AES International Review: My Perspective as a Chartered Financial Planner
AES International Review
If you’ve found this page, chances are you’re researching AES International and trying to determine whether it’s a good fit for your financial planning needs.
There’s a lot of information online about AES — some positive, some critical. But what’s often missing is a first-hand view from someone who actually works within the firm and has done so for a long time.
I’m Ross Naylor, a UK Chartered Financial Planner and Expat Financial Advice Specialist, and I’ve worked with AES International for 16 years, making me the firm’s longest-serving adviser.
This article isn’t an advert. It’s simply my personal review of AES International from the inside — what it stands for, how it operates, and who it suits best.
Who Are AES International?
AES International are a global financial advice firm focused on expatriates and internationally mobile clients.
Founded in 2004, AES set out to improve standards in what was, frankly, a poorly regulated and product-driven expat advice industry.
Rather than pushing commissions or offshore investments, AES moved towards a fee-based, professional planning model — much closer to how financial advice works in the UK.
Fast forward to today, and AES continues to operate within strong international regulatory frameworks, giving clients the reassurance that their advice is delivered to consistent, high-quality standards.
My Experience Working with AES International
When I joined AES back in 2009, the firm was already challenging the old way of doing things.
Most expat advisers at that time were paid by commission, which often led to short-term sales rather than long-term planning. AES was different; it was building a model based on transparency, professionalism, and independence.
That’s what drew me in, and it’s why I’ve stayed for over 16 years.
During that time, I’ve advised dozens of clients across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia — many of whom are British expats approaching retirement or mixed-nationality couples with complex financial arrangements.
How AES International Delivers Financial Advice
From a client’s perspective, AES combines modern technology with traditional advice.
You get the structure and security of a large, well-regulated firm, with the personal relationship of working directly with your adviser.
Here’s what that typically means in practice:
- Independent, fee-based advice — clear, agreed costs with no hidden commissions
- Regulated across multiple jurisdictions — offering security and peace of mind
- Globally accessible service — you can live in Riyadh, London, or Warsaw and still receive consistent support
- Long-term planning focus — not just product selection
Clients work directly with their adviser (like me), while AES provides the regulatory, compliance, and administrative framework behind the scenes.
Who AES International Works Best For
AES International is best suited to:
- British expats living overseas or planning to return to the UK
- Mixed-nationality couples dealing with multiple tax or pension systems
- Individuals with UK pensions, investments, or inheritance considerations
- Clients who value a transparent, fee-based relationship rather than product sales
Case Study: Charles – A Returning Expat Planning for Retirement
Background
Charles, aged 61, has spent more than two decades living and working overseas, most recently in Saudi Arabia. With retirement on the horizon, he planned to return to the UK and wanted to make sure his finances were properly structured before the move.
The Challenge
Like many long-term expats, Charles wanted to take advantage of opportunities such as Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) treatment while avoiding common tax pitfalls that can arise when returning to the UK. He needed clarity on how his pensions, investments, and overseas income would be treated once he became UK-resident again.
The Solution
Through AES International, I worked with Charles to develop a detailed transition plan. We mapped out:
- How and when to draw income from his pensions
- Tax efficiency and timing for repatriated assets
- How to align his investments and currency exposure
- Inheritance and estate considerations upon return
🔗 Moving back to the UK? Find out what the new FIG rules mean for you
The Outcome
Today, Charles has a clear, compliant, and tax-efficient financial structure in place for his return to the UK. He now feels confident, organised, and ready to enjoy his retirement without the uncertainty many expats face during repatriation.
This case demonstrates how AES International’s global infrastructure supports truly joined-up, cross-border financial advice — simplifying complex transitions and giving clients peace of mind wherever life takes them.
Strengths of AES International
After 16 years inside the firm, here’s what I believe AES does well:
- ✔️ Professional standards – a focus on qualifications, regulation, and ethics.
- ✔️ Transparency – clear fees and avoidance of commission-driven sales.
- ✔️ Global reach – regulated in multiple countries, serving expats worldwide.
- ✔️ Client continuity – stability for long-term relationships (many of my clients have worked with me for well over a decade).
- ✔️ Technology – secure client portals, digital communication, and efficient reporting.
Areas to Consider
No firm is perfect, and AES International is no exception.
Working with a regulated international firm like AES means there can be a bit more paperwork and formal procedure, but that’s also what helps protect clients and ensures everything is done properly.
AES also focuses on affluent clients with complex needs, so it may not be the right fit for everyone.
My Overall View
After nearly three decades as a financial adviser, and 16 of those within AES International, I can confidently say it’s one of the most professionally run firms in the international advice space.
It’s not a “quick fix” or a sales operation. It’s a modern, transparent, and regulated environment designed for clients who want proper financial planning across borders.
If you’re researching AES International financial advice, I hope this review gives you a clearer, more personal view from someone who’s lived and breathed it for over a decade and a half.
And if you’d like to understand what it’s really like to work with AES — from an adviser who’s been here since 2009 — I’d be happy to share my experience.
Related Reading:
❓ 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.
