Derek and Rosemary’s story: achieving financial wellbeing

Before we found Mike, we were very apprehensive about financial advice. We thought of advisers as being a bit like pushy salesman.

Mike was recommended by one of my colleagues and the first time we met him we felt relaxed. He wasn’t salesy at all – we instantly felt that he was looking after our own interests.

What I really wanted to know was when I could retire

I was in danger of putting myself under a lot of pressure worrying about whether retirement was going to be financially viable for me or not.

Mike put me at ease. He asked me what my long-term goals were in order to work out how much money I needed to live on.

He came back with a forecast that showed I really didn’t need to keep working as much as I was. But rather than pack it in completely, Mike encouraged me to take my foot off the gas. So I approached my director and explained the situation and now I’m working two days a week.

This is the perfect situation for me, as to stop work completely wasn’t what I wanted – I like having structure, and being with other people. But financially I really didn’t need to be working as hard as I was.

Additional support along the way 

Now that I have a plan, I’m set. But that doesn’t mean things can’t be tweaked as I go along. Next year, for example, will be our 40th wedding anniversary and so we want to do something special for that.

I consulted Mike and he told me to go for it, explaining that I could afford it (but not to do it every year!). What I love about Mike is that he’s got empathy for us – he’s happy to see us enjoy our lives – it’s not just a conversation about numbers. He’s very interested in the family, how we’re doing etc, and always chats first about them when we meet him.

He’s also efficient. Whenever I’ve requested funds, it’s done there and then; there’s no waiting around.

Total peace of mind

I’m a bit of a worrier and I like to know what’s happening, so to be relaxed for the first time in my life is a lot to do with Mike and the team. Heather, Manos and John-Paul - every one of them go over and above, I can’t praise them enough.

“Financial advice can be a minefield, but after working with Mike I have much better financial wellbeing. I don’t have any worries now – he’s taken them all away.”

Lots of people might be apprehensive about recommending an adviser in case things go wrong, but I’d have no problem recommending Mike. He really focuses on your attitude to risk - he’s very keen to make sure you’re happy and comfortable with what’s proposed.  

Mike is friendly, sympathetic and focused. The whole team has got that empathy, which isn’t a word I use every day. It’s that family feeling we like - they’re driven to get us what we want – making us happy is their ultimate goal. That’s what I get every time.  

Meeting up with Mike is like going out coffee with friend - I come out laughing every time I leave the office.