Paul Atherton

Paul Atherton (FRN 943817) is not directly authorised. It is an appointed representative acting under the responsibility of a directly authorised principal firm.

An appointed representative (AR) can carry out regulated financial services, but is not directly authorised by the FCA. A principal firm holds the authorisation and is legally responsible for the AR's conduct. Paul Atherton (FRN 943817) is an AR of First Vehicle Finance Ltd (FRN 669990). When you use Paul Atherton's services, the FCA authorisation sits with the principal firm. Example: if you take financial advice from Paul Atherton, complaints and compensation usually follow the same rules as dealing with the principal, but this depends on the product and your circumstances. Before you proceed, confirm contact details match the official FCA register for both firms. Scammers sometimes clone legitimate AR names and FRNs but use fake phone numbers and websites.

The FCA register lists the phone number 01293 228040 for Paul Atherton. If you were given different contact details, use these to check with the firm before going any further.

Paul Atherton is a genuine FCA-listed firm, and the FCA has published no warnings about fake versions of it. Scammers do copy real firms, though, so check that any contact details you were given match the ones on the register.

Protection works through First Vehicle Finance Ltd, the principal firm responsible for Paul Atherton's regulated activity. FSCS cover and the Financial Ombudsman Service apply as they would to the principal.