Michael Blair

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I needed someone with financial knowledge to provide guidance and to discuss important issues that would be beneficial for the future

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Financial Input benefits We are very happy about the service we received covering many topics. The meeting with our Financial Advisor Michael, as always, was very informative covering many issues of importance.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have been happy with our Investments that we set up with Michael and the fact that they are reviewed regularly to ensure we get the best return.

What could they have done better?

Michael has to operate withing the current market climate, I am happy they do this

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Michael advised on further investment into my pension plan, has kept us updated on investment performance throughout, now approaching retirement Michael is effectively advising us on the process and providing us with the confidence and reassurance we need.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Looking to retire early and potentially consolidate a number of pension pots. Needed to identify if early retirement was a realistic possibility and maximise investments.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Great, sound friendly advice which has seen me retire comfortably when I wanted to.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I can see currently.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Pensions review and consolidation, advice on inheritance planning and achievement of retirement goals

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Excellent Service Michael provided good information and feedback regarding my pension's performance, was happy to discuss and listen to points I raised and took away some for further discussion internally. I am very happy with the information and communication I receive from Hartsfield.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Currently everything is on-track and good

What could they have done better?

Currently happy with the full experience with Michael

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We wanted to make the most of our investments and pensions having recently retired

How has Michael Blair helped you?

We switched our investments to Hartsfield two years ago and Michael has offered us sound advice and helped us in investing our finances and pensions in the appropriate funds to achieve good profits

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. We have seen a substantial increase in our investments over the 2 years

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Michael is always helpful and able to answer questions I have.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

To better understand finances and invest surplus cash savings in a tax-efficient manner.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Service has been excellent throughout our relationship and the documents and content are always very clear and easy to understand. We were pleased to see our Financial Adviser, Michael Blair. We had a good catch up and received a detailed update on our financial plan which is comfortably on track with strong investment performance since inception. Communications from Hartsfield have also been really good via our Relationship Manager, Stephanie Shipley. Highly recommended overall.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The team at Hartsfield have been great throughout and I have greater clarity on my finances. I have also been very happy with the overall performance since inception.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

To look after my personal finances

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Very good, Everything I have asked is being done to my wishes.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Very good service

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Since the last review Michael has been more than helpful with my financial situation following my Mum's Will being settled. I needed advice and action with my money in my side of the Will to pay for the House to make it mine out right. I am very grateful.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Had to move a pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Always there for you friendly people you can trust.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We needed to have professional guidance on how best to protect our finances and savings

How has Michael Blair helped you?

As always, everything is very well explained in great detail with an Annual Report provided confirming everything as a reference. We find it very helpful to have the input of a financial expert.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes to date the information, actions taken and recommendations provided by Michael have proved to be successful.

What could they have done better?

We are happy with the service provided by Michael and are confident he acts in our best interests.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transfer of pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

First class. Been with them for nearly two years now and I regard their service and performance as the best, brilliant customer communication and portfolio performance has been excellent, very highly recommended these guys.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes 100%, exceeded our plans to the extent it’s outperformed our spending! Reviews are informative and realistic, very happy with the advice and performance.

What could they have done better?

Honestly nothing really, everything we’d hoped to achieve in retirement has become reality, the ongoing support and excellent customer service is very helpful and always prompt.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to review and consolidate my pension arrangements and to start preparing my finances for retirement

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael helped me to review my pension arrangements and to consolidate a number of small pension pots. His advice is clear and practical, and the cashflow modelling tool Hartsfield uses is great as it makes it easy to see the impact of different investment choices and scenarios. My pension performance since consolidation has been good too. Recommended.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - so far I'm very happy with the advice & service I have received from Michael & Hartsfield

What could they have done better?

