Why I’ve Chosen to Work with AES International for 16 Years as a Financial Adviser
AES International Adviser
When people search online for AES International and financial advice, what they really want is to understand the people behind the name.
I’m Ross Naylor, a UK Chartered Financial Planner and Pension Transfer Specialist. I’ve worked with AES International for 16 years, making me the longest-serving adviser at the company.
And while that’s a milestone I’m proud of, it also says something deeper — that AES International is a place where clients and advisers can build truly long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and shared values.
Here’s my story, and what I’ve learned about what makes AES different.
This article reflects my personal experience as an AES International adviser over 16 years. It’s written to help people researching AES International financial advice understand what it’s like to work with a Chartered Financial Planner inside the firm.
Who Are AES International?
AES International is a global financial advice firm that helps expatriates make smarter decisions with their money.
You can learn more about the firm on the AES International website.
What first attracted me — and what still keeps me here — is their commitment to doing things the right way:
- Independent, fee-based advice (not driven by commissions)
- Strong regulatory standards across multiple jurisdictions
- A digital-first model that makes life easier for expats
- A genuine focus on transparency and client outcomes
The expat financial advice industry has evolved dramatically over the past 20 years. AES International was one of the first firms to challenge the old commission-led culture and introduce professional, regulated financial planning to the international market.
That’s the kind of environment where I knew I could do my best work.
My Journey with AES International
When I joined AES International back in 2009, I’d already spent more than a decade advising clients across borders.
I wanted to work with a firm that shared my values — doing things properly, putting clients first, and building advice around people, not products.
Sixteen years later, that’s still what keeps me here.
Over the years, I’ve seen clients through every stage of life — from selling their business and retiring abroad, to helping the next generation with inheritance and cross-border estate planning. Many of them have since become friends.
That continuity and trust are what I value most about my profession.
Why I’ve Stayed at AES for 16 Years
In the expat advice industry, advisers often move from firm to firm. That can be unsettling for clients trying to plan decades ahead.
I’ve chosen to stay with AES because:
- The firm’s values have remained consistent — client-first, professional, transparent.
- I have the infrastructure and tools I need to deliver exceptional advice.
- My clients benefit from the stability of a relationship that endures.
In an industry known for turnover, that continuity sets us apart.
My Role as a Financial Adviser at AES International
I specialise in helping:
- British expats approaching retirement
- Mixed-nationality couples planning their future
- International clients with UK pension, inheritance, or estate-planning complexities
Most of my work involves cross-border planning — helping clients make sense of pensions, investments, and taxation when life spans multiple countries.
As a Chartered Financial Planner (the highest professional qualification in the UK), I combine technical expertise with almost 30 years of experience.
AES International provides the global framework that allows me to serve clients wherever life takes them.
🔗 Why work with a Chartered Financial Planner?
Why Longevity Matters in Financial Advice
Financial advice isn’t about quick wins — it’s about building and maintaining a plan that lasts.
Clients deserve to know their adviser will still be there in five, ten, or twenty years. Continuity creates confidence, especially when dealing with complex cross-border financial situations.
That’s one reason my 16 years with AES International matter. Clients know I’ll be there to see their plans through, not just set them up.
Case Study: Helping a Returning Expat Plan a Smooth Transition
Background
Recently, I began working with Charles, a 61-year-old Brit who’s been living and working overseas for the past 23 years. He’s currently based in Saudi Arabia and plans to return to the UK within the next 12 months to retire.
Challenge
Like many long-term expats, Charles wanted to make sure his finances were in order before the move — to make the most of the opportunities available and to avoid the common pitfalls that can catch returning expats off guard.
Approach
We started by reviewing his pensions and investments, mapping out how each would be treated once he became UK-resident again. We discussed options such as Foreign Income Gains (FIG) treatment, timing asset sales, and ensuring his income streams would be tax-efficient and sustainable under the UK regime.
We also explored inheritance tax exposure, currency alignment, and how to simplify his structures for life back in the UK. The goal was to create a clear, practical plan that would make his transition home financially seamless.
Outcome
Today, Charles has a defined roadmap for returning to the UK — confident he’ll be compliant, tax-efficient, and ready to enjoy retirement on his own terms.
