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Trust

An introduction is only worth making if the firm on the other side deserves it. Every specialist is checked by a person, against the same standard, before it can receive a single introduction. This page sets out exactly what that standard is.

The checks

01

Regulatory register verification

We confirm the firm holds current authorisation on its regulator’s public register before anything else is considered. The specialists we introduce operate under recognised frameworks: the Mauritius Financial Services Commission, the Insurance Companies Control Service (ICCS) in Cyprus, CySEC under MiFID II for applicable investment services, US investment adviser registration where relevant, and ASIC in Australia. US registration does not imply a certain level of skill or education.

02

Scope of permissions

Authorisation is not generic. We check that the firm’s permissions actually cover the service a client would be introduced for: insurance brokerage and investment services are separate authorisations, and a firm only receives introductions inside its permitted scope.

03

Jurisdiction and residency fit

The firm must be able to serve clients in the country where the client actually lives. Nationality and residency restrictions are respected: a US person, for example, is only ever matched with a specialist who works with US persons.

04

Cross-border track record

We look for a demonstrable record of advising clients with multi-jurisdiction complexity, not domestic clients with occasional overseas exposure. Professional qualifications held across the network include CISI, LIBF, and Series 65.

05

Compliance culture

We assess how the firm treats disclosure, documentation, and product selection. We look for firms that treat compliance as a standard, not a formality. No grey-area products, no aggressive sales culture.

06

Standing at the point of introduction

Vetting is not a one-off certificate. Before an introduction is made, we check the firm’s authorisation is still current. An introduction only goes to a firm in good standing at the time it is made.

Ongoing standard

We do not work with every adviser who asks, and passing the checks once does not buy a permanent place. A firm receives no further introductions if any of the following happens:

  • Its regulatory authorisation lapses, is suspended, or is restricted.
  • Client feedback raises concerns we cannot resolve.
  • Its sales conduct or product selection falls below the standard described above.

Who does what

  1. You

    Tell us your situation

    You submit a short brief: your location, your situation, what needs resolving.

  2. Pharos

    Reviews and introduces

    A person reads your submission, checks fit and eligibility, and makes one deliberate introduction. Pharos never holds your money and never gives advice.

  3. Regulated specialist

    Assesses and delivers the advice

    The specialist engages with you directly, assesses your circumstances, and delivers regulated advice. The advice relationship is entirely between you and them.

  4. Product provider

    Holds the assets

    Where a plan involves a product, the provider or custodian holds the assets under its own regulatory framework. Pharos is never in that chain.

The house rule behind the diagram: Pharos organises and introduces, the regulated specialist assesses and delivers the advice, and the product provider or custodian holds the assets. Money never passes through Pharos, and nothing here is financial advice. See how it works.

Good to know

Vetting, answered

Are the specialists Pharos introduces regulated?

Yes. Every specialist firm in the network is authorised under a recognised regulatory framework for its jurisdiction and service type, and we do not make introductions outside of this. Regulatory standing is the first criterion and the non-negotiable one.

More about Pharos
Does vetting mean Pharos endorses the advice a specialist gives?

No. Vetting covers regulatory standing, permissions, jurisdiction fit, experience, and conduct standards. The advice itself is the specialist’s regulated responsibility, and the advice relationship is entirely between you and them. Pharos is an introducer only and does not provide financial advice.

How introductions work
Can a firm be removed from the network?

Yes. A firm receives no further introductions if its authorisation lapses or is restricted, if client feedback raises concerns we cannot resolve, or if its conduct falls below the standard we vet for.

How do I check a specialist myself?

Every regulator named on this page maintains a public register. When you are introduced, you are told which firm the introduction is to, and we would always encourage checking the firm’s entry on its regulator’s register before engaging.

Tell us your situation and, if the fit is right, we make one deliberate introduction to a specialist who has passed every check on this page.

Request Introduction

We review every submission before any introduction is considered.