Clinton Askew

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

We had a lump sum to invest following the sale of a business

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

I had spoken to several potential advisors before being introduced to Clinton via a friend. All the others were only really interested in how much we had to invest and in recommending investments that would provide them with commission. Clinton, however, started by getting to know us, what mattered to us, what we hoped to achieve and over what time scale. Only after this did Clinton start to offer advice on how we should invest to achieve our goals.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We have been amazed at the returns on investment, despite the inevitable ups and downs of the financial markets. I particularly like Citywide's strategy of focusing on steady growth and not chasing the market.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - I have been please with every aspect of their service.

Clinton's reply

Thanks, Chris for your kind words. We really appreciate them. We continue to work hard to ensure you receive the best possible advice and that you continue to be financially independent and secure. I wish I could claim that we had the sexiest shoot the lights out investment strategy, but sadly, we simply capture capital market returns extremely effectively, and at a low cost. What more could you want!?

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

I had retired from the bank where I worked in 1995 with a large redundancy payment and was looking for advice on how to invest it to meet our financial objectives to satisfy our planned retirement.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Clinton asked us to concentrate on our personal objectives for a good quality of life and satisfactory life style into the future. He inspired us to adjust our financial planning to suit these objectives rather than exclusively focussing on high rates of return which might also be risky investments. He helped us, at a later stage, to plan our downsizing from a large home to a smaller one providing extra cash to meet our objectives of a comfortable life style together with financing our grandchildren’s education. Inheritance tax planning formed part of this strategy and he pointed us in the right direction to achieve it. We continue to enjoy excellent service and advice from Clinton and his team.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Indeed we have. His advice has always been invaluable in enabling us to set our objectives for a worry free retirement.

What could they have done better?

Difficult to say.

Clinton's reply

Thanks, Alan for your kind comments. It's been a privilege working with you, and looking back over the years I'm delighted that you have achieved so much for yourself and your family by following our advice. It's been a pleasure walking this path with you.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

Being young, self-employed, with a young family, and with no desire to join a traditional company with a pension scheme, I thought it sensible to get professional financial advice. That was some 30+ years ago.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Clinton has taken us on a successful financial path I am sure we would not have followed ourselves.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, very much so.

Clinton's reply

Lionel, I still recall with a wry smile all the decisions that could have been. The fact that you have chosen to work with us has been one of my enduring moments of joy, seeing all the moments of success that you have achieved over the years. It's hard to keep friends for 30 years, let alone a financial adviser. You've been kind in referring friends and family, and it's been a real pleasure advising you in one of our longest relationships.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

A pressurised sales pitch, by a previous potential adviser, made me re-evaluate the values of any financial company and person to whom I would be entrusting my hard-earned money. Clinton is refreshingly different, in that he takes a holistic approach towards his clients.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Clinton has helped to put my finances on a solid footing with sound, realistic advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely! I'm delighted with the performance of my portfolio, which has not only given me financial peace of mind but has enabled us to achieve some lifetime experiences.

Clinton's reply

Thanks, Annie for your kind words. You and Peter have been really influential in our success. It's always been a pleasure working with you, and I am delighted that you can enjoy financial independence and security now and into the future from our work together. It is lovely having you as a client.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

Sale of my business

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Many people measure their financial adviser on investment performance . But for me, my financial adviser is there to make my life easier and stop me having to think about my money, knowing it's being well looked after. Clinton and the team at Citywide do this really well.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, over the past 20+ years managing my money.

What could they have done better?

Citywide are a friendly firm and if you make a suggestion as to how they could improve their service, they're normally on it, straight away.

Clinton's reply

It's kind of you to leave a review, I'm grateful. It's been a journey with a few ups and downs, and I am glad that through it all we have been able to provide good counsel and sensible advice. To this day, I still remember your comment that our investment approach is not sexy but it is effective. It's a foundation on which we have been able to be a catalyst for good for you and for all our clients. Thanks, Mik.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

I needed to get an independent, unbiased professional assessment of my finances.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Provides clearly defined advice and strategies that focus on quality of life decisions that will provide reassurance and financial stability for me and my family

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It’s a journey rather than a destination in my opinion and whilst I am receiving desired outcomes there is a long way still to go.

