Craig Howard

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

Moving country.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Helped understand systems and signpost to relevant agencies.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, I now have a better understanding of the systems.

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

Divorce settlement

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Yes

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?

Following my divorce I needed sound financial advice to steer me towards making sound investment decisions.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig is incredibly knowledgeable and has always taken great care to explain all his advice to me. I never feel like a number - he tailors everything to my individual circumstances. There’s never any pressure for a quick decision, I trust his expertise.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

My investments are growing & I have received solid advice.

What could they have done better?

Very satisfied with how I am treated

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

Turned 18 and received access to a trust fund

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Invested money on my behalf, and set up plans for future use of the money.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

So far yes, the money has increased in value.

What could they have done better?

/

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

To find out more information about our pensions and plan for retirement.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

He researched our pensions and savings and provided a very clear report about the state of our pensions. This enabled us to make proper decisions about investments and plan effectively. Craig was very helpful and we feel confident we now understand our position.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes definitely. We are looking forward to working with Craig in the future.

What could they have done better?

Nothing!

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

I wanted my savings and pensions in one place.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

He provides advice as required

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I can't think of anything but I am not a demanding client.

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

When my father died, my mother's solicitor advised her to get a financial adviser and she used one associated with Harrowells. He then moved to Penlife. When my mother died I carried on with her advisor who has now retired and we've remained friends. As advisors come and go, I've had a few, Craig being the latest.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

He's tracked down accounts for me and advised shifting investments to get the best from them.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have only done the transfers recently so have not yet reaped the rewards.

What could they have done better?

Don't know yet.

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

I was unsure which way to go with my pensions.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig has set up an annuity for me do I am less worried about the constant up and downs of my pension pots.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

I can't think how it would have been done better.

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

Approaching pension age.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Clarified recent changes to lifetime allowances and their implications.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Very satisfied.

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

I wanted advice on LISAs

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig was professional, thorough, accurate and helpful.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Craig provided me with all the information I needed to make an informed decision.

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Craig

Good initial meeting with Craig. Very pleasant man.

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

To best utilise net proceeds of a property sale

How has Craig Howard helped you?

By providing advice on various annuity and other options

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

They seem to have obtained the best interest rate available at the present time, for the amount that we have available

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

Craig took over as my advisor when my previous one passed away. As an elderly person with only basic financial knowledge I need someone for advice and who can answer any concerns and general queries I may have.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig has, over the time he has been my advisor, proved himself to be someone who can give me confidence my financial future is safe in his hands. He answers all questions in a format, as an older person , I can understand, and with each conversation I have felt any worries lifted from my shoulders.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Definitely. I can start each day with an easy mind. The future for anyone is an unknown but I know Craig will always do his utmost to kepp mine safe.

What could they have done better?

Nothing

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

Craig is always efficient in his approach. He consistently offers good advice and always carries out follow up tasks as promised.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Mainly in financial advice and pensions

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?

Julie Wilson originally looked after my mums. Finances and we have continued for the 11years Penn Craig took over after Julie and we have been very happy with his advice

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig has advised with advice on recent withdrawals

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Financial Planning.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig has advised me on my future and current financial planning.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Mine is a long term plan/outlook, currently due to global issues, my portfolio is down, but I hope that it will pick up once inflation is under control and investor sentiment is more positive.

What could they have done better?

I rely on my portfolio being invested to its optimum level, obviously global issues are a separate issue. I have confidence that my investments are being reviewed on a regular basis.

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

Age, things getting too complicated

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Regular personal visits, explains things clearly, friendly and approachable

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?

Retirement and had the proceeds of a property to invest

How has Craig Howard helped you?

He has visited us at home and advised re investments and planning for the future

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Mainly yes but appreciate that markets have been affected by global events

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

Pension transfer

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Long term planning Pension drawdown. General financial advice

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 met Craig a couple of years when he joined Penlife

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig manages the administration of our investment portfolio and provides advice & guidance for our financial needs both long & short term

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Craig gives us confidence to make the appropriate financial decisions

What could they have done better?

