James Marlow

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

As a business owner I am constantly looking at various aspects of financial and tax planning.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James has an excellent level of knowledge in financial advice and often I utilise this to help with my own understanding when reviewing tax positions etc and where I can utilise products and opportunities.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

I was approaching retirement and wanted advice on my pension

How has James Marlow helped you?

James was very thorough going through a detailed questionnaire with cash flow forecasting with myself and my wife to determine the level of income required to include state pensions and ongoing income. From this he determined the income required from my pension and went through the options of annuities and drawdown. He then explained 'Risk' and the funds that would meet my risk requirement and the income being taken.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have and it is much clearer with a plan set up. Drawdown was recommended as an annuity did not meet our requirements. James also reassured us through the cash flow that my pension fund should not be exhausted during my lifetime

What could they have done better?

I could not have asked for anything more

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

Investments and Pensions

How has James Marlow helped you?

James has consolidated multiple pensions for my wife and I, defined a tailored investment plan across stock and fund investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - the process of consolidation was smooth and performance has outperformed markets / benchmarks

What could they have done better?

Nothing - everything has worked very smoothly

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

Pension advice and savings/investment advice.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James has always been extremely helpful and given an excellent service with pension advice and advice for my savings and investments. I trust his insight into my requirements for the future and have total confidence in him as a financial advisor.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, everything is on track to where I wish to be in the next few years.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James was recommended by a friend. James listened carefully to what was important to me and clearly understood my needs. What was most important to me was that he gave me key points to consider before proceeding to the advice stage. The no pressure approach was very reassuring.

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

Pension advice

How has James Marlow helped you?

James helped me with investments with my oensiin

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

N/A.

How has James Marlow helped you?

Consummate professional who listens to you and works to meet your needs and not own agenda

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Always

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

already a client

How has James Marlow helped you?

understood my needs

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes

What could they have done better?

happy with the service

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

My sister and I were looking for a financial adviser to handle our Mother's affairs.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James was extremely helpful and knowledgeable on all matters concerning Mum's affairs. His communication was excellent and his caring nature meant that we were completely trusting and confident in his advice. He was very helpful and responsive in all areas and most importantly he invested the family money wisely to suit the circumstances. I would have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The choice of investment completely suited our needs and performed well.

What could they have done better?

None - we were completely satisfied with all aspects of the service.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

Extremely professional, gave honest clear advice. Really impressed by James

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

Advise on Private Pension, Savings bonds, Life Inurance.

How has James Marlow helped you?

He help me to understand my financial situation, which I had struggled with over the years.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Allowing for the world situation, things are improving nicely.

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind.

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

LOOKING TO INVEST MONEY AND REVIEW MY PENSION

How has James Marlow helped you?

JAMES HAS GIVEN ME EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ADVICE ON INVESTMENTS AND PENSIONS. HE IS ALWAYS AVALIABLE TO ANSWER AND QUESTIONS AND IS VERY PROMPT WITH HIS REPILES AND ADVICE

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

JAMES HAS GIVEN ME EXCELLENT ADVICE AND HAVE SEEN MY INVESTMENTS GROE

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

Just retired

How has James Marlow helped you?

He has help us spread our portfolio wider

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes better than I expected

What could they have done better?

not a lot really

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James is a very professional, highly knowledgeable individual. The service and advice he gives is unrivalled, for me it was a refreshing change to deal with someone you can trust and actually genuinely cares about their clients. Could not recommend enough.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James took time to clearly explain the process and was very transparent on costs and fees, making me feel fully informed without over complicating it.

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

Looking for saving advice and to manage investments

How has James Marlow helped you?

Helpful in explaining investment options

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?

Pension planning

How has James Marlow helped you?

Financial future planning

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?

Full financial review, particularly pensions

How has James Marlow helped you?

Taken time to fully understand our requirements both shorter and longer term. Undertaken financial risk assessment to tailor our investment portfolio

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing, very happy

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James was really helpful going through my pension options with me and spoke in plain English so I was able to understand. I took the advice he gave me and am very happy with the decision we made and would highly recommend James to anyone

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

Our meetings with James have been conducted in a friendly and efficient manner.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

Following our consultations, James provided us with very clear advice explaining our options, he then managed the agreed restructuring efficiently and in a timely manner. As a result we feel confident that our financial arrangements are now optimised and far better aligned with our personal circumstances.

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

Annual review of my investments and pensions portfolio

How has James Marlow helped you?

Awareness and help maximising the return on ourinvestments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Various suggestions and proposed financing models

What could they have done better?

Nothing ?

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

I was retiring and had sold the shares in the company so I had a lump sum of money to invest

How has James Marlow helped you?

James provided an overall wealth management strategy including pension investment, based on an agreed monthly drawdown

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This is too early to determine as I only undertook the investments 3 months ago

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

Ongoing annual review

How has James Marlow helped you?

Regular contact and prior to review clearly undertaken significant preparatory work. Discussed and listened and came up with solutions

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?

Pension transfer

How has James Marlow helped you?

professional guidance and safety net advice

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - greater independence and control

What could they have done better?

I would like to see faster response times, particularly around withdrawals when decision made to take lump sum

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

To re-evaluate current pensions, savings etc

How has James Marlow helped you?

