Michael Smits

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

I had a reasonable amount of disposal income but it wasn’t being invested efficiently. I was also unhappy with the performance of my pension prior to engaging with Mike.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike has vastly improved the growth and visibility of my investments, whilst also ensuring they are diversified and as tax efficient as possible. Mike has also been a great person to have on hand to bounce ideas and general finance related queries off.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, absolutely.

What could they have done better?

Nothing in particular comes to mind.

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

As a ‘Deputy’ for my brothers financial affairs I had got to a point where I needed to transfer his Pension and other monies, in his best interests. I was recommended Michael Smits by a friend.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Michael has taken the worry about my brothers finances away from me and in the process has also explained everything.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely.

What could they have done better?

At this point in time I don’t think Michael could do better. I trust him to take the best decisions on my behalf.

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

Inheriting from parent

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Provided support and clear advice to us in a professional but friendly manner.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very happy with the ongoing support and service.

What could they have done better?

N/A

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

Need to find professional advice on investment

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He has consolidated our various finances and helped us structure our future thinking

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Needing professional advice on investment

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He has consolidated our finances, made recommendations for investments and pensions, and helped us structure our thinking about our future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Largely yes. Where we have been disappointed, this is due to market action and certainly not Michael!

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

I had a change of job from being an independent consultant to a senior executive position which changed my future earnings dramatically with a more complicated salary structure. At the time I found it very difficult to invest for myself and so was finding inertia in my savings pool as well as an inability to see the long term financial outcomes I was striving for.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He has provided investment planning / modelling, pension consolidation, tax efficient advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes absolutely. I am confident that my money is now working for me and I don't have to worry about it.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

unhappy with previous advisor

How has Michael Smits helped you?

clear and concise advice, answering all the queries that we had with our previous advisor including retirement planning and inheritance tax issues leading to excellent financial planning for our future

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 felt I needed advice on planning for my financial future, in particular looking ahead to retirement and making sure I have invested appropriately to deliver the standard of lifestyle I want to enjoy in my retirement.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Michael has given me excellent advice on managing my numerous company pensions from the various jobs I have had throughout my career including making sure I invest within annual pension contribution limits. This has made sure my long term investments have been as tax efficient as possible. Michael has also advised on likely investment amounts I need to make throughout the rest of my working life to ensure a financially sound retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far so good!

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind, I have been thoroughly impressed with the advice and level of service I have received.

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

An inheritance

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Always being at hand if I have a query but also having regular meetings to go over all issues relating to my finances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This is on-going

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I had an adviser before; needed a new one.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He has got a grip on my various financial interests, and guided me through a number of key steps, including over periods when I have had quite a lot of moving parts (divorce; house sales; promotions; the pandemic)

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I have been very happy with Mike's advice. I have a number of bespoke needs and priorities and he has a navigated them all beautifully

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

Overall review of finance and pensions

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Planning pensions, finding products adapted to our situation and being very available for any questions we have

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes very much, Mike has been very helpful and clear in his review and advices

What could they have done better?

Nothing come to mind

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

I am relatively knowledgeable financially but have always wanted someone professional to advise and work with to manage the complexities of a families finances. Mike was recommended to us.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike has helped us plan and model our financial situation both for now and in the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

The trigger for obtaining financial advice from Mike was redundancy. We needed to know what was best to do with the redundancy payment and our various pensions.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike has provided peace of mind for the future as to our financial affairs.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we have. It is still work in progress and will evolve as and when retirement age is reached.

What could they have done better?

We have been very satisfied with what Mike has done for us and have nothing to suggest that could have been done better.

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

We were concerned about our pensions outlook and the need for better financial planning for Retirement . I was particularly anxious about losing my income and if we could sustain a reaso lifestyle post retirement

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He has given us peace of mind and a sense of control such that I have been confident enough to set a retirement date and believe it is feasible without compromising our life style. I have greater understanding of the options open to me He has helped us make informed plans.

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?

