Who Are We?
Unburdened is the brainchild of former compliance officer Alan Whittle.
Alan realised that there was often a gap between what the teams at financial planning firms can do, and what they need to do in order for their businesses to operate at the highest level. Unburdened exists to help bridge that gap.
The name Unburdened was inspired by conversations with financial planners about the weight of responsibility that comes with running an advisory business. Working with Unburdened means sharing that load.
Our Values
Honesty
We want to build lasting relationships with our clients. This means being open and honest with you, whether that is reporting back the results of a file check or in setting clear expectations for the work you require from us.
Competency
Our support for education is not confined to those we work with and we will always strive to improve our understanding. Sometimes this means accepting that there are areas where we aren't the best person to help you (like Defined Benefit Pension Transfers).
Passion
We believe in the power of financial planning to help people and the importance of sustainable, ethical and values-driven advice. We want to see financial planning grow into a successful profession.
The Team
We are here to help you succeed. At Unburdened, we are passionate about the power of good financial planning and committed to supporting you every step of the way.
Our team brings together a wealth of experience across compliance, learning and development, combining technical expertise with a genuine focus on outcomes.
We work collaboratively to help you deliver the results your clients expect with integrity and confidence.
Dr Alan Whittle, MSc MA FPFS
After a career spanning roles as Paraplanner, Compliance Officer, and Money Laundering Reporting Officer, Alan founded Unburdened in 2019 to deliver ongoing compliance, learning, and development support to financial planning businesses.
Alan’s experience includes working with the Scottish Government’s Rural Communities Division and a private welfare-to-work service provider, fuelling a deep commitment to social and environmental sustainability.
A strong advocate of lifelong learning, Alan is a Chartered Financial Planner, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, and Chartered MCSI. He holds an MSc in Financial Planning and Business Management, alongside specialist qualifications in Impact Investing, Investment Management, Financial Crime, Risk Management, Green Finance, and Climate Risk.
In February 2025, Alan was awarded a PhD in Financial Planning by Manchester Metropolitan University. His thesis explored how reference points, frames, and framing influence investment decision-making in advised Impact Investing (read it here).
His ongoing research focuses on social and responsible investing, investor motivation, and applied ethics in financial services.
Awards & Recognition
2025: GoodStock.Live Better Together Award
2022: CII Distinguished Service Award
Find me on ORCID
Rebecca Kowalski, FPFS
Rebecca brings a wealth of experience in Sustainable Finance and contributes to our work as an independent consultant.
Rebecca worked as a Sustainable Finance Champion under her Overstory brand from 2021 to 2024, following a career as a Paraplanner, Compliance Manager and Sustainability Lead for several Scottish IFA firms. Rebecca supports Unburdened in the development of Sustainable Finance solutions and research.
A Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, Rebecca also holds a degree in Russian and Spanish as well as specialist qualifications in Sustainable Finance.
Rebecca's primary focus is on good client outcomes in the sustainable finance space, by providing education and training materials for the advisory profession, scrutinising the output of the investment industry and developing clear communications for clients.
Rebecca collaborates widely in pursuit of positive change, working with Alan via Unburdened Solutions and Present Change, the FCA ASG group, the PFS Sustainability Panel and is an organiser of the Goodstock.Live conference.
Rebecca is motivated by helping her daughter, a climate activist, carry the burden of the climate crisis.
Collaboration
We are very pleased to be working in collaboration with some fantastic people in the work that we do, particularly:
- Michaela Pashley and colleagues at Practical Financial Exams (PFE)
- Max Leslie of Leslie Learning
Need a little light reading?
We have a selection of articles and research papers available in our Research and Articles section.
Read More...