Andrew Elson

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

Our family were in confusion over the amount of money we had , how to take care of it and because we were in our late 50s we needed to plan for retirement.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He sorted out the mess that was our finances.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

More than !

What could they have done better?

Considering the amount of wealth we have I expected the best, that`s what I got. Could he have done thing better? I don`t think so. my wife and I are now enjoying a very comfortable retirement and we know the future is secure.

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

I wanted to see if I could retire as I no longer enjoyed my job and wanted more time with family and friends

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew reviewed my pensions and investments and put a plan together proving I could retire and helped me put it all in place

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?

Increased regular income meant we wanted to save wisely

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew’s advice and guidance over the years has been superb. We trust him completely due to his incredible knowledge and interpretation of the financial world of which we understand very little. Yet he takes time to explain everything in a clear straightforward way.He is extremely professional in his approach combined with a highly personable manner. He understands our needs, always asks about the family and responds promptly to any queries or concerns we may have

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely yes ! Because of Andrew’s wise counsel we have no financial worries at all as we enjoy retirement with the fruits of our investments. We are comfortably well off, the family are well cared for and Andrew even helped us sort our wills and power of attorney. We would not be in this position if it were not for Andrew

What could they have done better?

Simply nothing

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

To ensure that I had enough money in retirement

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and his team have the knowledge and skills to help me navigate through the complex nature of financial planning

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes with Andrews advice and guidance I now feel my finance are secure for the future.

What could they have done better?

I honestly believe that the service Andrew and his team provide is exemplary and currently there is nothing to improve.

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

DESIRE TO OBTAIN A BETTER RETURN ON MY INVESTMENTS

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

SOUND ADVICE, AND EXCELLENT INVESTMENT DECISIONS

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

YES

What could they have done better?

NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

We met Andrew and some of his team last week and from the beginning we were very impressed the profesional and personal way they handled our financial situation. We are looking forward to becoming clients.

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

I originally asked Andrew to review my finances as I was made redundant aged 58 and wanted to be sure my financial situation would allow me to retire at that point.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

The financial review was completed, my finances restructured and a financial plan put in place for both myself and my wife. Andrew took over the management of all of our investments and gave us a structured plan to work to.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

12 years later we are still happily retired and are living a comfortable lifestyle. We have no financial worries. We have regular reviews with Andrew and have taken his advice and adapted our financial plan, as and when, required. Andrew has also managed our inheritance from my wife's mothers estate when she died recently. The key things we have gained is Financial Security and complete confidence in the Berry and Oak team to mange our finances.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. The service we have received has been first rate.

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

We had found other ways of investing, that we knew a little about, increasingly difficult and needed expert advice!

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

In such a wide variety of ways. We’ve learned so much and been able to implement and benefit from things that we didn’t even know existed.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely!

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

I needed professional advice on investment and financial planning for the future, especially to safeguard my income in retirement

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew did a very thorough initial review of my finances,. He assessed where I was at, and what my aspirations were, for the future. A plan was put in place, to help achieve my aspirations

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I have

What could they have done better?

I have been happy with everything. Especially useful is that Andrew responds quickly when advice is needed at short notice

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

Needed a change as previous adviser's firm was taken over.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Hugely!!

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

More than

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

In our 60s and expats returning to UK. Consolidation of assets

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has helped us consolidate an array of underperforming and disjointed investments into one clear planning pathway. He has contacts who can handle non core aspects such as wills and is always available

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Too early in the process to discern returns but rather complicated consolidations built up over many years are well under way. What we were really hoping for was an approachable and diligent expert from a more tailored, boutique business and this we have now

What could they have done better?

Nothing. All has been excellent so far

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

Huge knowledge, sympathetic and always reachable. Has completely restructured our assets which really needed doing as we were so disorganised and long term expats returning to the UK

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

As a widow in retirement, I was worried what to do with my bank savings and investments. So needed help and reassurance.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He has been a constant source of support and gives me peace of mind I will be alright.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - Investments have outperformed my expectations and have helped fund my retirement.

What could they have done better?

nothing - all very good

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

I had an array of pensions, investments and rental properties and they were becoming a burden and I didn’t know what to do - I needed help.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew helped organise it into a manageable portfolio, giving me the options and reasons to take action in a language I understood.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I am now enjoying retirement doing the things I want without financial worry

What could they have done better?

