Meet Darren Baker – QED’s founder and principal adviser
With over 30 years in the financial sector, I’ve seen it all—from the inside of a major bank to the boardroom of a top 100 accountancy and financial services firm. In 1997, I took the leap and founded my own business, driven by a passion for helping people achieve the retirement lifestyle they’ve dreamed of (and deserve).
My approach is simple but powerful: build a structured financial plan and stick to an investment strategy that’s both effective and time-tested. No gimmicks—just solid, evidence-based advice.
I’m proud to be among a select group of advisers who hold both Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner qualifications. I’m also a Chartered Wealth Manager, with additional credentials in investment, pensions, taxation, legal matters, and trusts. This broad expertise allows me to take a holistic view of my clients’ financial lives—no narrow advice or one-size-fits-all solutions here.
As Chair of Evidence Based Investment Solutions, I collaborate with independent Financial Planning firms across the UK to promote academic, research-driven investing. I also wrote Your Financial Coach, a book for elite athletes that was nominated for the British Sports Book Awards in both 2014 and 2015—proof that financial planning can be sporty and smart.
My personal philosophy? It’s all about relationships, enrichment, and achievement. I believe happiness stems from the quality of our connections, that life’s too short not to chase what inspires you, and that everything tastes better with a side of accomplishment.
Outside of work, I’m a family man with three fantastic kids, living on a smallholding at the foot of the Mendip Hills. We share our space with a lively mix of pets and wildlife. I stay active, seek out challenges, and enjoy anything that’s a bit out of the ordinary.
And yes, I’m generally cheerful—unless you pack the dishwasher badly, dodge a direct question, or try to sell me something with a TV ad. Then, all bets are off.
Family is very important to me, as is getting the most out of life. I am married and have three great kids. My family and I are lucky enough to live in a smallholding at the bottom of the Mendip Hills, along with an assortment of pets and an abundance of wildlife.
Whilst generally a happy, go-lucky chap, my family and friends may point out, if pushed, that there are a few things that get me going. A few examples, from a long list, include insincerity, pessimists, the ‘herd mentality’, not answering the question, a poorly packed dishwasher, and most TV ads.
What our clients say:
Darren listens really well and takes the time to understand personal goals. His assessment of his clients attitude to risk is the best I have come across from an advisor and very thorough.
What Darren provides is a focus on a balanced portfolio, tuned to a level of risk tailored to your circumstances and objectives with investment funds that are not like vampires that drain away the value of your portfolio with high fees.
When my wife and I needed proper professional advice we looked at other IFAs and realised that…Darren was so far ahead of them in terms of research, seriousness, management backup and probity.
Our family has dealt with Darren for over 20 years, he has become a valued and trusted advisor. He offers strong and sound advice and explains everything in layman’s terms. Family businesses and investments are always delicate and can become quite emotive and controversial. Darren navigates his way through these discussions and listens to everyone’s concerns before offering sound solutions. He always follows through everything and does what he promises.
I was extremely worried about choosing an investment adviser, but having learnt more about QED’s service and having spoken to several existing clients, I felt confident QED were the right people for me.
We chose Darren specifically because…we preferred his approach of minimising the internal “tax” of high management costs. He has paid us ample attention…His explanations are clear, at the right level of detail, and he has inspired confidence. He has managed to avoid swamping us with unnecessary paperwork and we have a straightforward view of our investments which we can call up on the web whenever we want, all in one place. I have no hesitation in recommending Darren.