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InterestMe Financial Planning Limited went into administration on September 24, 2026. So did its appointed representative, InterestMe Advisers Limited. Robert Goodhew and Geoff Bouchier from Kroll Advisory Limited are now joint administrators for both firms.
Why It Matters
The collapse of InterestMe Financial Planning Limited and its representative firm highlights ongoing vulnerabilities within the financial advisory sector, particularly among firms linked to regulatory bodies like the FCA. This event serves as a reminder of the potential risks facing investors in a market where compliance issues can lead to significant operational disruptions, raising concerns about the stability and reliability of financial advisory services amidst evolving regulatory landscapes. Furthermore, the involvement of Kroll as administrators underscores the increasing scrutiny and oversight that may follow troubled firms in the wake of such collapses.
The collapse didn’t come out of nowhere. Back on July 24, 2026 — exactly two months before the administration date — IMFP had already agreed to a voluntary requirement that limited what it could do. That’s usually a warning sign. The FCA had authorized IMFP directly, while IMA operated as an appointed representative under that umbrella. Both firms offered financial planning services, along with advice on pensions and mortgages. Now Goodhew and Bouchier are running the show, working within insolvency law to manage what’s left of the firms’ affairs.
Not a small situation.
Where Client Money Actually Sits
Here’s something that probably matters most to customers right now: IMFP doesn’t hold client money or custody assets. Those sit with a separate regulated firm, one that’s still operating and still subject to protection rules. So the money isn’t technically inside the collapsed entity. That’s a meaningful distinction — it means clients aren’t staring at a total loss from the administration itself, at least not on that front.
But that doesn’t mean everything is fine. Clients are being told to update their contact details with the administrators and to start thinking seriously about who will manage their investments going forward. Without active management, the concern is that portfolios underperform. No one’s going to chase clients down to make those decisions for them.
For general financial guidance, MoneyHelper is available. It’s free. Customers who don’t know where to start are probably better off there than anywhere else right now.
Complaints are a different matter. Customers who have a claim against IMFP can pursue it, but the administrators are being upfront: full compensation is unlikely given the insolvency. The joint administrators will share more details on how complaints and claims will be handled. Anyone who already filed a complaint through the Ombudsman doesn’t need to do anything immediately — they’ll be contacted about next steps. But they can reach out to the Ombudsman directly if needed.
FSCS Role and the Fraud Warning
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme is getting involved. The FSCS will work alongside Goodhew and Bouchier to figure out what consumer protection steps come next and to assess which customers qualify for compensation. Eligibility criteria will be reviewed. Updates will go out as things develop.
And then there’s the fraud angle — which the administrators seem to be taking seriously.
Customers are being warned to watch for unsolicited calls from people claiming to represent IMFP, IMA, or Kroll Advisory Limited. That kind of impersonation scam is pretty common when a firm collapses and customer data is floating around. The advice is straightforward: verify any suspicious contact directly with the relevant parties before doing anything. Don’t assume a caller is who they say they are.
There’s also a warning about claims management companies and law firms that may approach customers offering to help recover assets. Those services usually come with fees, and those fees can eat into whatever a client eventually recovers. The administrators are recommending that clients talk to them first before signing up with any third-party outfit. It’s not that those services are always bad — it’s that the math often doesn’t work in the client’s favor, especially when recovery amounts are already uncertain.
The administrators are the official contact point. Direct communication with them is the safest route for anyone trying to understand their position.
Clients sitting on unresolved complaints or thinking about filing one should reach out to the joint administrators for guidance on how those will be processed through the insolvency. The FSCS and the administrators will coordinate on communicating updates — the goal, at least on paper, is to make sure people entitled to compensation actually get it.
It’s worth noting that the administration of both firms — IMFP and IMA together — puts the administrators in control of operations across the whole structure. Every activity has to comply with insolvency regulations from here on. That includes how claims are handled, how communications go out, and how assets are managed.
Customers who want to reach the joint administrators directly can do so. The administrators have taken control of IMFP and IMA as of September 24, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the joint administrators appointed to run InterestMe?
Robert Goodhew and Geoff Bouchier from Kroll Advisory Limited were appointed joint administrators for both InterestMe Financial Planning Limited and InterestMe Advisers Limited on September 24, 2026.
Is client money at risk from the InterestMe administration?
IMFP does not hold client money or custody assets directly — those are managed by a separate regulated firm — but full compensation from the FSCS may be unlikely given the firms’ insolvency.