Nothing, so far.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We had already developed our objectives and needed an expert Independent Chartered Financial Planner to help us achieve them as well as peer review everything and recommend changes and/or alternatives. This included consolidating two workplace pensions, develop strategies for growing wealth in retirement, investments, drawdown, and IHT.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael seamlessly accomplished the transfer of two workplace pensions a final salary scheme and a personal pension plan from two different sources into Hartsfield’s investment platform. We are not the average passive investor as we like to have some control of our investments and what we invest in. Michael is extremely knowledgeable and quickly understood our retirement and investment objectives, income drawdown needs, inheritance and tax strategy. We worked together as a team exploring all options to develop and fine tune our investment strategy, asset allocation, what markets and funds to invest in. Michael and his team of Simon Moriarty - Chartered Paraplanner/Technical Analyst and Gareth Lewis Investment Portfolio Manger have done a excellent job. We are pleased to be able to report that our first 12 months of being fully vested Michael and Team Hartsfield have delivered what they said they would. Excellent - We are more than satisfied we chose Team Hartsfield.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are pleased to be able to report that our first 12 months of being fully vested Michael and Team Hartsfield have delivered what they said they would. Excellent - We are more than satisfied we chose Team Hartsfield.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - Because we worked closely as a team to meet our goals and objectives.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Wanting to consolidate various investments and savings in one place

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Friendly, personal service with a clear understanding of how best to match individual priorities, attitude to risk and ethical values to appropriate investment strategies. Satisfied with range of options, communication and access to information via an easy to navigate system

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

No advice sought in the last 12 months, but I know he is there when I do need advice I can trust.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Thinking about early retirement and unsure if financially viable.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

He’s given goid, friendly, honest advice - exactly what I require.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not that I was hoping for necessarily but what I expected given market volatility due to the various events happening globally and the advice Michael gave me.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - all good.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Continuing with advice, especially when drawing down, which has been very helpful

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Consolidating my pensions and coming out of final salary scheme to maximise pension in retirement

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Excellent process and customer relationship, met all my needs and requirements and executed our agreed plan with minimal fuss

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, so far despite a very rocky year in the global markets the fund has performed at a level I was happy with given the turmoil around the world and gave a positive return.

What could they have done better?

Nothing, all my dealings have been excellent.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My wife and I consulted with Michael at Hartsfield after we'd been retired for a few years. We're reasonably financially astute, and like many of our friends, have a mixed bag of small company pension schemes and final salary pensions, rather than a single company or public sector final salary pension. This doesn't make it easy to understand where we stand with respect to spending levels in retirement. After the roller coaster ride in the stock markets over the last couple of years, we consulted Michael to understand: 1) are we going to run out of money in retirement and 2) if not, are our current spending levels OK?

How has Michael Blair helped you?

During our initial meeting with Michael, which lasted much longer than I'd have expected, he listened well, probed our situation, concerns, aspirations and needs, and summarised well the questions we were looking to have answered. Then the homework for us began! Hartsfield use a well-structured process, digging into your current spending levels and needs, future likely spending, incomes from whatever sources and so on. Quite a lot of homework, but they made the process about as easy as it could be. Off the back of this Michael and Hartsfield pulled together quite a large number of cashflow forecasts for us, looking at how our (financial) futures might unfold. And the session with Michael, interactively walking us through those was very interesting! He walked us through each of the potential future scenarios, highlighting anything of interest and answering the questions we had arising from them. And when we asked for a couple of additional scenarios to be run off the back of the ones already undertaken, Michael was happy to undertake those and then send the results on to us. I'm glad to say that the structured process we followed with Hartsfield answered the questions and concerns that we had. And, funny though it seems to be writing this, we enjoyed the process! That's largely due to Michael himself, how well he handled us as clients and how well he got 'under the skin' of our concerns and what we were trying to understand. So thank you Michael and Hartsfield and as I say, I'd happily recommend Hartsfield to anyone seeking retirement or financial planning advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I'm glad to say that the structured process we followed with Michael answered the questions and concerns that we had.

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Michael

Michael arrived promptly. He was dressed 'smart casual' which immediately put us at ease. He listened attentively and presented his thoughts in a confident and understandable way. He is clearly very knowledgeable and explained all options very well. We enjoyed the time he spent with us.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transfer of pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Focused on the important issues for me

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

To move a pension from one provider , to another to gain some control of the pension as a draw down.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

THEY LISTEN AND PROVIDE ADVICE ACCORDINGLY I have always found Mike to be really helpful and listen to my needs

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and no . The advice has been great but the poor performance of the markets has led to some disappointing returns . That said I am unsure if it could have been any better .

