Richard Veal

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

Wanting to trust someone to help me manage my hard earned income

How has Richard Veal helped you?

He is top drawer empathetic, and then clear in his bespoke advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The outcome I hope for is always exceeded

What could they have done better?

Been a relation or married me!!!! He's totally the calm, go-to, trusted intelligence.

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

I wanted to ensure that I was adequately planning for myself and my family, as well as optimizing my capital using the widest possible range of instruments to enhance my returns, commensurate with my risk appetite.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard provides clear and practical advice. He produces modelling to forecast potential outcomes for my investments, and structured overviews of different strategies that might positively affect those outcomes. He avoids jargon, provides balanced and comprehensive explanations on various solutions, and fact-based advice. He is always happy to give me his time and his service to me as a client is exemplary.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Since being with Richard, my investments have grown at an exceptional rate.

What could they have done better?

I can't think of anything that Richard could do better from a client service perspective.

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

Retirement financial planning for pensions, investments and protection.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard was able to provide a clear financial plan back in 2021 for my retirement. He facilitated my wife and myself to consider options that we had not thought about previously and together we created a plan that will allow me to retire early, something I had previously thought was not possible.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Through the advice Richard has provided I have been able to increase my investments, pension savings and maximised my tax benefits. It's also reassuring to have a clear and detailed plan which I can monitor over the years as I head towards my early retirement date. We're currently on plan one third of the way through the plan Richard developed, which given recent financial instability, is a real achievement.

What could they have done better?

I don't feel there was anything that could have been improved in the way Richard engaged. I never felt pressured to take out new pension, investment or protection products, although I have done all three, but on my terms which was one of the most reassuring aspects of the engagement with Richard.

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

Understand if I am on path to retire with enough savings/pension.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has helped me to use tax efficiencies allowing me to make significant pension contributions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing at this stage.

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

I was looking for consolidation of my various workplace pensions, and to take out a private pension.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Helped organise myself to achieve early retirement option at 55. Also taking a lot of the administration of arranging this.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

N/A

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

I needed to contract out my existing pension scheme from a major bank to give me additional flexibility.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard inherited my portfolio from a colleague. At the point of transfer and shortly thereafter, my portfolio performance was not in line with my hopes and expectations. Since Richard has been involved this has changed materially through his highly professional approach - listening to my objectives and proactively making recommendations to change the structure of my portfolio (pension fund and wider investments). I am now in a position where I am very happy with current portfolio structure and performance. The regular reviews we have are valuable time to help me understand my own personal circumstances and portfolio alongside the wider economic and financial landscape in which we all operate.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes as I said since Richard's involvement in my portfolio.

What could they have done better?

Nothing!

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

I was introduced to Richard via SJP, and immediately felt at ease. His understanding of my objectives/plans and approach has always been so helpful giving me the confidence I needed to manage my funds more effectively.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Helping me no end with plans and making the most out of my investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes! I wouldn't be where I am without the constant conversations and decisions we made together.

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

Reaching 50! I decided that I needed to act on professional advice, rather than go it alone.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has helped me to understand the complexities of financial planning, making it simple to understand, with clear steps of what I need to do and what the benefits could be. He has been great with not trying to do everything at once, with no pressure.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

early days, but its on the right path.

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

Starting to accumulate wealth and needed advice

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard is a great sounding board, including through some quite significant life events where my wealth decumulated and I needed to replan. He is always approachable, trustworthy, remind me on utilising eg my pension, does not push products on you, and has helped connect me into other services

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

I started working with SJP just over 10 years ago. I needed a trusted advisor who would understand my goals and could not only manage my assets but also guide on how best to prepare for the future.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard is always available at short notice. He remembers what we discussed in earlier calls and has a good view on my situation. So we can go straight to the topic I want to discuss. He provides immediate and thorough feedback and advice. Richard responds to what I want rather than selling more products or services.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we always conclude our conversation with an action plan which gets executed rather quickly.

What could they have done better?

Nothing, I am very happy with the way we interact today.

