Dean grew up in South Africa, where sport wasn't just a hobby but a way of life, and he played football and rugby to a competitive level. Then, at eighteen, he lost a parent — the kind of moment that sharpens your focus and forces you to grow up fast. Life carries on, and how you respond to setbacks shapes everything that follows. A change of scenery and a new opportunity brought Dean to the UK, but finance had always been calling. After several years as a mortgage adviser, Covid prompted him to take stock, and he realised he wanted more than transactional work: he wanted the long-term relationships that trust builds over years, and the privilege of being someone a client genuinely relies on. That's what drew him into wealth management. His approach isn't about overwhelming clients with jargon or making advice feel complicated — he wants conversations, not presentations. Good planning, as he sees it, starts with understanding what actually matters to someone: their family, their goals and their worries. From there he builds the foundations, protecting and preserving what's important, then growing from a place of confidence. And when markets move or life throws up something unexpected, he is there as a sounding board, helping clients stay calm and avoid the kind of reactive decisions that can undo years of good work. Today Dean works with individuals, families and business owners across pension and retirement planning, investment strategy, Inheritance Tax planning and protection. But if you ask him what he enjoys most, it isn't a topic — it's a moment. It's the moment something clicks for a client: a look of clarity and a quiet smile. People spend years building something, often without quite realising how far they've come, so when they finally see it, that's the difference this work makes. A lot of what he does can't be measured in pounds; what he really wants is for clients to feel completely organised, to have peace of mind around their finances, and to live a life of freedom without worrying about money. Outside of work, Dean is a family man and an Arsenal supporter, and as the only male in the household — including a very energetic working cocker spaniel — he is well and truly outnumbered. Some lessons you learn on the pitch and others you learn the hard way, but either way, he finds, they make you better at what you do.
Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII) Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (LIBF)
Dean Wilkinson is FCA-verified (firm: Mattioli Woods).
Yes. Dean Wilkinson is FCA-regulated and verified by Trusted Advisor. We re-check every adviser's FCA status regularly to make sure their authorisation to give regulated advice is current.
Dean Wilkinson offers Retirement planning, IHT planning, Sharia-compliant advice, Mortgages. You can see the full list of services on this profile, or book a free initial call to discuss your situation in more detail.
Fees vary depending on the service, the complexity of your situation and the assets involved. Dean Wilkinson will explain all fees clearly before you commit to anything, and the initial consultation booked through Trusted Advisor is free.
Dean Wilkinson is an independent financial adviser, which means they can recommend products from across the whole of the UK market without being tied to any single provider. This generally allows for more impartial advice.
Click "Book a Consultation" on this page to choose a time that suits you. The first call is free and there's no obligation. If you'd prefer, you can also message Dean Wilkinson directly through the contact form.
Many of the advisers on Trusted Advisor work with UK clients remotely as well as in person. Dean Wilkinson is based in Midlands but you can confirm preferred meeting locations and video options when you book your initial call.