I'm Sarah! Some people call me by my nickname Sarah Cruze, but my actual name is Sarah Drakard. 'Why Cruze?' I hear you ask. A long, long time ago, I was an entrepreneurial teenager in the late 90s. I was heavily into garage music at the time and used to hold regular events in local clubs. I was 14 and shouldn't have even been allowed into the club! They asked me what my business was called (I had my school uniform on under my jumper) during a meeting with a potential venue, and I panicked. I looked at a newspaper on the table, and the word 'Cruise' jumped out on the front page. I blurted it out and, being oh so super cool, spelt it with a Z. It stuck, and I was known as Sarah Cruze forevermore.

 

It's a name that's represented my growing businesses ever since. My investment company for properties involves Cruze too. So when I set up my financial services company, it was only right to use this name as it very much represents the beginnings of my journey through business and my financial growth. It's been so much part of my path that I actually called my first child Cruz too! It was his Dad's idea but it stuck and who knows - if he's in to financial services he might have a whole ready made business waiting for his! 

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Anyway, enough about the name - let me share why choose Cruze!

 

 In terms of my financial services career, I have grown up in a family of property investors. I've watched my parents build a lucrative property portfolio of buy to lets and HMOs throughout my childhood as well as my uncles, aunts and grand parents. Saturday's were spent with my Dad shifting beds around and collecting rent. I also became an HMO landlord in my early 20s.

 

Aged 20, I joined a local mortgage company and learnt the industry inside and out. I bought my first property at the age of 21. Then 2007 hit, and the financial services industry I loved so much collapsed around me. 

 

I left the industry for a bit and had my own personal struggles with a relationship breaking down and having to separate property and finances, all while properties were in negative equity. That time was a huge learning curve, which sparked my interest in helping clients manage their mortgages, finances and estates to protect their hard earned legacy through all the events life throws at them be it divorce, illness, death, economic events and more. I've been in this industry through it all both personally and professionally for nearly 20 years learning the very hard way, the impact financial services has on our lives. 

 

In 2013, I started Evolution for Women in Hertfordshire, partnering with an ex-colleague Rebecca. We specialised in providing financial advice for women, something I'm very passionate about. However, after six incredible years doing that, I decided I needed my own business. Evolution was Rebecca's baby, and I needed my own. Hence Cruze Financial Solutions was born! 

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Since starting Cruze in 2019, I've become a mum and had two lovely children, Cruz and Ceven. At the time of writing this in 2025 they are 6 months old and 2. Navigating my business and growing my family has been yet another challenge and further developed my learning, experience and reflections on how I help my clients. What you can take from this little bit about me is that I pour my own personal experiences in to the passion I have for financial services. Property, mortgages and finance have been huge parts of many of the cross roads of my own personal journey be it becoming a mum, going through a separation or losing some one - all of these milestone life events go hand in hand with finances. 

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What services do I offer?

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In terms of what I do for clients. I am a fully qualified Independent Financial Adviser. I choose to remain truly independent and have access to every provider, lender, insurer, bank etc., that takes business from advisers.

 

I can help clients with every aspect of their financial journey. Check the services page for details. I absolutely love my job. It's the best job in the world in my opinion. There is no better feeling than helping someone buy a house or knowing someone has a good will because of my advice. I have grown up in property and watching people buy, develop and manage property and it's second nature to me so passing that knowledge on is a great feeling.

 

Even when bad things happen, it's reassuring to know my client's loved ones are financially secure because we've set up life insurance or written the will. I really enjoy meeting people and finding out about their circumstances. It never fails to amaze me how differently each person thinks about their money and priorities, and I'm always open to tailoring what I do to fit with that. I'm a problem solver and pride myself on going above and beyond for my clients. 

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A few random facts about me: 

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• Absolutely addicted to good coffee

• Completely phobic of spiders

• I used to be a bouncer

• I'm Cancerian (a client recently instructed me on the basis that our horoscopes were compatible, so just in case it matters to you!)

• I had a gastric bypass in 2018 and lost well over nine stone

• I still absolutely love 90s music

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Professional Qualifications

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Cruze Financial Solutions offers financial planning sessions and can help in financial aspects, including mortgages, estate planning, equity release and insurance. We know you need reassurance when dealing with your financial affairs. 

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We are members of - 

1. The Society of Will Writers and we adhere to their industry gold standard of code of practise.

2. Member of the Equity Release Council is the industry body for the UK equity release sector, representing the providers, qualified financial advisers, solicitors, and intermediaries. They say, 'When considering an equity release plan, we recommend customers talk to a specialist member of the Equity Release Council. All of our members have agreed to abide by the Council rules and have signed up to the Statement of Principles.

3. 'Vouched for' top-rated adviser three years in a row and published in the times based on client reviews.

    4. Sarah Drakard is a fully qualified FCA regulated Independent Financial Adviser

    5. Sarah hold's the following qualifications; DipFA DipMAP CeMAP CeRER

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