Ben Lancaster

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.

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

As many people nearing retirement I am sure, the whole pension/financial advice area is a minefield for a lot of people, my wife and I were no different so we asked around and were pointed in the direction of Ben Lancaster who over the recent years had worked with/for several of my colleagues, one of which I trust implicitly who highly recommended talking to Ben in the irst instance, great advice.

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

From day one of engaging with my wife and I Ben has surpassed our expectations a million per cent, the advice given pointed us in the right direction and we were/are treated extremely well, and when we asked for a dumbed down version due to our inexperience Ben did this to great effect, way above our expectations, not only this but on each and every occasion for us to talk Ben has addressed our queries extremely fast and has always shown us he is prepared to go the extra mile(s) for us, which has been a great help/comfort to us in our retirement period, after 49 years of working in the sales arena I wished for someone who worked the same way I did for my clients (putting them first), Ben has not only achieved this he has gone way and above the level I was hoping for, thanks a million Ben.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are currently 90% through our initial set up for the future and so far our aims have been exactly as Ben indicated they would be, the remaining 10% is ongoing with my old pension provider and will be completed in the next few days.

What could they have done better?

To be honest nothing, Ben has stepped up to the mark and gone way, way above expectations.

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

Lack of clarity and poor service from our previous advisor.

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

Clear and well structured advice, all delivered in a friendly professional manner.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very happy with the performance of our portfolio.

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

Approach of retirement

How has Ben Lancaster helped you?

Helped to organize our savings/investments enabling us to have a secure retirement income and a provide a reassuring presence that our finances are being very ably looked after.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, we are very pleased with the financial benefits we are seeing from Ben’s advice, and so value the relationship we have built with Ben both professional and personal.

What could they have done better?

We don’t feel there are any negatives to express with the advice/support we have received. We couldn’t be more pleased with Ben’s performance