Nothing - I am really happy

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

I have worked with Andrew and his team for 25 years since retiring. Advice on pensions and investments helped us move house and have an enjoyable retirement.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He has always been there to support me with answers to my questions and support with life issues as we get older.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely

What could they have done better?

Nothing - they have supported me so well

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

I was planning to retire early and needed professional advice on whether this was sensible and sustainable in the long term.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew conducted a full financial review for me and produced a detailed report that showed early retirement was achievable. He also developed a long term Financial Plan which demonstrated I would not run out of money in the the long term.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely yes!!! I am now into my 10th year of a happy retirement and comfortable in the knowledge that my ongoing financial plan is on target and my financial security is assured through the managed investments, regular financial reviews and excellent support that Andrew and his team provides.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Excellent service all round.

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

I was retiring and had a range of pensions and investments and didn't know what to do with them and if we could afford to retire.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

We have been with Berry & Oak for over 10 years, so we know them well and are happy with their "advice delivered with care". Not only that, but they have made our finances and investments as straightforward and understandable. We feel content that we have transparency and a guiding hand - in which we trust.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Andrew & his team are a well organised unit who offer everything we need and more!

What could they have done better?

None

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

TO PUT MY FINANCIAL AND LIFE STYLE IN ORDER.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

HE PUT EVERY THING IN ORDER IN SIMPLE WORDS WHICH I UNDERSTOOD

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?

I wanted to ensure that I was on the right path to retirement and investing wisely.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has helped me better understand my retirement needs and has ensured that my pensions and investments are better placed.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. I am now enjoying a much better return.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. I am very pleased with the service and the results.

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

We contacted Andrew Elson in 2004 having found his company mentioned in an article in the Times newspaper. We knew we needed to plan for the future (and retirement) but had no idea how to proceed.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and Sarah have always been readily available for advice and support. We have far exceeded reaching our initial goals (cannot emphasise this enough) with the balanced guidance, knowledge and support we have received. They have taught us how to balance saving with living and enjoying life along the way.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Having given it some thought, I really cannot think of anything they could have done better.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

I approached Andrew with some queries regarding investing in shares, ISAs and also I needed some general advice regarding my mum's estate. Andrew was lovely; so easy to talk to and very good at explaining my options to me. He followed up the telephone call with a very comprehensive email covering everything we had talked about. I would definitely recommend Andrew to anyone looking for financial advice.

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

Having retired I had savings I needed to decide what to do with to earn more.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew took time to understand what I wanted to do and explained clearly all the options available and help me choose the right choice for me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes I have, my money has grown well and it's available for me to draw from if needed, which I have done for a new car and home improvements.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I was a couple of years from retirement and the government rules on annuities and draw-down of pension savings had changed. I felt the need for an objective but sympathetic view of my retirement savings and reassurance that my wife would benefit from sound advice when I was no longer around.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew provided invaluable advice on the initial planning for retirement, an investment strategy for the savings I had and continues with his supportive advice to encourage us to maximise our retirement years. It's all about achieving what we want to do for as long as we are able, within the limits of our savings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Andrew and his team have exceeded my initial high expectations as a result of the original and continuing advice.

What could they have done better?

I am pretty cynical but find it difficult to suggest anything that could have been done better by Andrew or his team.

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

Early retirement, good pension, various investments, but a nagging feeling that we were not sufficiently skilled in financial management to increase returns our savings with minimum risk. In addition we were aware that our children would have a significant inheritance tax bill when we died,

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has reorganised our finances in such a way that the potential inheritance charge has been minimised. At the same he has helped us to clarify what part of our income is surplus to our basic living costs so that we know how much we can spend on leading an active retirement, whilst being aware that we will not run out of money.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Andrew and his team have given us confidence to spend in retirement, whilst knowing that we are financially secure and the inheritance tax potential liability is of little concern. Exactly what we wanted to achieve when we went for our initial interview with Andrew.

What could they have done better?

Nothing springs to mind.

