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.

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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 portfolio through my childhood. Saturday's were spent with my Dad shifting beds around and collecting rent.

 

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 the property was massively falling in value. A learning curve!

 

Then 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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What services do I offer?

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In terms of what I do for clients. I am an 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 pension because of my advice.

 

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, pensions, investments, savings, 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. The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, an independent trade body for Commercial brokers - The NACFB comprises over 2,000 commercial finance brokers covering the whole of the UK. They're required to have Full or Limited Consumer Credit Permission, Professional Indemnity Insurance, a Data Protection Licence, and a strong track record with nationally recognised lenders.

3. 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.

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

    5. Sarah Drakard is a fully qualified IFA

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