Gillian Shirt

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

After taking voluntary redundancy from my employer and approaching my retirement, I required advice as to either retaining my company pension or transferring it to a drawdown pension. I was looking for a local adviser who I felt comfortable with.

How has Gillian Shirt helped you?

Gillian has helped me and my wife in our pension planning. I have transferred my pension to a drawdown pension, following a full review as to our circumstances and intentions. Gillian has also consolidated my wife's pensions.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Gillian has been supportive over the past few years, especially when there have been blips in the markets. By working with Gillian, we have utilised drawdown options to facilitate home improvements and a regular income. Regular cashflow reviews are undertaken so that we know where we stand now and can plan for the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Gillian

I have had the pleasure to work with Gillian over the last 12 months on a number of high value Court of Protection matters. I have found Gillian to be very knowledgeable in this area. She understands the needs of my clients and tailors her recommendations to their particular circumstances. I would be happy to recommend her services in the future.

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

I wanted to consolidate my investments and ensure they were ethically invested.

How has Gillian Shirt helped you?

Gillian did a thorough review of my pensions, savings and ISAs and listened to my requirements around making it easy to track progress by keeping them all in one place, and ensuring they were invested ethically. She investigated different ethical investments and fed back on the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, enabling me to make an informed approach.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have consolidated my investments and are happy that they are being actively managed by someone who understands my values. Gillian compares how my ethical portfolio performs vs. more generalised investments, and recently has provided information on a different ethically invested scheme that is performing better. I don't feel that investing ethically has to be a compromise and am confident Gillian has my best interests at heart.

What could they have done better?

Nothing!

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Gillian

Prompt response followed by in depth discussion on service provision and costs of service. Offer of further follow up meeting on business premises at no additional cost.

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

Retirement and the need to invest

How has Gillian Shirt helped you?

She understands my requirements and explains all options

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I request funds each year and these have been managed with remarkable tax efficiency. A draw down of £40,000 incurred a tax demand of 34 pence!

What could they have done better?

She couldn't!