What could they have done better?

Nothing unless some magic fairy dust or crystal ball could have been found !

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Michael

I found Michael to be very positive, helpful and informative in the advice he gave. Also he was very friendly and I immediately felt relaxed in the meeting.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

After our mum passed away,& I needed help financial advice to do with the Will, Michael pointed me in the right direction.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Michael has once again provided us with a very comprehensive update on our current investments and how we might better manage them as we head towards retirement. Although the markets have continued to be in flux since our last review, we are confident that we're on the right path as regards our current investments.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

No advice sought in last year, but I know he is there when I do need advice.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Planning for mortgage and pension

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Initially going self employed followed by retirement

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Advice on consolidating pensions and investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Not a lot

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I wanted to test whether my plan for retirement was possible. Was I on target to retire at my chosen time? Having professional financial advice, set out several options that would allow me to realise my retirement plans with confidence.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Detailed Retirement Planning. From my first contact with Hartsfield through to the review of my retirement options, the service has been excellent. Having taken the decision to take professional financial advice, I have been very impressed by how my advisor listened to my aspirations for the process and then responded to the brief by giving me a clear set of options to consider.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It’s proved to be better than I anticipated and has encouraged me to forge ahead with my plans.

What could they have done better?

I don’t think they could have been any more efficient. Every step worked out exactly as planned. Every step carefully explained beforehand and followed in sequence.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Transferring multiple pensions both final salary and invested funds into a single SIPP arrangement where I can use a 7 figure pension pot to fund my desired use of my pension, enabling me to both enjoy my early retirement but still sensibly maintain my higher projected income long term.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael has been both very realistic in managing my expectations and also very clear in what is achievable in a wide range of options and likely outcomes for my desires and potential short and long term goals, the funds have been invested with a long term outlook and have been less volatile than most funds I considered while I’ve still been able to enjoy some immediate goals, overall Micha l has delivered on all my objectives, is both very professional and personal and I wound not hesitate to recommend his services.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, although the investment markets have been somewhat tumultuous I expected this and my investments have held their value relatively so growth will hopefully happen next year but with a relatively intact portfolio.

What could they have done better?

Some of the back up administration is slow to arrive but for Michael I have no hesitation in recommending his expert advice and can only describe my experience so far as excellent and highly recommended.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking for a more co-ordinated savings plan and investment strategy. The experience and great reputation of Michael's company led to my initial quest for information and to see if this company could provide timely advice and an ongoing investment plan to protect and grow my savings and investments.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Great Company, Great Service Professional outfit who suggest and recommend the best ways to maintain and grow your savings and SIPPS even when the market outlook is uncertain. Always friendly and focused, Michael is always on-hand to answer queries and keep me abreast of market changes and suggest recommendations to keep my portfolio on-track.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Well, obviously there always seems to be some sort of drama in the financial markets especially what with the pandemic, wars and inflation, but the current results are broadly in line with my investment strategy.

What could they have done better?

Always a difficult question to answer, as in a prefect world I would like my investments to double in value every year and with no investment charges either! But you don't get something for nothing, so as long as they maintain their current professional outlook, aim to increase my portfolio value (in real terms and in line with my aims) as well as striving to keep charges in check and ideally reduce them, then they are an ideal and trustworthy financial partner.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Retirement planning

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Plan in place

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Happy

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Michael

For the last nine months we have been searching for a truly Independent Chartered Financial Adviser. We researched and interviewed 10 companies including some listed in The FTAdvisers 2021 Top 20 and Top 100 plus others big international financial fund managers and wealth management companies.. Although they claimed to have “Chartered and Independent status" they were not as independent as they claimed once we dug deeper into how they operated. We rejected them all. With more painstaking research we found Hartsfield Planning and in particular Michael Blair. We have been very impressed by his straight forward, open, honest approach, his in depth knowledge of financial planning/investments/strategies, his analytical ability to listen and understand our objectives and needs. With his passion and expertise, the Hartsfield ethos, the flexibility of being truly independent plus an award winning relatively young vibrant team we believe we have found the best team to partner with. We look forward to a long lasting and profitable relationship with Michael Blair and Team Hartsfield.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Advice for retirement on various aspects of pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Helpful, all aspects explained clearly, all topics discussed in a full and clear manner.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, subject to the market fluctuations

What could they have done better?

