The Best Connection Group Limited: FCA regulated?

Appointed representative

This firm does not hold FCA authorisation of its own, and acts under a principal firm, which is legally responsible for its regulated business.

Appointed for 15 years
Protected through the principal
No FCA actions
Active company since 1991

Responsible principal firm

Howden UK Brokers Limited Reference number: 307663 Authorised View firm →

What does this mean?

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.
The Best Connection Group Limited (FRN 549796) is an AR of Howden UK Brokers Limited (FRN 307663). When you use The Best Connection Group's services, the FCA authorisation sits with the principal firm.
Example: if you take financial advice from The Best Connection Group, 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.

Website, phone number and address

Compare these against whatever you were given. Scammers clone real firm names and reference numbers but use their own phone number and website, so a detail that does not match the register is the clearest warning sign there is.

Website

thebestconnection.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
Phone number

0121 504 3000
Address

Unit 1, Topaz, Topaz Way, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0GD, United Kingdom

In the full report: 3 background checks

When thebestconnection.co.uk first appeared online, and whether it can receive email
What kind of line 0121 504 3000 is
Who else gives the postcode B61 0GD

Other names (1)

If you were contacted under any of these names, it is this firm.

The Best Connection Group Ltd Former name: A name it was registered under before.

FCA permissions and consumer protection

Protection through the principal firm
Protection works through Howden UK Brokers Limited, the principal firm responsible for this firm's regulated activity. FSCS cover and the Financial Ombudsman Service apply as they would to the principal.
Complaints Ombudsman, free
You can refer a complaint about this firm to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free, whichever activity it relates to.

FCA disciplinary action and complaints

No FCA disciplinary action.

The Financial Ombudsman Service only publishes complaint figures for firms with 30 or more new complaints in six months, so there are none here for this firm.

Companies House record

The company behind the firm: its status, age, registered office and directors.

Company number: 02600534 (opens Companies House in a new tab)
Company status: Active
Company type: Private limited company
Incorporated: 5 April 1991 (35 years old)
Registered office: Matches the FCA register address ✓
Nature of business: Temporary employment agency activities (SIC 78200)

Directors and company secretaries

Name	Role	Born	Appointed	Other companies
Andrew Christopher Sweeney	Director	Jan 1957	1 Dec 1995	24 other companies
Neil Robert Yorke	Director	Mar 1957	1 Dec 1995	26 other companies
Darren Ainge	Director	Jul 1969	1 Dec 2015	1 other company
Oliver Joseph Darley-Usmar	Director	Aug 1989	1 Sep 2026	2 other companies
Jane Power	Director	Aug 1971	1 Sep 2026	2 other companies
Neil Robert Yorke	Secretary	Not published	15 Apr 1999	26 other companies

Other companies run by these 5 directors

A firm is run by people, and their other companies are their track record: what they built, what closed, and anything that failed. It is the check most people never think to make.

other companies: 29
closed down: 11
is FCA-registered: 1

In the full report: all 29 companies, named

What each company does, and whether it is still trading
Which of these 5 directors sit on each board, and since when
Any that went into liquidation or administration
The one on the FCA register
The 23 companies these 5 directors run together
All 14 people who have ever been directors, with their dates

Key dates in its history

The Best Connection Group’s history from the FCA register and Companies House, newest first.

Key events (4) All events (29)

2024

18 July 2024

Changed its registered name from "The Best Connection Group Ltd"

FCA register

2016

6 April 2016

Strategic Workforce Solutions Group Limited took control (75–100% of shares)

Companies House

2011

2 May 2011

Became an appointed representative

FCA register

1991

5 April 1991

Incorporated at Companies House

Companies House

In the full report: all 29 events

All 29 events in its history (4 shown here)
Every director appointment and resignation: 23

Firms connected to The Best Connection Group

Other FCA-listed firms that share a director, phone number or address with The Best Connection Group. A link shows who the firm is tied to, not whether either can be trusted.

connected firm: 1
share a director: 1

In the full report: the connected firm, named

How it is linked: shared directors (1)
Who links it to this firm: the named directors, with dates

Firms like The Best Connection Group

Other firms of the same type (insurance broker), nearest first.

In Bromsgrove

4D Properties LimitedBromsgroveAppointed representative Clarke Baron Associates LtdBromsgroveAppointed representative Complete Healthcare Solutions (Midlands) LtdBromsgroveAppointed representative Mps Accountancy LtdBromsgroveAppointed representative Dvc Property Developments LtdBromsgroveAppointed representative Lets Connect IT Solutions LtdBromsgroveAppointed representative

Firms are listed by type and location, best known first. Being listed is not a recommendation: check any firm before you deal with it.

Get the full report on The Best Connection Group

Everything on this page, plus everything locked above, in one dated PDF you can keep, file or send on.

29 other companies its directors have run, named
3 background checks on its contact details
All 29 events in its history
1 connected firm, named, and who links them

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Frequently asked questions about this firm

Is The Best Connection Group Limited FCA authorised?

The Best Connection Group Limited (FRN 549796) is not directly authorised. It is an appointed representative acting under the responsibility of a directly authorised principal firm.

What does appointed representative mean for The Best Connection Group?

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. The Best Connection Group Limited (FRN 549796) is an AR of Howden UK Brokers Limited (FRN 307663). When you use The Best Connection Group's services, the FCA authorisation sits with the principal firm. Example: if you take financial advice from The Best Connection Group, 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.

What is The Best Connection Group’s phone number and website?

The FCA register lists the phone number 0121 504 3000 and the website thebestconnection.co.uk for The Best Connection Group. If you were given different contact details, use these to check with the firm before going any further.

Is The Best Connection Group a scam or clone?

The Best Connection Group 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.

Is my money safe with The Best Connection Group?

Protection works through Howden UK Brokers Limited, the principal firm responsible for The Best Connection Group's regulated activity. FSCS cover and the Financial Ombudsman Service apply as they would to the principal.

Who owns The Best Connection Group?

The Best Connection Group is owned by Strategic Workforce Solutions Group Limited, which holds 75–100% of shares, since 6 April 2016.

Who runs The Best Connection Group?

Companies House lists 5 directors of The Best Connection Group: Andrew Christopher Sweeney, Neil Robert Yorke, Darren Ainge, Oliver Joseph Darley-Usmar and Jane Power.

How long has The Best Connection Group been in business?

The company was formed on 5 April 1991.

Does The Best Connection Group use any other names?

It has previously used the name The Best Connection Group Ltd.