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

I initially sought out the services of an adviser because I wanted to create a comprehensive financial plan to secure my financial future and address various financial goals and concerns.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew Elson at Berry & Oak provided invaluable assistance by crafting a detailed financial plan tailored to my specific needs and goals. He took the time to fully explain the plan, ensuring I understood every aspect and felt confident in the decisions being made.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I have seen the outcome I was hoping for. Thanks to Andrew's expertise and the support of the Berry & Oak team, I now have a well-structured financial plan in place, and I feel much more secure about my financial future.

What could they have done better?

It's challenging to think of any areas for improvement because my experience with Berry & Oak and Andrew Elson was exceptional. They provided top-notch service, clear communication, and ongoing support.

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

At the point of retiring to put in place financial plans for our retirement

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

In building a robust plan that allows us to do in our retirement the things that we would wish to do. In particular helping us to make key decisions about both pension planning and also investment strategies for our savings

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In general yes. We have a robust plan which is still relevant and consistent with our original objectives. As always with investments some perform better than expected others less so. With the particularly turbulent markets over the last few years this has been true in our case but they have managed the plan to maintain confidence that we can meet our key objectives

What could they have done better?

All is good and so nothing really.

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

Came into a large amount of Money needed Financial advise

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Help set up Pension Portfolio ana other item

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Am not yet retired so am not requesting any payments

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

As I am retired with some savings and pensions I did not know what to do with them.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Explained to me clearly what to do and helped me arrange new investments. Andrew visits me each year and answers any questions I have and always puts my mind at rest.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, happily retired and financial worries expunged.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

I first contacted Berry and Oak in 2014 when I returned to the UK from living and working in the far east. I had an eye on retirement but was still working abroad every week all around Europe, North and South America and simply did not have the time to think about my financial situation. I needed some expert advice so that I didn't have to worry about it.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Lovely people. Andrew and his team were brilliant, handled my investments and financial planning and gave me the confidence to retire at the right time for me. Super friendly and efficient.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely yes.

What could they have done better?

Stop sending me birthday and Christmas cards.

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

My husband was looking to take early retirement and we really aren't financial experts. We were looking for someone to assess our finances and to help us build a financial plan that would help us understand when he might be able to do this......whilst ensuring that our financial future was secure.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and the team spent a lot of time with us working through what the options and possibilities could look like, and he has always given us what I feel is honest and realistic advice. It has allowed my husband to retire a couple of years earlier than we thought was possible and we still feel confident that our financial future is secure, and in good hands !

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Although the financial markets haven't performed as well as we had hoped, we still feel very confident that the 'prudent nature' of the overall plan will deliver the retirement we were/are still hoping for

What could they have done better?

I honestly can't think of anything....unless they had a magic wand to change the market performance !

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

We followed a recommendation to contact Berry & Oak for our Financial Planning needs, Andrew and his assistant Dan have provided us with excellent information to date, which we are very happy with at this initial stage of our professional relationship

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

I had a large cash savings amount not earning much and wanted it to do better.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew organised all my paperwork and put it into a neat order, consolidating where he could. His investment recommendations have done we all and helped me have a good retirement and look after my grown up children

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

None

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

approaching retirement i was confused what to do with the varius pensions i had built up.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

andrew explained the options on the different plans, advised me what i should do and built a plan for me to follow. Each year he comes back to make sure I am ok, that i am pleased with the investments and recommends any changes if needed. I know he is available to ask questions if anything happens I need help on.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes, i have been retired for nearly 17 years and have a wide range of hobbies and interests. despite a number of personal setbacks, I am still able to enjoy retirement and Andrew has been there to support me though these.

What could they have done better?

None i can think off

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

I really felt like I wasn’t making the best financial decision with what little money I had. I wanted to live comfortably without worrying about my finances.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew taught me how to plan for what I want. He showed that tough decisions in the present will be rewarded in the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

He helped me achieve more than I expected.

What could they have done better?

Nothing even the biscuits are lovely.

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

Andrew looked after my parents finances for years and was very successful for them so it seemed only logical that we carry on taking his sound advice when looking to plan for our future.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has improved the performance of both our pensions and investments. He has provided advice on investing inheritance money to ensure that our daughter has money for her further education and a house deposit. He has given us options and choices about our future which we would not have had without him helping us to review our finances with a view to our retirement. We now have a sound financial base and far fewer worries.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Very much so. We can now plan for an early retirement in the next few years, and will have money to be able to do the things we want as well as providing for our daughter as she starts her own way in life (and this includes telling her to get Andrew to manage her finances).