What could they have done better?

Not too much that immediately comes to mind

Clinton's reply

Thanks, Andy. I remember our first meeting. There are few moments in everyone's life when you can make a real difference. That meeting was one of those moments. Thanks for trusting us. I know from everything that we've said and done over the years that we have made a real difference to you all, and I am looking forward to the next stages in your life.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

We wanted to create a financially secure future for post retirement and didn’t have the time or skills to create the right portfolio.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

He and his team have set up a balanced portfolio of investments which comply with the regulatory environment in which I work. This includes the same for our entire family.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, though the market isn’t great right now, the investments have performed well over the years and compared to their peer advisors.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - really pleased with the service.

Clinton's reply

Ian, thanks for your kind thoughts. You're a partner in one of the toughest regulatory environments around, and we are delighted that we have been able to ensure that you have been compliant with the regulations throughout and still achieve amazing results. The journey is not yet over and we are confident that you will go on to achieve great things.

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

Needed reliable professional help in an area in which we had no expertise

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Given us sound advice and pointed us in the right direction

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Do not know

Clinton's reply

Αndy, for the man whom the road ahead never quite ends, it's a source of enormous pleasure that we have been able to ensure that you continue to remain financially independent and secure. Long may this continue!

Review from verified client

April, 2023

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

Coming up to retirement I was not happy with the advice I was getting from my then adviser. Searched for another adviser and was recommended to contact Clinton.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

We have worked with Clinton and his team since 2009. We had a 2-3 hour meeting with Clinton in which we immediately felt comfortable with his philosophy and his approach to our financial security. In a word we "trusted " him and his team to handle our pension fund and wider finances in a way that suited our attitude to risk.Over the past 14 years that trust has grown and our financial security is in safe hands.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It would be true to say that the outcome we are seeing right now has exceeded our expectations from when we started in 2009. Over the years we have involved our sons with Citywide making the relationship "family affair".

What could they have done better?

With regard to our situation we can't think of anything that they could have done better for us.

Clinton's reply

Thanks Alan, we are delighted to have helped you. It’s always a pleasure to see how far you have come since our initial meeting. We look forward to looking after you over the years ahead. Clinton

Review from verified client

March, 2023

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

Self employed and looking for impartial advice as to how to deploy £££ in former corporate pension scheme and excess profits.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Improved my financial knowledge and helped me manage my £££

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Clinton's reply

Great to hear from you Philip. Thanks for all your support over the years. We are delighted that the initial advice we gave you has worked out so well. We have always valued our relationship with you and we look forward to being of service for many more years to come.

Review from verified client

March, 2023

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

Needed advice on savings, investments and retirement planning/pensions

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Fully understanding our life goals and priorities before considering how our finances need to support these.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - now retired with secure, tax efficient income that has exceeded our expectations

What could they have done better?

As with many small businesses, speed of response can suffer in times of growth and expansion.

Clinton's reply

Looking after you, Gerry, and your family has been one of our great successes. Building a relationship and maintaining it over decades with any client is a challenge, but you have always made it a pleasure. So thank you.

Review from verified client

March, 2023

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

Having received an inheritance from my mother, I need an expert to advise and manage my investment portfolio.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Clinton Askew has helped me in innumerable ways. Alongside his professional expertise, he has also been an ongoing personal advisor in managing my investment, explaining the financial terms and mechanisms all of which were new to me. Furthermore, he presents financial matters in their wider context - as illustrated in the regular newsletters he sends regarding ever-changing general financial issues.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The outcome has exceeded my expectations on every level - from financial investment returns to a very reassuring and personalised relationship with Clinton Askew and his Team.

What could they have done better?

I don't see anything that they could have done better. Five star!

Clinton's reply

Helping you make the most of your inheritance and ensuring your financial security has been a real achievement. Your portfolio continues to go from strength to strength. You are a delight to work with.

Review from verified client

March, 2023

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

Pensions are so complicated.

How has Clinton Askew helped you?

Clinton has done an excellent job of demystifying pensions and help me reach my financial goals for retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far, yes.

Clinton's reply

It’s great to have taken the mystery out of pensions, Marlene. I am delighted that you feel confident about reaching your financial goals, and I look forward to working with you for many years to come.