We're quite satisfied with Craig's performance & quite comfortable and confident with his advice

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

How has Craig Howard helped you since your last review?

He has helped me change part of my portfolio to ethical investments, which I strongly believe in.

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

Personal pension arrangement

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Good , clear advice on various aspects of my pension situation and prospects

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Work in progress.

What could they have done better?

Happy with advice and updates to plan.

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

Found an article from PenLife Article regarding 26 pension must knows which was extremely helpful. Therefore contacted my local office to make an appointment to discuss my upcoming retirement and pension plans.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig was both professional and approachable. I found him easy to talk to and he listened to my questions and concerns about my workplace and private pension.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Have had initial meeting and I feel happy with the information and advice that I have been given so far.

What could they have done better?

Nil at present.

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

Craig took over our case and was always helpful and professional.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig understood that the time was right for us to take an annuity and helped us through the process.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. We invested at a time when markets were volatile and decided it was not for us and Craig listened and advised on the best way forward for us.

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

I initially looked for an advisor to aggregate a couple of work pensions into a SIPP

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig always give plain English advice. We've discussed my future plan for retirement and how we can make that best work for me

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Sadly I'm too young to retire so for now there isn't an outcome as such but things are going very much in the right direction

What could they have done better?

Nothing really. I always get a first class service from Craig

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

Retirement provisioning

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Great listener with some extensive knowledge of his subject which he imparts in an understandable way

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes in terms of our planning and focus for retirement

What could they have done better?

Returns on investments performance due to market volatility

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

Investment advice for funds within a family Trust Fund.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig has responded to a change in circumstances and it's impact on the Trust Fund. He has dealt with a complex situation in a calm and efficient manner, responding swiftly to many questions, researching answers that required more detail and coordinating actions with third parties. His communication is excellent, keeping me well informed over a long period of time.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Absolutely. We have clarity on the situation, and a new approach for our investments.

What could they have done better?

Nothing at all. I have been very satisfied and impressed with the service.

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

We have been existing clients of Craig's employer (PenLife Asociates) for a number of years.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

In the past year Craig has provided sound advice on personal pensions and tax efficient income in early retirement. I believe he has a clear understanding of our financial situation, goals and objectives.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. Comfortable with the current situation (given the wider context of volatility and a downturn in the global markets).

What could they have done better?

All good. Craig is very professional in his approach. Clear in explaining any complex finanacial issues. His communication and response is excellent.

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

Long term planning for both myself and my family

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Constructive analysis of mine and my families current financial situation and possible changes to our retirement plans.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

The changes made following Craig's advice are in line with what we were hoping to see.

What could they have done better?

Nothing. Craig has been excellent at keeping us informed at every stage and has made himself available for any meetings/calls we have requested.

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

Rationalisation of investments and pensions pending retirement.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig took on the task of over watching my pension portfolio earlier this year and has been very helpful.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

I have been with his employer for a number of years

How has Craig Howard helped you?

To fully understand my investments

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

This all depends on the financial markets.

What could they have done better?

Nowt

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

The need for future investment income

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig is always willing to explain complex financial details and we have found him to be very personable and approachable

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

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

Cinsolidation if pensions and savings

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Annual review. Withdrawal of sone savings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

About to.

What could they have done better?

Nothing springs to mind. Craig know his stuff

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

I was seeking to take advantage of my annual tax-free ISA allowance and looking for a higher return than then offered by the standard high street products.

How has Craig Howard helped you?

Craig took care to evaluate my risk profile and invested time to understand my lack of confidence in the financial services industry following poor previous experience. His guidance gave me the confidence to go forward with my investments and I've trusted Craig for several years now.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

No as yet, hence my 'ok' response to the 'value for money' question above. However, I'm currently content and I trust that markets will work in my favour over time.

What could they have done better?

I see no areas for improvement during any of my transactions or communications with Craig.

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

I sold a house and wanted to invest the funds

How has Craig Howard helped you?

I discussed with Craig the possibility of changing my existing portfolio

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Not yet , the alterations to my portfolio are in progress

What could they have done better?

Nothing really