How AES International Supports Expats with Cross-Border Financial Advice
AES International Expat Financial Advice
If you’re a British expat living abroad or planning to retire overseas, managing your finances can quickly become complicated.
Pensions, tax rules, inheritance, and investments all start to look very different once you’re outside the UK.
That’s where AES International comes in.
As someone who has been with AES for 16 years, I’ve seen firsthand how the firm helps clients make sense of complex cross-border situations — bringing clarity, confidence, and control to expat finances.
Why Cross-Border Financial Advice Matters
Most financial advice is designed for people living and working in one country. But expats often have financial footprints in several places — a UK pension, savings in another currency, property in one country, and perhaps a spouse from another.
Without proper planning, this mix can lead to:
- Unnecessary tax bills
- Poorly timed pension withdrawals
- Currency mismatches
- Inheritance complications
- Missed investment opportunities
Cross-border financial advice exists to prevent those problems and ensure every part of your financial life works together — wherever you live.
How AES International Helps Expats
AES International was built specifically to serve internationally mobile people. The firm’s structure, technology, and regulatory setup all support cross-border clients in a way that local advisers often can’t.
Here’s how it works in practice:
1. Regulation and Oversight
AES operates under strong regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. That means your financial advice is properly governed and compliant wherever you live — giving you peace of mind that your plan meets recognised standards.
2. Fee-Based, Transparent Advice
One of the biggest improvements AES brought to the expat advice industry was moving away from commissions. Clients receive clear, fee-based advice where recommendations are made purely in their best interests — not to sell products.
3. Specialist Cross-Border Planning
AES advisers (like me) work daily with expats who have assets in more than one country. That includes:
- UK pension transfers and drawdown strategies
- Retirement income planning across multiple tax systems
- Estate and inheritance planning for mixed-nationality couples
- Currency and investment structure alignment
This joined-up approach helps clients avoid double taxation, structure their income efficiently, and pass wealth to the next generation without unnecessary complexity.
4. Long-Term Relationship, Not a Quick Sale
Financial planning for expats isn’t a one-time exercise — it’s a long-term relationship.
At AES, clients work directly with their adviser, supported by the firm’s infrastructure, compliance, and client service team.
That balance of personal attention and professional oversight is one of AES’s biggest strengths.
Case Study: From Confusion to Clarity
Background
One of my clients, Charles, had been working overseas for over 20 years, most recently in Saudi Arabia. As he approached retirement, he planned to return to the UK and wanted to make sure everything was in order before the move.
The Challenge
Like many long-term expats, Charles wasn’t sure how his various pensions, investments, and overseas savings would be treated once he became UK-resident again. The complexity of managing cross-border finances made it difficult to know where to start.
The Solution
Through AES, we created a full transition plan that covered:
- How and when to draw income
- Foreign Income Gains (FIG) opportunities
- Tax efficiency for repatriated assets
- Currency alignment and estate planning
The Outcome
The result? A simple, compliant, and tax-efficient structure that gives Charles confidence for his return to the UK — without stress or surprises.
What Makes AES International Different
Having worked in this profession for nearly 30 years, I’ve seen a lot of expat financial advice firms come and go. What makes AES stand out is its focus on professionalism, transparency, and structure.
AES isn’t about chasing “hot” investments or speculative products. It’s about providing expats with the same standard of regulated, ethical financial planning they’d expect in the UK — no matter where they live.
Who Benefits Most from AES’s Approach
AES International works particularly well for:
- British expats with pensions or assets in multiple countries
- Mixed-nationality couples needing joined-up estate planning
- Returning expats moving back to the UK after years abroad
- People planning retirement overseas who want to make sure they do things right
If you have multiple financial ties across borders, AES can help you make everything work together efficiently — legally, tax-smart, and clearly.
My Takeaway After 16 Years
After 16 years at AES, I can confidently say that proper cross-border financial advice changes lives.
When people understand how all their finances fit together — pensions, tax, estate, investments, and currency — they stop worrying about “what if” and start focusing on what matters most: enjoying life.
If you’re an expat or planning a move abroad and want to make sure your finances are properly structured, I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned from helping clients all over the world.
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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.
