Meet the team

We’re a friendly, close-knit team based in Broadstairs, Kent — focused on giving clear, practical financial advice you can genuinely understand and trust.

James Brown

DipFA, CeMAP, CeRER

Director & Independent Financial Adviser

James is a Director and Independent Financial Adviser, helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions around their long-term financial planning.

Rob Brown

CeMAP, ACA

Director & Mortgage & Protection Adviser

Rob is a Director and Mortgage & Protection Adviser, supporting clients through home purchases, remortgages, and ensuring the right protection is in place.

Lucy Baron

Office Manager

Lucy keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes, supporting both advisers and clients throughout their journey.

Chrissie Swain

Admin & Marketing

Chrissie looks after administration and marketing, helping keep clients informed and everything organised.

A bit about us

We’re proud sponsors of Thanet Wanderers RFC — a club that holds a special place in our story. Our founder, Colin Brown, wasn’t just a player, but also a coach and lifelong supporter.

We’re now based on Broadstairs High Street and love being part of the local community — whether that’s helping clients plan for the future or chatting with familiar faces who pop in to say hello.

We strive to be the friendly, approachable, and accessible face of finance. No question is too small – we are here to listen, support, and guide you through every step of your financial journey.

Beyond finance, our office is home to football enthusiasts, though one of us is outnumbered 3:1 as the only Manchester United supporter in an office full of Arsenal fans – making for some lively debates!

Our mission is simple: to provide clear, dependable advice that genuinely makes a difference.

❤️ Colin

It’s impossible to talk about Need Financial Planning without mentioning Colin Brown. He built the foundations of trust, integrity, and genuine care that still guide us today.

His warmth, humour, and larger-than-life personality were at the heart of the firm, and we miss him dearly since his passing in January 2021.

His sons, Rob and James, have proudly carried his vision forward — growing the business and fulfilling his dream of a welcoming, community-focused office on Broadstairs High Street.

Well done boys — you’re making him, and all of us, incredibly proud.

Useful links

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

Need Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England and Wales no. 10901658. Registered office, 123 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1NQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need Financial Planning Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register https://register.fca.org.uk/ under reference 977136. If you wish to register a complaint, please write to [email protected] or telephone 01843 228800. A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.