Henry Shefflin opens new business with Richie O’Neill in Kilkenny

A new locally-owned financial planning firm, Shefflin O’Neill, has opened it’s doors in Kilkenny this week, led by directors Henry Shefflin and Richie O’Neill.

Based at Talbots Inch on the Freshford Road, Shefflin O’Neill will focus on providing planning-led, financial advice to business owners, professionals and families, with a strong emphasis on trust, integrity and long-term relationships.

Local roots, professional focus

Although the Shefflin name needs no introduction in Kilkenny sporting circles, the new venture is firmly positioned as a high-calibre, professional financial planning firm built on the trust of it’s clients.

Co-founder Richie O’Neill, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with more than 20 years’ experience in the sector, has spent the last two decades working with Zurich, specialising in the complex areas of pensions and retirement planning.

“We’ve both seen first-hand how complex the financial world has become for ordinary people,” says Richie.

“Between pensions, tax, investments and inheritance, it’s very easy for clients to feel overwhelmed. Our job is to simplify that, build a clear plan and stay with clients over the long term. Everyone needs a financial plan but people don’t know where to start”

Richie holds a BSc in Finance, an MBA, is QFA qualified and also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and is recognised for his work on retirement planning and pension strategy for company directors and families.

Co-founder Henry Shefflin, well known for his achievements on the hurling field, has built a professional career in financial services, working in business development, commercial lending and customer relationship management roles with Bank of Ireland for more than 20 years.

“Our aim is to build a local business based on the same standards and values that have proven successful both in sporting and business teams – that’s preparation, honesty, hard work and teamwork," says Henry.

“Clients aren’t looking for short cuts. They want someone they can trust to give straight answers and stand over the advice. That’s exactly what we want Shefflin O’Neill to be known for.”

Henry has a degree in Financial Services, is a Qualified Financial Adviser (QFA) and has extensive experience working with SMEs and professionals on corporate finance and banking needs, which now feeds directly into the firm’s advice offering for business owners and company directors.

The SON Life Plan – Strategise. Organise. Navigate.

At the heart of the new firm’s approach is its proprietary planning framework, the SON Life Plan – an acronym for Strategise, Organise, Navigate.

Rather than starting with products, the SON Life Plan begins with the client’s life: their family, business, cashflow, goals and concerns. From there, the firm builds a coherent strategy across four core pillars:

• Pensions – planning, funding and structuring retirement income
• Protection – life cover, income protection and business continuity planning
• Investments – medium and long-term regulated investment strategies and portfolio design
• Legacy – passing on wealth and planning for inheritance in a structured way

“We want clients to feel that everything is joined up,” explains Richie.

“Your pension, your savings, your business, your protection policies – they all interact. The SON Life Plan is about putting a framework around that, so we’re not just selling a pension or a policy; we’re building a plan to best serve your future.”

When it comes to implementing your plan, we only recommend and use regulated products from authorised providers. We do not advise on unregulated or speculative investments.

That is a deliberate choice – our focus is on solutions that sit within the Irish regulatory framework and are aligned with long-term security for you and your family.

A planning partner for business owners and families

Shefflin O’Neill will work with a broad range of clients, but the 2 directors see a particular need among:

• Business owners and company directors, who often have complex decisions around salary vs dividends, company versus personal wealth, pensions and eventual exit planning.
• Professionals and executives, who may have multiple legacy pensions, share schemes and benefits but no single, cohesive plan.
• Families, who want to protect income, provide for children’s education and plan for retirement while managing mortgages and day-to-day costs.

“Kilkenny and the South East has a huge number of business owners and professionals who are busy doing their day job,” says Henry.

“They don’t necessarily have the time or headspace to step back and ask, ‘Are we actually on track?’ That’s where we come in – as a planning partner with the tools to provide real solutions.”

Trust and integrity at the core

Both directors are clear that trust and integrity will be the cornerstone of the new business.

“We have a genuine drive to help clients achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their families. We want to be there to guide them through each stage of that journey," says Richie.

“We’re putting everything into building a client first, long term relationship approach to dealing with our clients. We are looking forward to dealing with customers and providing clear and understandable solutions” adds Henry.

How to get in touch

Clients can get in touch via:

• Website: www.shefflinoneill.ie
• Email: info@shefflinoneill.ie

The directors will be meeting clients by appointment and expect demand to come from both long-standing contacts and new enquiries.

“We’re excited to bring something genuinely planning-led to Kilkenny,” Richie concludes. “If someone wants a quick second opinion on their existing arrangements or a full financial planning review, we’re here to help.”

“For us, this is about building a trusted local firm that will be here for the long term,” says Henry.

“We’re looking forward to getting started.”

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