That kind of forward-thinking, cross-border planning is where I spend much of my time, and it’s exactly the type of work AES International’s global framework supports so well.
🔗 My post on the new tax rules affecting expats returning to the UK
Why Clients Choose to Work with Me (and AES)
Here’s how the relationship works in practice:
- Clients work directly with me — I handle their planning personally.
- AES provides the infrastructure — regulation, compliance, and back-office support.
This combination delivers both the human connection and the institutional stability clients need when managing wealth internationally.
Every client I work with speaks directly to me — no call centres, no handoffs.
I take the time to understand what’s truly important to them, whether that’s maintaining family ties with the UK, funding a retirement abroad, or ensuring their estate passes efficiently to loved ones.
Is AES International the Right Financial Adviser for You?
If you’re researching AES International financial advice, you’re likely trying to decide whether we’re the right fit.
In my experience, AES International is particularly well-suited to:
- Long-term expats
- Couples facing cross-border retirement or estate planning challenges
- Those seeking long-term, fee-based financial advice rather than product-driven solutions
It may not be the right firm for everyone, but if you value professional, transparent advice from an experienced adviser who understands expat life, it’s worth a conversation.
If you’re researching international financial advice and AES International in particular, you may find it helpful to read more about the firm’s global approach on the AES International website.
Final Thoughts – and How to Get in Touch
If you’ve found this while researching AES International and want to understand what it’s really like to work with us, please get in touch.
Sixteen years here means I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and how to make international financial planning simpler, safer, and more personal.
Feel free to reach out — I’d be happy to share my experience and help you explore your options.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions About AES International
Is AES International a good financial adviser?
AES International is one of the few expat-focused firms that operates on a fee-based, transparent model rather than commissions. They’re known for their strong regulatory standards and client-centred approach. I’ve worked with AES for 16 years because I believe their structure and philosophy genuinely put clients first.
Is AES International regulated?
Yes. AES International is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK and Dubai. Regulation ensures that client money is protected and that advice follows professional, compliant standards.
Who does AES International work with?
AES primarily serves expatriates and internationally mobile professionals. Many clients are British nationals living overseas, mixed-nationality couples, or individuals planning cross-border retirements.
What makes AES International different from other expat advice firms?
The key difference is their fee-based, fiduciary approach. AES International moved away from commission-driven product sales long before most international firms did. They focus on professional advice, global regulation, and long-term relationships.
What type of financial advice does AES International provide?
AES International helps expat clients with:
- Pension and retirement planning
- Investment advice and portfolio management
- Cross-border tax and estate planning
- Inheritance and succession advice
How long has AES International been established?
AES International was founded in 2004 and has grown into one of the most established names in expat financial planning. I joined in 2009 and have been with the firm ever since.
What is Ross Naylor’s role within AES International?
Ross Naylor is a Chartered Financial Planner and Expat Financial Advice Specialist working with AES International. He specialises in helping British expats and mixed-nationality couples plan their retirement, manage pensions, and structure their estates tax-efficiently across borders.
Why is adviser continuity important in financial advice?
Financial advice is about long-term planning, not just setting things up, but reviewing and adjusting them over many years. When advisers change frequently, that continuity is lost. I’ve stayed with AES for 16 years so my clients can have consistency and stability in their planning.
How do clients work with you and AES International?
Clients work with me directly for advice, while AES provides the regulatory and operational support behind the scenes. That combination offers the personal attention of an experienced adviser and the security of a globally regulated firm.
How can I find out if AES International is right for me?
The best way is to have a conversation. If you’re an expat or planning to retire abroad and want professional, regulated advice, I’d be happy to help you explore whether AES International is the right fit. You can contact me here.
About the Author
Ross Naylor is a UK Chartered Financial Planner and Expat Financial Advice Specialist. He has worked with AES International for 16 years and is the firm’s longest-serving adviser. Ross helps British expats and mixed-nationality couples navigate complex cross-border retirement and estate planning challenges.
Talk to an Expert
Ross is a qualified Chartered Financial Planner and Pension Transfer Specialist.
He has been a cross-border financial adviser for 25 years and specialises in helping British expats manage their finances with clarity and peace of mind.
If you would like to have a no strings chat with him, please get in touch.