Nothing, the service has been good and results better

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Came to retirement age & planed out the future.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Very efficient with the presentation package & information on your stokes & shares.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Due to the troubles going on in the world could have been worse!

What could they have done better?

Same as above.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Michael has reviewed our current investments to ensure they remain on track for our retirement ambitions. Despite the markets having taken a bit of a battering recently we talked it through and decided to stick to the ongoing monthly investment.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

No advice required in the last year.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Better money management

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Great advice and personal service.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Continued ongoing advice on maintaining my investment, as well as helping with future proofing it.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Pension consolidation

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Excellent service and support from Michael Blair at Hartsfield. I've worked with Michael for over a year on my pensions and have been very pleased with every aspect of my dealings with him. Highly recommended!

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

No

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Coming up to retirement and wished to know all my available options.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

I would definitely recommend Michael Blair from Hartsfield Financial Services Limited because of his professionalism, efficiency and friendly manner. He very quickly will address any concerns you may have and deal with them. Michael is very knowledgeable but able to explain in a way you can understand and takes the time to achieve this which I appreciate. Thank you Michael.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes the investment has increased in value despite a difficult period.

What could they have done better?

N/A

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had a pension that I wanted to move to a drawdown scheme .

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Great staff who were helpful and communicative. I was very impressed with my contact with the organisation from dealing with Melanie Dolphine Michael Blair and George Fleming. Michael was very helpful with advice and George was great at helping me set up my online app.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

nothing as above, good communication and advice.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We needed a better understanding of our pensions, their worth and our options for investment

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael always keeps us well informed and is always happy to spend time explaining our investments in a clear and easy to understand way.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

At our last review Michael effectively dealt with an unexpected additional investment, this was dealt with very well.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

We were looking for ways to repay our mortgage - nothing was "off the table".

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Very pleased with the help and support from Hartsfield. Understood our needs and requirements. Advised us on best solution allowing us to restructure our investments to best effect.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The advice we received from Michael and Hartsfield Financial was excellent and the outcome was so much more that we were hoping for. Not only have we been able to clear our mortgage, but we have retired early in the knowledge that our personal pension is more than sufficient to live on in the years before we can claim our state pension.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My previous advisors became tied to one particular finacial services company, I felt more confident having a genuinely independent advisor.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Providing a professional and thorough service delivered with a friendly and constructive approach, Michael advised me on aspects of responsible investment, maximising my state pension and private pension drawdown.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

To give you some context my approach to investment, I have always been keen on ethical and green investments. As a family we have been investing in reducing our carbon footprint, protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. We have an electric car, solar panals, triple glazing, high quality home insulation and energy efficient electrical appliances. We collect rainwater, recycle our waste and grow our own food. With reference to financial investment Michael Blair on an ongoing basis, informs me how best to transfer my money and is very clear on when monies are best available for transfer. I'm extremely happy with his advice and his initial recommended ethical pension and ethical ISAs.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

Positive advice ref maintaining my investment

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Michael Blair helped you since your last review?

We talked through the various options available and discussed how much risk I was willing to take. From this we have selected a list of areas in which to concentrate my investment portfolio.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Inheritance

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael took a lot of time to understand us as people and our future needs and plans.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It’s early days but we’re very happy with the clarity Michael gave us and the ease with which everything was implemented

What could they have done better?

