Vanessa Townshend

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

To make the best use of my pension.

How has Vanessa Townshend helped you?

Given me excellent advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Tax rules are sufficiently complicated that it would take more time than I wish to spend to understand them fully. I manage some of my own investments, but wish to spread the risk.

How has Vanessa Townshend helped you?

The adviser firm that I have used for many years has been sold on, on the retirement of its Principal, and Vanessa is a new adviser for me as a consequence. At the moment it is 'businees as usual', but plans will need to be changed to take account of proposed changes to IHT. Products managed are: ISA, SIPP, overseas bond for a Will trust.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In the longer term, returns have been tracking my own investments, i.e. increased return is covering the advice fee. But I can use the advice too for things that are beyond my expertise, such as IHT. I also have the comfort of spread risk.

What could they have done better?

I felt a bit 'in the dark' during the transition process, but accept that doing this in a personal way was always going to take time.

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

Approaching retirement, considering pension options and long term financial planning.

How has Vanessa Townshend helped you?

First class help and advice to understand the pension and tax rules and regulations, then guidance to help me choose the right options going forward and the administration of those choices.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Despite the difficult UK and world wide economic instability over the last few years, the investments and savings have been sufficiently resilient with acceptable growth, if not quite as strong as initially hoped for at the outset.

What could they have done better?

In the absence of a crystal ball, nothing.

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

We knew that we were exceeding the Inheritance Tax Thresholds and wanted to minimise our exposure to Inheritance Tax. This would become even more of a problem in 2027 when pension pots will also be included as part of an estate, so wanted to act now.

How has Vanessa Townshend helped you?

Vanessa explained a number of different ways to reduce our liability to IHT, some of which we weren't previously aware of. She discussed the benefits and risks of each option without pushing us in any particular direction, leaving us to make the final decisions. She also advised on which of our current assets we should continue to hold, in preference to others, which was also really useful.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We left our meeting with Vanessa with a clear mind of what we wanted to do to reduce our potential liability to IHT.

What could they have done better?

Vanessa could not have been more friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about our financial circumstances. We wouldn't hesitate to go back to her again in future.

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

Vanessa already supported our family from previous generations, so decided to continue with our investments

How has Vanessa Townshend helped you?

Support with family trust fund, also help & advise with inheritance & pension

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, encouraging growth & helpful support

What could they have done better?

I have found Vanessa very friendly & helpful, so nothing to improve