Re-evaluated current savings/pensions. Consolidated to get the best outcome.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This is the start of our business relationship. Outcomes will be shown in time.

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

Financial review following inheritance received

How has James Marlow helped you?

Complete review of current financial position, listened to what we were looking for, made recommendations

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing, very satisfied with service provided

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

Inheritance

How has James Marlow helped you?

James has been very approachable and nothing has been too much trouble.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I am more than happy with the advice provided.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

We had used Armstrong Watson in the past (for pensions advice in 2008/9 or thereabouts) and they gave excellent advice. On that basis we returned when we recently came into a substantial n inheritance.

How has James Marlow helped you?

Thorough, friendly advice to help us choose the best balance of risk and reward for us and for our children/ grandchildren in the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far!

What could they have done better?

Not much!

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

Looking to retire

How has James Marlow helped you?

Great advice and very responsive to personal circumstances

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

No

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

In 2012 on my retirement Armstrong Watson set up a SIPP on my behalf with A.J. Bell. Since then Armstrong Watson have managed my SIPP. The service provided by Armstrong Watson has been good. This has particularly been the case during the last few years when my SIPP account has been managed by James Marlow.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James has always been accessible, and helpful when advising me on financial matters, for which I require guidance from a person that I can trust. I believe that I can trust James.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Since the COVID pandemic the return on my investments in my SIPP have not been what I had hoped for, but this is no fault of Armstrong Watson.

What could they have done better?

I cannot fault James on the service and advice given to me by James Marlow.

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

I had some money to reinvest after the sale of my previous house.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James discussed my objectives and how I can achieve these and we discussed inheritance tax. I also asked about possible Equity Release in the future and we discussed this to my satisfaction.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It is early days as I only reinvested at the beginning of this year.

What could they have done better?

Nothing I can think of.

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

My partner was retiring

How has James Marlow helped you?

Investment advice putting me in the right risk category

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not had time yet

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

Nearing retirement

How has James Marlow helped you?

Advise on all investment

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far

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

We were looking for someone to advise us on the best financial investments to suit our needs.

How has James Marlow helped you?

James Marlow was always very approachable, and made the process easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It's early days to make a comment on the outcome of the investment. But with James help hopefully we have made the right decisions.

What could they have done better?

Nothing really.

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

A desire to consolidate pension and savings investments, and apply a more active management of the investment pool

How has James Marlow helped you?

Identifying a strategy to manage a portfolio of pension and investment assets, and considering different non-traditional investment options

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely - the outcome was exactly what I was hoping for and the discussions with James and colleagues throughout the process were very reassuring and enlightening

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

Planning to retire at 55 and needed advice on making most use of pension pots and achieve quality of life ambitions

How has James Marlow helped you?

Advice , review of options available and aligning my needs with possibilities from pension pot

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes James continues to provide support and gives me confidence in making the most out of the pension I have both now and in the future

What could they have done better?

Can’t think of anything James has been a great support and continues to be

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

Previous financial advisor ceased trading

How has James Marlow helped you?

Investment advice Longer term financial planning advice around retirement

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, pleased so far

What could they have done better?

Nothing

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James was very friendly, approachable, and professional during our first meeting which offered some great advice.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James has provided Financial Wellbeing webinars for our employees and they have been really useful. The sessions were tailored to the areas our employees wanted to know more about. We have received great feedback about the sessions and how useful and informative they were. I would recommend anyone putting on this type of event for their employees. James was very open and friendly and easy to deal with which when talking about potentially personal financial matters is so important. I am sure we will work with James again in the future.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James took time to understand my requirements and offered some possibilities I had not thought of. His knowledge was excellent

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

Retirement advice.

How has James Marlow helped you?

Guided me through the process of adjusting investments and pension advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

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

Some close friends needed to rely on critical illness which has made things much easier for them, I wanted to find someone who could help with this.

How has James Marlow helped you?

What I most liked about going through the process is that I feel valued and that I’ve really learned a lot. James has continuously kept me informed throughout with a high level of open communication which I really liked.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I can relax knowing that in any event I am financially secure which is a great feeling to have.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I have a young family and recently changed my mortgage so wanted to ensure I had the right level of protection incase things went wrong

How has James Marlow helped you?

James was really helpful, he took his time to get to know me and understand my concerns and what I was hoping to achieve. He was then able to clearly articulate the key areas and features of protection which I needed to protect myself and the family. I would highly recommend, especially for those who haven't used an adviser before and want to take their time without any pressures.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely, very happy to have the reassurance now

What could they have done better?

n/a

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James has a great knowledge of products available and provided a clear explanation of what most suited our requirements. I’m very confident we have received the best advice

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

A very pleasant experience so far with James. He has taken on board our wishes, listened and provide advice with a clear explanation of what is available

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James was very friendly, really listened, took on board my information and returned very promptly with a number of suggestions. I found James to be very open and honest, I felt that he had a genuine interest in helping me understand all of my options to ensure I can make an informed decision with regards to my finances.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

Found James to be very professional, we discussed all aspects of our current financial affairs and plans for the future with James offering advice on how we could achieve our goals.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with James

James impressed by covering a comprehensive set of factors relating to my and my wife’s possible financial futures, taking care to go beyond the specific matters I had asked about.