Nothing

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My partner and I had just arrived in the UK and needed advice.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

We had our follow up interview with Michael in the context of COVID and he provided us with up to date advice and guidance

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Pension planning for possible retirement in the near future

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Providing advise to combine existing pension pot an cash savings into better products.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

With the current Covid 19 Its been a difficult financial period to give reliable comment, the products have recovered their losses and show surplus, this indicates a good result in the current circumstances.

What could they have done better?

None

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Michael

pleasure to find someone with good old fashioned values this day and age.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Michael

Very clear communication - in a way that is accessible and doesn’t make me feel silly. I have lots to weigh up after our initial consultation hence the ‘maybe’ for future services.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Multiple pensions with little support from the pension companies

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael helped me understand the full value of my pensions and savings and their potential growth without over complicating the answers. He discussed my various options, Associated risk levels, So I now have a better understanding of my situation. and feel that I have someone to contact, who will spend the time to explain/advise on any situation in the future

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Too Early to comment

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

On my recent retirement (Summer 2019) l wanted to look at my long term financial arrangements with a good long term secure return.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael helped by discussing all the options with advantages and disadvantages to my financial questions. He provided a very professional, enthusiastic, approachable service which I'm happy with.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I still need to discuss some further options, with reference to ethical investments. My present financial arrangements have like most people have fallen due to the Coronavirus and its impact on the Stock Market. I'm looking forward to a recovery in the market, like many others.

What could they have done better?

Michael has provided the financial information for my circumstances with enthusiasm and professional knowledge. I'm not able to say what he could have done better.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have been the beneficiary of several investments which serve as income in my retirement, but was finding it quite overwhelming keeping on top of them and felt I wanted advice to consolidate and simplify.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

We went through everything very thoroughly and after providing information on my outgoings and general life expectations he drew up a plan of action which I approved of.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

As a financial advisor I find him sympathetic and understanding of my situation and I can communicate easily with him. He understands the arena he works in, though he has a somewhat hesitant manner which can occasionally make me have to concentrate quite hard on what is being said.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had money to invest and needed advice.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael explained everything in detail but in a way that made it easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely. Our investments are doing well.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that we can think of.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Poor service from previous advisor and poor performance of portfolio

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Discussed my options and gave me a lot of information without any sales pressure

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely, helped me decide to move my portfolio to a better account option

What could they have done better?

To be honest, very little. The situation was difficult in that it was during lockdown but Michael handled everything very professionally.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have an on going need for support with my SIPP, given the existence of multiple pension plans whose value needs to be actively managed.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Support understanding additional contributions in to my plans to maximise my personal tax status

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I hope to in the years ahead

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Assessment of current pension provider and pension planning in general for retirement

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Comprehensive review of options

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had a number of small pensions, and needed advice on how to deal with them prior to my 65th Birthday

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael, contacted each of the pension providers and ascertained what options were available for each plan. He then advised me on what these options were and detailed the advantages and disadvantages to these options, and having discussed my expectations during my retirement advised which option/s were the best fit, for these expectations.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have not reached my 65th Birthday, so am not yet in a position to comment on this.

What could they have done better?

There is nothing I can think of that Michael could have done better in this instance.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Divorce , consolidation of pensions and investmant.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Helped me arrive at a conclusion with sound investment advice in a difficult ana sensitive situation without costing me a lot of money in tax.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Early days , less than a year but my investment is out performing the pension market.

What could they have done better?

Face to face advice was good from the very start , but this must carry on as decisions are more problematic over the phone. But realise that time constraints will come into play.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have reached 55 and needed advise on several pensions that I had but didn’t truly understand

How has Michael Blair helped you?

From the moment Michael responded to my email request for help he has been Great very friendly and understood my needs and understood that I was needing his expertise, Michael invited myself and my wife for an initial interview he went through all of our Questions And answered them in a way that we understood as pensions are a mine field we navigated our way through and have taken action on his advise.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes Micheal has done everything he said he would and we are very happy with all he has done for us , we will continue to have regular reviews over the next few years

What could they have done better?

