North Wales entrepreneur Rhian Mostyn Jones explains why a frustrating banking experience prompted her to invest in physical gold.
Demand for physical gold bars and coins reached a 12-year high in 2025, according to the World Gold Council[i], as investors increasingly looked to diversify their wealth amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Among them is North Wales entrepreneur Rhian Mostyn Jones, who says a frustrating experience trying to access her own savings prompted her to rethink how she protects her finances.
Rhian, a tour guide and businesswoman from Llanfairfechan, North Wales, also manages PR for her husband, well-known Welsh hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones. Living at Ty’n Llwyfan, the family’s hill farm, which has been in the family for more than 375 years, she balances family life with supporting the family’s farming and business interests while running guided tours across North Wales.
However, it was a routine attempt to access her own savings that changed the way she thought about investing.
“I only wanted to access around £6,000 for a new business venture, but I was questioned repeatedly and couldn’t move my own money freely,” said Rhian. “I had to go into the bank, answer questions for around 45 minutes, and they still wouldn’t let me use the money. That was the moment I started to lose confidence in the system.”
Following the experience, Rhian began researching alternative ways to protect her savings. Having seen increasing discussion around gold in the news and on social media, she decided to explore investing in physical gold as part of her long-term financial planning.
In 2022, she made her first investment of £5,000 in certified UK legal tender gold coins.
“With everything going on, and knowing how dependent we are on digital systems, I wanted something I could actually hold,” she said. “If systems go down or access is restricted, gold is still there.”
Rhian says she sees physical gold as complementing, rather than replacing, other savings and investments. She chose UK legal tender gold coins because they offer flexibility, allowing individual coins to be sold if funds are needed in the future, whether to support a new business venture, respond to unexpected expenses or help her children as they establish their careers. As UK legal tender, coins such as Britannias and Sovereigns are exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK taxpayers, which she says was another factor in her decision.
“I’ve got three children, and it’s reassuring to know I can pass something on or access it quickly if needed,” she said.
One example is her daughter, who is studying photography at university.
“If she wanted to set up her own studio or start a business one day, being able to cash in one or two coins could help her get started without relying entirely on borrowing.”
Introduced to Britannia Bullion through a trusted contact, Rhian says she chose the company because of its straightforward, personal approach. Despite encountering further delays from her bank when transferring funds to purchase gold, she found the investment process itself simple and transparent.
Matthew Jones, Co-Founder of Britannia Bullion and precious metals analyst, said: “Rhian’s experience reflects a conversation we’re hearing more frequently from first-time investors. While people continue to use banks and traditional savings products, many are also looking to diversify with tangible assets that they own outright, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty.
The World Gold Council’s latest figures reflect what we’re seeing first-hand. Physical gold has long been recognised as a store of value, but we’re now seeing more first-time investors viewing it as one part of a broader financial strategy rather than a replacement for other investments.
“For many UK investors, legal tender gold coins such as Britannias and Sovereigns are particularly attractive because they combine flexibility with tax efficiency. They can be sold individually if funds are needed and are exempt from Capital Gains Tax for UK taxpayers, making them a popular choice for those taking a long-term approach to wealth preservation.”
Rhian now plans to continue investing as part of her family’s long-term financial strategy.
“For me, there’s a real sense of freedom in it,” she said. “Gold isn’t just about investment. It’s about having control over your own money and knowing you’ve got something tangible that can support you and your family in the future.”