What could they have done better?

Nothing. We are more than happy with everything that Andrew has done and would not hesitate to recommend his services to anyone looking for a Financial Adviser.

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

My knowledge of the financial institute left me in despair. I was looking for a knowledgeable helpful adviser who could guide me through my financial journey. Berry and Oak had knowledge and patience I was looking for.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has been a long and outstanding help to me and my family over the past decade.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

He has achieved more than I expected. I'm very grateful to Andrew Elson.

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

To enable me to retire early

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Planned my retirement finances

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

90% of the time outcome achieved

What could they have done better?

Difficult to criticize when all advice as worked to my benefit

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

To manage a financial security for our future.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Individualised advice to suit our circumstances but also looking at what we want in our lives and how to realistically achieve our goal. We have been able to feel that we will be comfortable and secure in our retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are very satisfied with where we are and I wrote the following to Andrew after our last meeting Hi Andrew, We just wanted to say ‘thank you’ for todays meeting. The discussions felt reassuring and we feel very fortunate that we seem on the right track, particularly when we know of people that are struggling.

What could they have done better?

I cannot think of anything. They are very professional and also have maintained that personal touch.

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

I had decided to take early retirement aged 60. I was wanting help and advice to take all monies from a Final Salary Pension to re-invest in a SIPP. To this end I began researching various Financial Advisors. I saw Andrews' name mentioned in a few publications and found out he was in the FCA top 100 advisors. I contacted Andrew and was offered a free consultation to discuss our requirements. The initial 30mins consultation lasted almost 2 hours and the rest is history.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

After our consultation my wife and I decided to use Andrew and his company. Andrew prepared an in depth report detailing various options which enabled us to choose the best one for us. He then helped us to to re-invest my Final Salary pension into a SIPP safely. He ensured that our investment portfolio is diversified so any risks are minimised.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Our income is significantly higher than the final salary pension would have given, and overall the investments continue to grow. We live as comfortably as when we were both working, without the need to save for large items.

What could they have done better?

I don't think Andrew could do better. He and the rest of team go above and beyond at all times.

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

We are not experts in financial planning and therefore believe you should pay an expert to help you make the most of your money.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He has offered expert advice and a lot of suggestions that we wouldn't have known about or have benefited from without him.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes and we are looking forward to seeing more positive results in the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Andrew and the team have given us confidence in the steps we are taking with our finances and have given us the time needed to understand everything.

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

I was made redundant in 2012, aged 58. Having worked for the same company for over 30 years, I did not relish starting to look for employment, job interviews etc and toyed with the idea of early retirement, but did not have the confidence to go ahead.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

After contacting Andrew and after a detailed review of my finances, he was able to confirm I could go ahead and retire. I transferred all of our investments and saving into Andrew's care and have not had to worry about financial affairs since.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Eleven years later I have not regretted putting my finances in Andrew's care. I was able to retire in 2012 and have done everything I wanted to do, and more, in the time since then. My finances are in much better shape than I could have predicted and I have no financial worries for the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

We’d just moved to the area, started our family, secured jobs and felt that our money wasn’t working as hard it should but equally we were struggling to save and make sure we even had a month’s cover for bills let alone a nest egg or education savings.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

An initial review of our entire financial situation including insurances and protections and the most useful thing early on was coaching around financial planning, planning for the short term and longer term and crucially making savings be seen in our minds as part of monthly expenditure. The App Berry and Oak use is great too to give us a live view of our overall situation. On top of this we have our annual financial health check and the team are available for questions in between.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We’ve been with Andrew and the team now for nearly 7yrs and feel that the position we’re in now is safe, secure, allowing us to plan to do the things we want with our family and crucially preparing for the next stages of family expense as we think ahead to colleges/universities etc. In short, yes absolutely!!

What could they have done better?

Nothing. The whole team is fantastic from Diane to Andrew to Dan.

