Ben Lancaster

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

Early Retirement Planning. Complex Pensions.

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

Ben has been amazing. I really do appreciate Bens extensive financial knowledge and expertise, he is extremely supportive, patient and has an excellent communication style.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to finish work early and enjoy a quality retirement with my family.

What could they have done better?

There is nothing that comes to mind.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Ben

I am just in the process of transfering to Ben as my financial adviser after many succesful years with his Father Jon. Although I have only met him once I found him very engaging, knowledgable and confident but also relaxed and friendly, just like his Father . I felt that he was genuinely interested in getting to know and understand me as he takes over my financial portfolio and I am confident that I will be able to work with him in a friendly and professional manner.

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

In 2022 I was promoted to a C-suite role which resulted in a fairly significant uplift in compensation. At the same time I had entered my 50s and with retirement potentially less than 10 years away it made sense to seek comprehensive financial advice.

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

Ben has spent a significant amount of time listening to and understanding my situation and financial needs, including a comprehensive evaluation of my risk attitude. After careful consideration he then made recommendations which were very well explained through detailed reports.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have been very happy with the results of my interaction with Ben in particular the simplification of my financial affairs but also the security that I get through knowledge that there is somebody thinking through options on a regular basis. I am particularly impressed with Ben’s availability to respond to questions, usually responding to emails on the same day and often within a couple of hours.

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?

Pension/retirement planning

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

Ben really listened to get an excellent understanding of our needs and then advised accordingly.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing we can think of could have gone better.

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

Arriving into my 50's, I was conscious of my own desire to retire early and enjoy life. So I started to overhaul my approach to financial planning and make it more of a 'front and centre' approach. Making each and every financial decision with relation to the long term strategy of retiring early. It became fundamentally clear that all the pension wealth had been created in one name (my own). This had come about, as together as a family unit, we had all decided that the children were best served by Jacqui being a full-time mum. This left my wife exposed to a major loss of income, if I pre-deceased her, if we stayed in the traditional arena of simply drawing my workplace pensions, (either early or at normal retirement age).

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

I was able with Ben's expert knowledge, assistance and guidance to retire early and leave the workplace in 2021 at the age of 56. The biggest strength that Ben has personally displayed (for me ) is his ability to sit and actually listen. His skill in active listening and intelligent questioning allowed him to identify not only my short-term goals, but my long term goals, my fears and my dreams too. How else can anyone truly understand and work on your behalf to fulfil not just a comfortable retirement, but a retirement that fulfils your dreams and ambitions, unless they take the time to develop and understand you as a person. This means that the relationship between my family and Ben has evolved from what started as a purely professional relationship, to one more akin of having a true close confidante, who is also a financial expert working on the family's behalf. His communication style is tailored to match our own needs, with regular updates, again delivered in the medium that fits in with ourselves. Any changes to be discussed, are always fully documented and sent through for ourselves to read and digest, well before any actual discussion on changes in strategy. This allows us a family the time to question and therefore fully understand the approach suggested, meaning that we feel fully empowered and involved in our own future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The outcomes that I have had over the years that I have been under Ben's stewardship, have far outstripped any ambitions that I had set initially in terms of personal net worth. With my investment pot still worth more than my initial investment, even after two years of draw downs and the fulfilment of some of mine and my family's dreams.

What could they have done better?

Nothing from the perspective of Ben, but I wish I had had the foresight to investigate the benefits of true financial planning much earlier in life.