Nothing from start to finish Micheal has provided an Excellent service and I will recommend him to all my colleagues and friends.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Needed to draw down a sum from pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Restructured pension to maximise tax free amount

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I had several pensions & had no idea what to do with them

How has Michael Blair helped you?

He gave me advice on our first meeting & came back very promptly with a personal recommendation that was set out in easy to follow charts etc.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are still in the process of transferring policies

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

As I will be looking to retire in the next five to ten years , I needed someone to look at the various pension pots I had also investments and savings . I wanted to have a plan in place which would enable me to continue on a similar lifestyle path when I retired. I wanted to know if I was on track to achieve this and if not what I could do to make it happen

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael looked at all my streams of income and also my outgoings. He took a lot of time to explain to me the various options I have. He demonstrated to me my potential income on retirement if I continued as I was doing and also gave me several options /projections if I wanted to increase my contributions and therefore income on retirement. He gave me a balanced picture of my finances and brought everything together for me. I now have a lot more confidence that I will be financially secure when I retire.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It has only been a year since I sought Michaels advice. However I have seen some benefits very quickly and longterm I can see that he has given me sound advice.

What could they have done better?

I'm very happy with what Michael has achieved for me

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Needing to assess our financial situation through our retirement years

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Clear and easy to understand analyses of how various models/risk levels and external circumstances would impact our income over our lifetimes. Prompt responses to queries and patient explanations to ensure thorough understanding of implications of decisions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Early days yet, but outcomes all better than expected so far.

What could they have done better?

Happy with service.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Some of our policies were maturing and we wanted to know best options

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Consolidated pension pots into one which better suits our needs. Advised on drawdown so that we could support our daughter in her new venture

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Very efficient service

What could they have done better?

I have nothing to criticise

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Sold my flat and ended up with too much money doing not much.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

He made a plan that would guarantee I could do all the things I wanted to do, including pay my tuition fees and invest in ethical, worthwhile places.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Remains to be seen but I have full confidence.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Setting up a pension

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Helped to set up a suitable pension and savings accounts

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes certainly

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I have a stakeholder pension that I am considering transferring into my occupational pension.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

I have 3 occupational pensions (2 deferred DB pensions) and Michael reviewed all of them with me and developed a strategy for (hopefully) maximising my income in retirement. He took into account my attitude to risk and desire to invest as ethically as possible.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

I was looking for a financial adviser to establish an insurance policy that would pay out in the event of mine or my wife's death. In addition, we were looking for a full review of our various pension arrangements that we have accumulated during our working life to ensure that they were suitable for our circumstances and needs in retirement.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael was very friendly and helpful from outset and went through a full fact find free of charge with no 'hard sale' or undue pressure. I was more than happy to appoint Michael as my adviser and he prioritised my financial needs and broke down the advice into stages which made it understandable and clear to see the value that he could add. Firstly, he sourced suitable protection within our identified budget and helped us navigate through the underwriting process by chasing both the provider and doctor surgery to ensure a quick turnaround time whilst keeping us fully updated throughout. Secondly, he demonstrated exceptional value when it came to our retirement planning and broke down a complex subject into an easy to understand format as i had a number of different policies including a guaranteed annuity rate that i was not aware of. The financial planning report was well written and clearly illustrated that my wife could retire immediately and we would be able to sustain our standard of living throughout retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - Michael established a new pension policy for both me and my wife and helped us facilitate additional contributions prior to the end of the tax year. Given this was likely to be our final year in which we would make these tax-efficient savings, i was very pleased that this was a simple process and completed in a matter of days. I am now just awaiting my pensions transfers to finalise which will simplify retirement by having everything in one place and invested appropriately.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

My pension was due to be paid and I wanted advice on best to used my pump sum.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

Michael gave me various options to choose from without any pressure and gave me sound advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not yet it has only recently been invested.

What were the circumstances that caused you to initially look for an adviser?

Investment advice.

How has Michael Blair helped you?

He gave advice, which I didn't take up in the end, due to a change in circumstances. He was, however, very helpful.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not for any reason relating to Michael, he was very helpful. I decided to go in a different direction.