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

Having decided to take early retirement, and not being particularly happy with our previous financial advisers, we suddenly found ourselves in pastures new, and without a regular salary at the end of every month. With our new found freedom came the pressures of making lots of financial decisions, whether to draw down our personal pension or use our ISA funds and other savings. Were we doing the right thing and would our funds last ? Not the thoughts you want when newly retired.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

From the very start we were welcomed, and introduced to their small team. Communication from day one was always clear and concise. Trust developed very quickly. After initial detailed discussions and Berry and Oak’s comprehensive fact finding of our overall financial situation a very detailed Financial Plan was developed for ourselves. Based upon our spending requirements, being monthly or extraordinary (weddings, cars, house remodelling) the plan identified the funds required until the age of 100 (if we get there) and more importantly how it's funded.

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?

We approach Andrew because we realised our money wasn't working for us and we needed to do something in order to plan for our retirement while keeping a similar lifestyle.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and his team clearly explained what our options were based on out current situation and created a lifetime cashflow planning so we could realistically see the position we are currently in and how that could be improved with some adjustments. The team then created a financial plan with different investments and strategies that we felt comfortably with. We meet several times a year to follow up and review their financial plan to adjust if needed. I cannot stress enough Andrew's and his team knowledge, patience and attention to detail. They do genuinely look out for you and your family and I could not recommend them enough.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We now have a clear of picture of how our money is working for us and have a solid plan for our future retirement.

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

Andrew and his team have helped me with my finances for 10 plus years. I was finding it quite overwhelming with all the paperwork and confusing options and tax bills. Andrew helped tidy up my papers, put a financial plan into place and simplified it all for me. I am now enjoying my retirement and travelling frequently. I am able to help my children financially and with my time, which has been a welcome relief. We meet every 6 months where Andrew ensures I am still on track to reach my goals and gives me reassurance and peace of mind that everything will be ok. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a financial adviser to look after you.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Helped tidy up my finances and looks after my investments and pensions Tom deliver good returns.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

Wanted to retire and live by the seaside

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Helped tidy all my paperwork and prove I could afford to achieve my goals

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?

I was aproaching retirement and had a number of pensions and didn't know what to do with them and if I would have enough.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew explained all the options and help me chkose what was right for me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes retired and happy

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

We realised several years ago that our money was not working for us. I did a little research online and found Berry and Oak. It was the best decision we made. Thanks to Andrew Elson, our finances are now in great shape, and we can look forward to a worry free future.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

By explaining, in simple terms, how our investments are performing, where our money is and what we can expect in the future. More importantly, it's about trust, and Andrew always manages to make us feel more reassured when we leave that when we arrived.

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?

Planning for our retirement

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

We couldn’t have done it as well or effectively without Andrew

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - even through the difficult times the financials markets are currently going through.

What could they have done better?

I can’t think of anything

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

A change in financial circumstances and the need to invest money and saving to get a better financial return.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has advised on pensions and investments and supported through these changes.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

We are starting to see a positive return.

What could they have done better?

We are totally satisfied with the service we have received.

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

We approached Andrew and Sarah for help a year before I retired. This was about 7 years ago. I had worked for a couple of large corporates and needed to understand how to get the best out of my pension and savings. As much of an expert I was in my professional field I realised that I was sadly lacking in knowledge about my financial future. I knew that we had enough but needed to fully understand what to do and get some reassurance that what we had planned was correct.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

I came across Andrew because he was recommended in the Sunday Times, so we approached him, met up and talked through our circumstances. This resulted in us taking some decisions and also making some investments. These has grown comfortably since we started. There have been peaks throughout this time and also some dips especially in the last 12 months but rather than ignoring them Andrew and his team have been proactive in giving us advice and reassurances whilst still letting us make decisions as we wanted to. Andrew has also helped us help our children to understand their finances and planning, encouraging them to take steps even though the investments were not made through him. We used to meet with Andrew every 6 months for an update to confirm how are finances are progressing and that our plans are still going as projected. So where we are now is, that we are reassured that even with the cost of living crisis, we feel comfortable with our position, so that we now meet every 12 months and know that we can call him at any time if we need advice. I have shared our experience with a number of my former colleagues and have no hesitation in recommending Andrew for advice.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So where we are now is, that we are reassured that even with the cost of living crisis, we feel comfortable with our position, so that we now meet every 12 months and know that we can call him at any time if we need advice. I have shared our experience with a number of my former colleagues and have no hesitation in recommending Andrew for advice.

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

Left an inheritance and needed advice what to do with it.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Helped me put my finances into a tidy order then a plan to invest the money that also allowed me to retire early

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes retired early and having a great retirement doing fun things

What could they have done better?