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

I needed clear advice how to streamline my various pension pots and other investments to ensure a good income over my imminent retirement

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Regular discussions on my changing circumstances, inheritance desires and keeping up with world affairs to ensure the income was appropriately invested in the right split (equities/bonds) for my risk appetite.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Due to joint concern over a recent period of overpriced bonds, we decided to lower our exposure to this sector. This one action has saved my a potential big drop in overall performance compared to many passive pension investors who have relied upon pension companies "lifestyling" their investments as they get to pension age. Not always the desired outcome. The active portfolio review was key to that decision.

What could they have done better?

Better tracking of investments over time (ideally in a simple app) in the way that some robo investors are able to present. However, I understand this is in hand, so I will be eager to see the result.

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

I wanted my savings to be in the right place

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard Veal listens. He gets me. He has a big picture approach and listens to the complexities I have, and knows all the complexities the world brings to our financial worlds. His advice is always grounded in integrity. He is knowledgeable, articulate, clear, approachable, prepared, empathetic, confident, and expert in his financial and emotional intelligence.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing whatsoever

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

To make my investments more productive to support my career change.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Providing a tailored investment plan and pension plan to support my new career change and retirement

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing at this time of the programme

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

To make sure the majority of savings were in one place where they could be professionally managed

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard understands my requirements for investing and returns and recommends appropriate strategy without trying to push other products. Overall very happy with the service and investment strategy and Richard is always available to discuss and clarify any concerns.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The planning has helped me to understanding what my overall financial position looks like at a given time and make informed decisions around this.

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

Earning increases - Wanted to plan for future. Got married Had children

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Reviewed finances, created a plan, changed investment portfolio.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Richard

I have found Richard to be very knowledgeable, thorough and particularly patient in explaining complex (for me) financial issues in a simple language that i can digest. Would happily recommend

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

Inheritance and then financial/pension transfer advice as part of divorce proceedings

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Listened to situation and looked at different options. I feel confident that he will continue to help guide me through financial components of divorce. Left zoom session feeling I am in ''safe hands''.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Ongoing!

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

We wanted to start planning for future financial stability, retirement and to cover our children’s university expenses

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has been invaluable in supporting my husband and I to assess our financial situation. As a consequence of working with him, he has assisted us in becoming more effective in our future planning. He has a wealth of knowledge and has been patient and approachable in answering all our questions. From the outset we felt we could trust Richard’s opinion and experience. We look forward to continuing to work with him.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Beginning to

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

Pension planning

How has Richard Veal helped you?

My wife and I have been working with Richard and the Pinnacle team to review our financial plans to retirement. Richard has been able to provide some excellent advice on how to structure things around pensions and other investments, along with impartial advice around additional protection, and other advice around taxation, to allows us to achieve our life goals in retirement. We've really appreciated Richard's attention to detail and openness whilst reviewing what is an incredibly complex financial landscape; Richard has managed to build a trusted relationship that we're looking forward to continuing in the long-term moving forwards. Thanks for all the advice and time you've invested to answer all our questions and give us the confidence in our financial plans for the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes so far - received a very comprehensive financial plan that has allowed me to rationalise my existing plans and pensions and also fill some gaps, including essential protection for the family.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really springs to mind - I was extremely pleased from beginning to end.

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

Looking to plan properly for the future once started a family.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Combination of advice, support and guidance in relation to additional saving plans, and analysis of pension holdings vs future needs.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In uncertain times, i have been given a degree of certainty, with returns ahead of the wider market. So comforting and rewarding.

What could they have done better?

I can only thank Richard for the patience he has shown towards me :)

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

I was looking for expert but personal pension advice.

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Richard has provided superb one-2-one service at regular intervals or on request if I hae any questions, update sor concerns. He is always prompt to respond and find solutions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes in the short term but pensions are all about long term.

What could they have done better?

It would have been nice if Richard had been managing my account from the outset and then who knows :-)

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

Planning for retirement

How has Richard Veal helped you?

Advise with regard to a balanced and ethical portfolio of pension investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Richard has provided excellent quality advice throughout and, as an added bonus, is good company

What could they have done better?

St James’ provides good value for its managed services overall - especially when considering the potential savings through tax efficiency - but it’s always nice to reduce management fees as much as possible!