suits you.

Des Richards
Alliance Advisory Services
Business Protection Specialists

Your details

The client you're introducing

Client permission: By submitting this introduction, you confirm that your client has agreed to their contact details being shared with Alliance Advisory Services and to being contacted about a protection review. Please do not include sensitive personal or medical information in this form.

We'll email you to confirm we've received the introduction. Your details will only be used to respond to this enquiry.

Start a professional conversation

If you work with business owners and would like a trusted specialist partner to support your clients, I'd be pleased to have a conversation.