None

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

We originally worked with Andrew on our very first mortgage and have used him again on each subsequent transaction.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Our third time working with Andrew, Sarah and the team, and they have been as helpful as always. Clear and practical advice, and taking a lot of the pain out of financial advice - would definitely recommend.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - Andrew set out the various options clearly and we went for the one that worked best for us.

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

I had retired and was confused with the options for pensions and investing

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Explained all my options clearly so I could decide w Hat was right for me and he-helped set it all up

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely I retired early and have a very enjoyable time doing what I want when I want

What could they have done better?

Nothing he was really professional and helpful

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

Approaching retirement I needed help sorting my paperwork and finances into order and investing my money

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Seen me every year and looks after me and helped me. Through retirement he takes care of my investments and I trust him as he has my best interests at heart

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

None

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

I was approaching retirement and waned to ensure I had enough to finish work and retire.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew created a plan and showed me with graphs and figures that I would be ok.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

yes - He has then met at least once a year for the last 18 years, to ensure I was still on track, managed my investments, and helped me through a number of difficult times, such as the loss of my husband 6 years ago and ensured my finances were sorted.

What could they have done better?

Nothing - He has been great

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

I don’t have the expertise in topics such as pensions and financial planning to be able to self serve and so finding an expert in these areas was crucial for me.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has carefully listened to and gained a detailed understanding of my situation and has then been able to provide me with some great advice on how to improve things.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I now know have some clear and valuable advice that I will use to help me achieve my financial goals

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

Initially Contacted Berry and Oak approx. 7 years ago because my husband and I wanted to take early retirement and wanted to be sure we could.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and his team were extremely helpful and friendly and gave us the confidence we needed to go ahead with our early retirement plans. Since using Berry and Oak services that confidence has grown because every bit of financial advice and planning they have provided has been spot on.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely, yes!

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Their service has been very good for me and my husband.

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

I needed to have peace of mind financially

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He discussed the investments most suitable for my long term needs

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I am pleased with the care and support he provides and the updates

What could they have done better?

As far as I'm concerned he has always listened to me and given me guidance throughout the time I have been with the company and don't think I could have had any better service.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

Andrew was extremely professional and knowledgeable. An excellent communicator, he ensured that we understood the points that he was making.

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

I was approaching retirement and needed advice to help me with my pension options.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew evaluated my various pension pots and made recommendations as to the best way to maximise the potential returns for the future.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Certainly, Andrew produced a detailed financial plan covering 45 plus years. As a result of this I have been able to retire early safe in the knowledge that our finances are in good hands.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Andrew

I have been dealing with Andrew a number of times over the years and he has always been helpful and his advice and expertise has always been invaluable.

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

The team at Berry & Oak assisted us with our income protection plans, mortgage and pensions.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew and the Berry & Oak team helped us with our; income protection plans, mortgage (and re-mortgage) applications and general pension advice. They were extremely professional and made the whole process as simple as possible for us. The online portal makes communication and sending documents very simple.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - we now feel reassured that we are financially protected for the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

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

I received a sum of money in inheritance and wanted advice and support to invest this money in the best way.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has helped me to invest this money in the most suitable way and I have been delighted with the return on this so far. He has also given me advice on managing my money and helping to ensure that I am confident that my money is in the best place and is working for me.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I am confident that I am getting the best advice and I am happy with the return on my investment.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Andrew Elson helped you since your last review?

Andrew continues to offer at least an annual meeting in order to ensure that the financial plan we have in place is still relevant. He also answers queries, concerns or issues regarding our financial position and portfolio at this meeting. Our sons have now made use of The Trust Funds which were made available to them quickly and efficiently. Alongside this invaluable meeting Andrew ensures that we receive regular excellent briefings on all matters relating to finance, and we are always invited to attend seminars, conferences and webinars throughout the year. Andrew heads up an excellent team, which is ever expanding and includes trainees who learn from Andrew as an exemplary role model in all matters regarding Financial Planning.

