Shabbar Kassam

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Shabbar

Great meeting with Shabbar and chatting about what I want from my investments and life enjoyment.

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

We were looking for clear guidance for business investment.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Starting with an initial discovery we set to work on goals. From here, Shabbar setup a dashboard and we created various retirement scenarios, plotting in key milestones and expenses. Shabbar then went on to work with us on the business investment and came up with various different scenarios depending on our investments.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far we have peace of mind. We are just at the start of our journey with Lumos and have benefited greatly from the guidance given so far. We have been able to take action rather than be paralysed over decision making.

What could they have done better?

The communication and service has been spot on throughout, I don't think they could have done anything else.

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

After having a bad experience with an FA many years ago, I’d spent the best part of 30 years managing my own and my family’s investments. Whilst there have been some facets of this I’ve enjoyed, I’d found it increasingly difficult and stressful keeping on top of the various Pensions, ISAs, Junior ISA’s etc for the 5 of us.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Initially Shabbar carried out a full review of all the family finances, partly so I could check I’d done a reasonable job, but mainly to help my wife and I plan for the key events of the next few years; potential university fees, kid’s taking control of their own finances as they hit 18, and the biggie - retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Shabbar’s review was amazing. Just bringing everything together and demonstrating what we would have and when was fantastic. Being able to plan and re-plan based on various ideas and scenarios easily and accurately gave us real peace of mind. Then there was the added bonus of some great ideas around tax efficiency, which investments to use and when, and how to get the most out of the various savings pots. We were so impressed that we’ve now transferred most of our investments into portfolios which Shabbar was able to recommend, based on our plans and attitude to risk. It feels great having someone you trust “on call” when things come up that may impact on “the plan”, and also to help the migration of investments to the kids as they hit 18 and take control of their own investments.

What could they have done better?

Been around 30 years ago!

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

Assisting my mother find the best service.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar made the whole experience very simple and gave reassurance and guidance along the way.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutley!

What could they have done better?

n/a

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

Financial planning pre retirement

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar completed a thorough projection via a modelling tool of how our finances would look once we retired

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We both found it very useful and fortunately re-assuring exercise to do and we can plan for the future with a greater level of confidence, I would definitely recommend this to anyone to get a clearer picture of what they expect retirement to look like financially and have the time to react if needed

What could they have done better?

We were very happy with the service, which was impressive and comprehensive, at this stage I don't think there is anything I could suggest for improvement

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

I was paying into an occupational pension and AVC, I had some other historic personal pensions and my wife and I had some cash savings. We wanted to get our finances straight and see if we could use our money better.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

My wife and I first got in contact with Shabbar a few years ago because we were looking ahead a few years to our probable retirement ages and wanted to get a clear picture of what our finances would look like. We wanted advice on what steps we could take to enhance our pension income and how we could use our savings to their best advantage. Shabbar has helped to make this important aspect of our lives go as smoothly as possible. He took time to get to know us and to find out about our plans for the future and our attitudes towards risk with respect to investments. We have appreciated his very personable manner and professionalism during all of our dealings, whether visiting us in our home, on the phone or via email. Shabbar has clearly explained the various options and recommendations for our finances and put in place all the necessary paperwork to make them a reality.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In short, yes. My various pension pots have been consolidated and have grown and our savings investments have shown greater growth than they did before. We have a much clearer picture of how our retirement finances will look.

What could they have done better?

It is hard to say what could have been done better. We have had regular conversations with our adviser, during which he has explained his ideas and the products available. Once we have agreed on a course of action, he has provided clear instructions on what has needed to be done.

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

Property purchase

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar has been excellent in the purchase of my investment and residential property. He goes out of his way to make sure everything is done well, quickly, all while getting you the best pricing. His advice has been greatly valued and I will no doubt continue to use him the future. Highly recommended.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing, was excellent, quick and found the best deal

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

I needed to transfer an old company pension and additional pension plans to one consolidated plan

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Organised all the pension plan transfers

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I can honestly say that nothing else could have been better organised and explained better to me

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

My grandmother needed help regarding an equity release for a lease extension.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

He talked us through what types of equity release we could get and listened to what we wanted to achieve from the product we’d eventually chose.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. He was wonderful. The hold-ups in the process were from other involved pattern. He checked in regularly with us and helped chase the solicitors for information.

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

Retirement

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

He explained everything well and gave advice suitable to our situation

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This year has been a bit strange with the Covid, but I am satisfied with how things are progressing.

What could they have done better?

I once took time off to go to his office and he wasn't there.

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

For a variety of issues relating to our future financial future and being confident we had enough to sustain us. Nationwide gave us a web site to look for someone and we found Shabbar.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar gave us all round advice on our finances and what to do. It was good to sit with him and he made us itemise outgoings etc.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes indeed we have thanks to him.

What could they have done better?

Really nothing . He is such a charming and professional person and so good at explaining options to elderly people like us.

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

I had finances in various investments and I wanted to bring them together.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

He advised me which ones were worth keeping on and which ones were not.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Shabbar helps me in all kinds of financial issues.

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

New mortgage & equity release

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar helped source a few lenders that were able to release equity and provide new lending in a very speedy and efficient manner.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing - his service was on point.

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

The reduction in interest rates from our savings.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

He provided the advice to enable us to reinvest our savings.

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 wanted to make my mortgage do more for me.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

I was looking for a financial advisor and was recommended to Shabbar Kassam who offered a professional friendly service, always approachable, helpful and knowledgeable.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

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

refinance of a new investment property.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

provided options for refinance with various lenders. searched whole of the market to provide the most cost competitive quote

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

absolutely - both for mortgages and protection

What could they have done better?

he serviced my needs and provided very sound advise and reasoning. very happy with services provided

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

Refinancing a mortgage

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar was extremely helpful with the advise which was given and gave me enough options in order for me to make the right decision

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

We decided to look for financial advice as we were not happy with the level of cover we had on our life insurance and critical illness. As a result we asked Shabbar to review our policy and discuss alternatives.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Shabbar assisted us by providing sound impartial advise on what product(s) would best suit tour needs. We didn't feel pressured to take out a new policy at all. He took care of everything and made the process extremely easy for us.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we got a new policy that works better for us and covers what we need. Overall it was a positive experience.

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

I became self employed and Shabbar was amazing in guiding me

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

he set me up for a life insurance policy with Aviva, guided me on savings, pensions, property ladder and was always available last minute for chats

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

due to covid I had to cancel my policy , but once in a better place will look back into it

What could they have done better?

he's been amazing , I will need to speak with him soon at some point

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

I felt the need to have peace of mind by ensuring that if an unfortunate / unforeseen situation arose then myself and my family would be covered.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

Engaging with an expert like Shabbar was the best way forward as I was given unbiased, detailed and genuine information to enable important, practical decisions to be made. Shabbar was patient & willing to answer a range of questions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes indeed. My key goal was to feel at ease in knowing that me and my family are covered with products which meet our requirements in the event of the unexpected and beyond.

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

Took voluntary redundancy from work and needed to secure my future financially.

How has Shabbar Kassam helped you?

He sorted out my savings and investments and generally tidied up my affairs.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I have peace of mind and am very happy with the outcome.

What could they have done better?

I doubt I could have found a better service.