Our founder Francesca ‘Frankie’ Smith has reached her £250,000 target first round seed funding for her new wealth management firm, FSWM.
At just 29, the female-founder is delighted to secure enterprise investment scheme funding, backed by three angel investors.
After seven years as a strategic Financial Planner in the City of London, Frankie realised the market was ready for a shake-up. It needed more women and a more dynamic offering, so the industry would appeal and serve a much wider audience.
She says: “Clients want a lot more from their financial adviser than a couple of reviews each year. They want to be part of something bigger, a community that is engaged and connected.”
Frankie decided to change things around and launch a firm that provides regulated advice to everyone from entrepreneurs to professionals and families. But FSWM is not just a female focused firm. It is open to everybody, whatever stage they are at in their financial life, with an aim to champion women at its core.
Frankie adds: “It is tough for all new founders to get investment in the current financial climate and especially women. Seed funding is at its lowest rate since 2016, so it feels good to have people believe in what I am offering. I am very grateful to my angel investors for their investment and support. With their help I have achieved my funding target, and I can now get my venture off the ground and help move the financial advice sector forward.”
Darren Carter, Board Member at Peel Hunt Investment Bank and FSWM’s lead investor, says: “ I am excited to be investing in Frankie’s new venture as she is exactly what the financial advice industry needs, a very impressive young women that has great passion to make a really positive difference for her clients with fresh and innovative ideas.”
Entrepreneur and businessman Steve Doyle says: “For me investing in FSWM isn’t just about financial returns; it’s about backing a young visionary leader. With the dynamic energy and unwavering focus of Frankie Smith, this company embodies the future of financial advice. Here’s to supporting innovation and empowering a new generation of investors.”
The third angel investor is Nick Atherton, Managing Partner at Morphose Capital, who says: “FSWM brings expertise, energy and a fresh business model to the financial advisory marketplace. FSWM’s wealth management and financial service offerings are underpinned by high-end informative events that build a sense of community and exceptional levels of client satisfaction and engagement. I’m really pleased to be part of FSWM’s journey and have every confidence that with its founder Frankie at the helm with her drive, energy and phenomenal black book of contacts, it’ll enjoy a highly successful future.”
Clients at FSWM get free access to Frankie’s, a successful networking community launched by Frankie. This offers a regular programme of social events where they can be inspired, connect with likeminded people, collaborate and engage with finance, as well as build financial knowledge and the confidence to be bolder.
Says Frankie: “I want to make the industry accessible to a much wider audience. To shake things up and empower my clients, help them to be connected with their finances and confident to make the decisions that are right for them.”
For further information on FSWM go to: www.fswm.uk
Media Contacts:
Paul Smith Associates: Tricia Phillips: Tel: +44 (0) 7790 014096; email: tricia@paulsmithassociates.co.uk
Note to Editors: Frankie Smith is available for interview by contacting PSA