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

When we first contacted Berry and Oak, my wife and I had decided to take early retirement and were concerned that we could have misjudged our financial situation and run out of money at a later date.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

They initially conducted a full financial review of our circumstances and provided a comprehensive report with clearly defined actions and a forward strategic plan. We have been working to this plan over the last eight years with regular, twice yearly reviews of the overall progress and making adjustments as necessary. This has involved major elements such as consolidating several different pension schemes into one strategic investment pot with varying elements of risk, taking early pension payments from another scheme and delaying another pension until full retirement age. They have also transformed the way we manage our day to day finances by helping us to restructure our bank accounts to simplify their management and having clearly defined budgets and floats.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes definitely. The advice, guidance and hand-holding given throughout our dealings with Berry and Oak along with the implementation of a clear strategic financial plan has given us high confidence in our future long term financial stability and has freed us up from the self imposed financial constraints we had before engaging with Berry & Oak. Essentially, they have provided us with a greater level of confidence in financial terms, both now and in the future which has resulted in lower stress levels and more enjoyment in our retirement life.

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

I wanted to get a plan in place for my retirement and help looking after my pensions and investments as I find pensions so confusing

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew has been very helpful to me and patient explaining about my finances and making sure everything is in a good place, so I don’t have to worry about it. He is knowledgeable but listens to you and explains in a way that is easy to understand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I feel very happy with my finances and confident that my pension and investments are in a good place to grow and give me the income that I want in retirement.

What could they have done better?

Nothing they were great

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

I returned to the UK from working a number of years in the far east. I had some money to invest but particularly wanted to plan for early retirement. I have little experience of investment options so I wanted to find an expert in this area to point me in the right direction.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

He was brilliant. He is a good listener and took in all of my personal details and then suggested a tailor-made package that suited all of my requirements. I have been a client of Berry and Oak for six years now and each time we talk (even via video in these covid times) he tells me how to tweak the plan to suit my changing circumstances. Andrew, Sarah and their team always respond to my queries immediately and it is so good to know that I have that expertise to hand.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes - absolutely! I have been retired for almost two years now and I have a sound financial plan for my family's future.

What could they have done better?

I honestly can't think of anything to put here.

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

My husband, aged 58, was offered redundancy after 34 years service and we wanted professional advice as to whether he could take early retirement.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew asked us to review our annual outgoings both current and also allowing for what we would spend in retirement (extra holidays etc). He also reviewed our existing savings and investments and advised my husband as to what to do with his rather generous redundancy payment. Most importantly, he gave us the confidence to take early retirement and to live without making any financial compromises.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Our finances have worked out extremely well, even during the recent pandemic. We are still able to enjoy plenty of holidays, upgrade the car regularly and carry out home improvements without all the stresses of continuing in work.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. The outcome from our meetings and Andrew taking over our investments and pensions has been everything we could have asked for.

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

Wanted to retire but wasn’t sure we could afford to

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Talked to us in a way we understood the options with no jargon. Then helped reassure me I could retire and helped set everything up to support us into retirement.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely, retired earlier than expected and able to spend time with family and friends doing hobbies we really enjoy.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Andrew Elson helped you since your last review?

Andrew has kept me informed and goes above and beyond what is expected especially over the last 18 months during the pandemic. The Berry & Oak team are always keen to help and any contact with the office is always dealt with efficiently. We are leading a much happier retirement than we thought would be possible as we have every confidence in the planning they have done for us.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Andrew Elson helped you since your last review?

He gives me advise on where to put my monies for their best return as i am retired.

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

Originally I wanted to get on top of the family finances and start putting plans in place for funding children through university.

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Within a relatively short time the family finances were settled, a savings plan put in place and we were able to begin retirement planning. When life became complicated by divorce, Andrew and the team's advice and support was invaluable. More recently, earlier than expected, I have been able to retire with enough income to pay my mortgage, support my children and still have enough for travel.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Much better than I could have expected given the divorce.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Through the pandemic, Andrew and the team have shown they're not only great at the financial side but really care about their client's wellbeing. Before our yearly meeting, which had to be held online) I received some luxury biscuits in the post with the appointment reminder. A typically thoughtful touch.

This review is a follow-up review from a client who left a review previously.

How has Andrew Elson helped you since your last review?

Andrew and all the team are always available to help with all of our queries

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

My previous FA was very incompetent

How has Andrew Elson helped you?

Andrew came highly recommended from a friend who is already a client

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Andrew and his team have excelled themselves and is always available to assist at short notice

What could they have done better?

They are very professional at all times. Helpful and friendly staff