Divorce and not knowing anything about financial planning

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike is really personable, he understands me as a person, is clear on my financial objectives and is great at giving options. Mike is calm and patient when explaining financial matters to me, he shares recommendations as well as detailing pros and cons. If i need to contact Mike, to discuss any concerns/issues, outside of our scheduled catch ups he will always make time.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Somewhat - however that is more to do with stock market etc performance rather than Mike

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

I had scattered, accumulated savings that were not benefitting me. Subsequently I had a more urgent need for a planned return from the funds available to me.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike explained the options, risk levels and the need for a combination of investments. He assisted me to a rounded set of investments that made the best of my limited funds in both long and short terms. He ensured that I placed my money so that it worked for me and my changing situation. He keeps this under review and adjusts where and when necessary. Mike always makes himself available and is quick to explain and offer reassurance. He is very well informed and I have confidence in his significant ability.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have seen my funds become organised and to start working for me, creating a return. I have also found a person, in Mike, who understands my concerns and whose advice I feel I can trust. His advice is smart and sensible.

What could they have done better?

If they could have stopped the pandemic and then the Ukrainian war, that would have been better.

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

Secure and easy to use. Good, simple advice for a novice saver.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Tells me what I can spend and how my money is working for me. I can always phone him for advice on money matters.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Things have been up in the air with covid.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really.

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

Retirement

How has Michael Smits helped you?

By providing good advice, sowing us what options are available.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Following the death of my husband the family home was sold and I needed advice on the best way to invest my share of the profit from the sale, our rental properties and also Inheritance planning.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike was very thorough in ascertaining what my priorities were for both the present and the future and helping me to achieve those goals through advice on my investments, pensions and rental properties. He also liaised with my husband's solicitor to clarify certain aspects of Inheritance Tax planning for me which was extremely helpful.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far, most definitely!

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I can think of.

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

We wanted to make our money work better for us. We wanted to plan for our future and we wanted an overview of our financial status.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Michael helped us to review our current spending, plan for the future and invest our money in ways that we were happy with.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We felt very reassured that we are financially secure. We have been delighted with the performance of the products Michael selected for us.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I had been starting to think about my EY pension plan arrangements ahead of my retirement and Metis Wealth had been recommended to me by an EY Partner who is supported by MW

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Mike has been incredibly helpful - and extremely patient with me (especially around explaining some EY pension issues that I didn't understand). Mike has not only taken me to the point of getting my SIPP set up, but also given me some great investment guidance with regards other savings that I have.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - I am very happy to be working with Metis Wealth.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - Mike is providing a superb service. Always proactive in terms of contacting me when key milestones are approaching.

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

Sadly I lost my Father in 2019 and Michael helped me to transfer his pension into my name. Not only is he extremely professional, he explained things very well and put my mind at ease with any concerns.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

As mentioned above, he explained things very well and was really nice to deal with.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not as yet but I'm confident that I will once I have my annual review.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I can think of.

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

investing my SIPP pension fund

How has Michael Smits helped you?

As above and with some tax advice; investing my SIPP pension fund, advising me on investments and further pension contributions, getting life insurance to cover possible tax due on a lifetime gift.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

What could they have done better?

Michael has always been helpful, attentive and understanding.

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

Pension consolidation and planning

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Arranged retirement income SIPP and provided regular planning updates.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Impending potential retirement

How has Michael Smits helped you?

Have practical, realistic advice about how to protect my hard earned cash and maximise quality of life as I decided to take a break from work He also advised me and enabled me to receive a tax rebate

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, so far but it is very early days ..

What could they have done better?

Nothing !

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

Early retirement pension

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He went through all our household income & expenditures now & plans for future. He reviewed a number of pensions I had & transferred to a more suitable option. He is very thorough when completing the risk assessment.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we meet annually to see that everything is on track and to discuss any change in circumstances and he is always available if I need advice.

What could they have done better?

Pensions is something I find difficult to understand and he was very patient even when he had to explain things over & over again. So I cannot think of anything he could have done better.

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

I run my own business and wanted to make sure that is making a goof profit and I wanted to ensure I could invest in a pension in the most tax efficient way.

How has Michael Smits helped you?

He looked at my circumstances in detail and provided good advice about consolidating my pensions and making regular investment in the future. Subsequently he has helped me to invest money from a property sale.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. The return to date has been good and I have a clear picture of the pension provision for the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.