Mark Hibbitt

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

Increased awareness to plan for my financial future

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark gave detailed recommendations and advice based on our extensive conversations with regards to group pensions, company healthcare, life assurance and overall financial planning.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, my private pension and our company group pensions are preforming very well thanks to Mark’s recommendations.

What could they have done better?

Perhaps more prompt communication but appreciate Mark is very busy.

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

I set up my own limited company in 2003 and needed an adviser to help me through all the products and providers out in the marketplace. Sovereign were relatively local to me at the time and following our initial meeting I knew they were a good match and I have been with them ever since.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark has been my adviser for the majority of the years I have been with Sovereign. He has helped keep me on track with my pensions (including switching provider to better align to my goals and objectives as I moved into the later phase of my working life). Being a freelancer Mark has helped me with protection products if the worst were to happen and I could no longer work. Mark is always available to help and keep me on track when I need some guidance.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Getting there. I think I was originally over optimistic in terms of when I could afford to retire. The current plan (and progress towards it) are on track and I am happy with the current position.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really. I think Mark and Sovereign were quick to adapt to the restrictions placed on us all by COVID and the use of Zoom for example has made keeping in touch even easier.

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

I am approaching retirement so need advice about retirement. Needed my financial affairs consolidated.Needed financial planning for the future

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

He sorted out all my finances, explained the options to me, consolidated my investments and advised me for future planning. He is an excellent communicator for people like me who do not have a financial background.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are still in the process but I feel assured things are going to plan. I feel secure there is a plan which was well explained to me.

What could they have done better?

I cant think of anything

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

I wanted to change my adviser Mark has a good reputation

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

I needed the best advice that I could understand easily. I prefer to work with a small business

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I have been very pleased with his advice so far

What could they have done better?

No thoughts on this

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

Planning for retirement

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Setting up and review of a plan

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Still in progress, but a very good first impression

What could they have done better?

Nothing so far

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

small family business, planning for the future.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Advised us in several ways to put plans in place to help with my father's retirement. Mark has also assisted with many things within our business over the years including setting up and co-managing our SSAS.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and will continue to do so over the coming years.

What could they have done better?

No i don't think so.

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

On Becoming a Widow

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Great advice, always available, has helped increase my savings, was instrumental in getting compensation on a claim with financial ombudsman and is 100% reliable

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and more

What could they have done better?

No

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

We needed to change our financial adviser and Mark Hibbitt seemed the perfect choice

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark is patient and took time to explain our financially planning with us

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are confident with the outcome

What could they have done better?

We can think of nothing

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Mark

Very prompt response to my initial contact - appointment due in 2 weeks

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

I had just retired and needed quickly to decide what to do with my accumulated defined contribution fund. My employer's pension administrators at the time were slow in responding and eventually declined to release funds without my having consulted a financial adviser, directing me to Hargreaves Lansdown. Having applied to HL and waited months without any coherent assistance, I took another tack and approached Sovereign.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark met me promptly and carefully established my particular circumstances. At last I felt that I had an ally. He advised me what to do with my pension funds, taking into account changes in legislation that might arise in future, and took over their administration.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

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

My husband died 22 years ago and Sovereign IFA had been recommended to me to help with any finance and investment issues.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark took over 2/3 years ago from Graham McCausland and has continued the high standard of advice that I’d always received.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, 2020 has been a difficult year with Covid and my savings decreased in March but have now risen to above where they were a year ago. I know it is sensible to hang on and ride out financial losses and look to the long term. I'm glad I did.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I’m aware of.

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

I have retired from the NHS and required support and guidance whilst navigating an incredibly complex and tricky process.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

I am incredibly grateful for the thoughtful and dedicated service I have received from Mark. He went above and beyond in his support and in answering questions that I had. He has guided me through a process that has troubled me with care and attention and I am incredibly grateful for his professionalism.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely

What could they have done better?

In this scenario, nothing at all. Mark went above and beyond what I asked of him.

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

I wasn't happy with the previous financial advisor

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Clear advice and guidance - good understanding of our requirements - long term planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very much so

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I was not entirely happy with my previous advisor, and was looking for the right IFA.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark Hibbitt has an all encompassing approach which in retrospect I feel is so important, whilst Mark revamped my investments to the better he meticulously looks at the bigger picture. I believe this financial life planning to be so important. I have regular 6 monthly meetings with Mark everything is under continuous review. Stress Testing my portfolio as markets, investments or my situation changes. Mark took control of my private pensions consolidating them and guiding me to the best pension company. In retirement he has managed my draw downs to suit my requirements. I believe his knowledge of me and our relationship as being paramount.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very much so despite market volatility and worldwide issues, I feel financially in safe hands.

What could they have done better?

In honesty I cannot think of anything, Mark's gold standard and his approach to continuous improvement is refreshing.

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

Future planning

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Clear advice and guidance on what was required along with a balanced focus on risk.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

100% yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

Upcoming retirement releasing a tax free lump sum that required investment advice.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Reviewed opportunities and recommended investment plans and helped to set up a trust fund for our granddaughter.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing - I am completely satisfied with Mark's service.

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

1) Set up an employer pension scheme 2) Provide Investment Advice

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Undertook a detailed assessment to determine my financial position and risk appetite before recommending suitable pension plans. Also provided sound investment advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

No suggestions. Very happy with advice provided.

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

I was unhappy with the current Advisor I was using !

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Re mapped my whole future and I am pleased to say it has all worked out as planned

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

No , I followed his advice and was always found him to be easily contactable if and when I was uncertain of how to proceed or how to react to any financial problem that might occur!

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

We had pensions in several places and wanted to pull them altogether and attempt to retire early.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Pulled all our pensions to one place and purchase offices through a SSAS.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes it’s looking great at the moment.

What could they have done better?

Provide chocolate biscuits at our meetings, well pre Covid

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

Planning for retirement investments and inheritance.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Really reassuring and knowledgable advice. Great tools and frameworks to help with planning and decisions. Scenario planning and stress-testing.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we feel reassured and confident we’re making the right decisions.

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

We have been customers for over ten years using various services from mortgages advice to Retirement planning

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark provided unbiased advice for Retirement planning, providing projections and ISA information.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

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

Investment of redundancy payment and pensions advice, ie, I had several pensions with different companies and needed advice on what to do with them. Later we needed a comprehensive pension review as we wanted to discover our options for retirement.

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Mark produced a comprehensive presentation of our options for retirement and has closely monitored the performance of both ISA and pension investments.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are very satisfied with the performance of the ISA and pension.

What could they have done better?

I'm not aware of anything Mark could have done better.

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

We needed professional advise for our long term investments and pension

How has Mark Hibbitt helped you?

Advise given good and sound

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes its been fine up untill lockdown

What could they have done better?

we are very pleased with the way in which Mark has dealt with our investments in this very difficult period