Alwyn Evans

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

February, 2021

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Alwyn

No need to bother him unless you're on a six figure salary

Alwyn's reply

Dear Alan, I am sorry that we were unable to help you, however I do state on my VouchedFor profile minimum savings/pensions of over £500,000. Unfortunately we cannot help everybody and there are some occasions where the cost of our advice outweigh any benefit you may get from our advice and I feel it is right to make you aware of this at the earliest opportunity possible. As I mentioned on the phone, there are many on-line advice services available which I feel would be more appropriate for the value of pensions you were seeking advice on. I wish you all the best for the future, and once again apologies that we were unable to help you. Kind Regards Alwyn

Review from verified client

October, 2020

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

Having been previously invested in a well-known online investment platform, we were looking for more personalised advice, a higher quality of service and a better return on our investments. We also wanted to assess our longer term cash flow and retirement plans, and optimise our investment & pension strategy. We chose to work with Alwyn following VouchedFor reviews, a personal recommendation, and after an initial consultation which left us very impressed.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Alwyn did a great job of listening to and quickly comprehending our existing position, aims, and the level of risk that we were prepared to accept in future. He proposed changes to the products and funds we were invested in, including switching fund choices within existing pensions. Bringing this together he modelled our lifetime cashflow, including future outgoings to support children, and an indication of timescales for retirement. He ran different scenarios through the model in real-time to aid our decision making. Throughout this process, Alwyn has been a pleasure to deal with, he has always communicated expertly to help us understand, and has been supportive throughout. He regularly reviews our investments behind the scenes, is always responsive to questions over email, and has been flexible with scheduling meetings together.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

In terms of quality of advice in our areas of interest, and the service we are receiving – absolutely, yes. In terms of investment outcomes, it’s early days as it’s only been a little over 6 months since we made changes following Alwyn’s advice (and this has coincided with the coronavirus pandemic). That said, early indicators are positive. Switches we have made to pension funds have significantly out-performed previous choices. Alwyn has provided regular rebalancing of our savings investments, and these have out-performed similar styled funds. We now have peace-of-mind that we are making good decisions for our financial needs, and that we are re-assessing regularly to adjust to market conditions.

What could they have done better?

We are very satisfied with the advice and service that Alwyn has provided.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2020

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Alwyn

I never got to speak to any of your brokers after over a week Very poor I have gone with another company who sorted a new mortgage within a couple of hours

Alwyn's reply

Dear Mr Benyon, We contacted you on the 3rd of September in response to your enquiry but unfortunately this was too late as you had already sourced a mortgage from another adviser. As mentioned in our email, following a change to our email Junk/Spam filter provider over the summer, unfortunately the VouchedFor enquiries were being incorrectly filtered as Junk/Spam and therefore there was a delay in picking up your enquiry. We have since changed our Junk/Spam filter settings so that the VouchedFor enquires now come through, so hopefully this issue will not happen again. I do sincerely apologise that this happened to you, and that we were not able to help you but I am glad to hear you managed to sort your mortgage elsewhere. Kind Regards Alwyn

Review from verified client

June, 2019

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

Change of employment and the limitations of my existing company pension in terms of future flexibility, as well as the purpose of ensuring I was saving sufficient for my retirement (both in terms of pension and ISAs).

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Advised on existing position regarding savings and pension funds, modelled different scenarios in terms of contributions (actual and projected) against different retirement ages to ensure I was on track to meet my own expectations for retirement. The advice led to me transferring my old company pension fund and ISAs in to a SIPP to offer greater flexibility and potential growth against my risk profile.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, the transfer was handled efficiently, I have on-line access and visibility of all of my investments which is one of the objectives I was looking to achieve. I feel more in control and understanding of my investments and retirement plan,

What could they have done better?

Nothing particular comes to mind. The style if communication and relaxed manner gave me confidence that the advice I was being given was entirely in my own interest. I didn't feel pressured at any time which is important factor when considering significant investment decisions.

Review from verified client

May, 2019

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

I was recommended to use Churchgates by a SSAS provider (who I actually did not use in the end). This was so I could transfer my final salary pension out and into my own private SSAS. To do this, you need a review by a firm approved by the pension’s regulator to make sure you are making a sound financial decision. Churchgates are such an organisation.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Alwyn was assigned to my case and was knowledgeable about how SSAS’s work and correctly questioned my intentions for my desire to transfer the funds across. He undertook (with the support of Helen in his team) a review of my financials and my plans for building my property portfolio. At the end of the process he fully supported the transfer and also offered advice of potential SSAS providers he was familiar with. Again, I ultimately did not use any of these but his support with answers to my questions in arranging this has been extremely useful and supportive.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. The transfer has taken place initially to a SIPP I had in place and we are now in the final stages of transfering the SIPP funds across to my private SSAS which Alwyn's team (Helen) is again helping with.

What could they have done better?

The process did take some time to get going and this seemed just to fall between Alwyn and the external SSAS provider I had initially contacted. However, once this was sorted out, it all progressed quite smoothly.

Review from verified client

November, 2018

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

I neede to free my pension to access it

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

He was very professional and explained things in an easy manner which was exactly what I needed

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes

What could they have done better?

Nothing really

Review from verified client

August, 2018

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

Considering options for investments and how they could ultimately provide a route into early retirement.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Alwyn helped us work through all the relevant factors, to develop an overall strategy that worked for us and to then translate it into an investment and financial management plan.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Everything has so far progressed well and in line with the strategy we developed.

What could they have done better?

Maybe initial meetings could have been closer together, but that was down to us to drive really

Review from verified client

August, 2018

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

Financial planning in preparation for retirement and inheritance tax avoidance.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

He thoroughly reviewed my financial circumstances and also my expectations for both retirement life and inheritant tax planning. Keys points from this work has enabled me to 1. Beneficially retire ahead of plan. 2. Live in retirement financially secure & without penalty, in terms of both routine and larger expenditure. 3. To schedule the transfer of benefits to my siblings during my retirement life and onwards.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I have seen the beneficial outcome I was looking for from the financial analysis, reporting and recommendation of the work that Alwyn undertook on my behalf. I am pleased with the way that the financial plans are performing and also for the ongoing support and further recommendation along the way. Accordingly I would highly recommend Alwyn for such services.

What could they have done better?

Entirely satisfied with the service that has been provided.

Review from verified client

August, 2018

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

Ongoing investments.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

By representing the interests fhis principals Raymond James.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Long term investments - no quick result expected.

What could they have done better?

No

Review from verified client

July, 2018

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

Sold commercial property and wanted to invest proceeds to provide income in retirement.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Complete financial review. Investment risk assessment. Household financial review and planning. Discussion of wants and needs. Overview of monthly cashflow. Investigate and recommend investment plans. Implement investments and monitor. Use of ISAS for tax efficiency. Guidance with tax returns. Regular update meetings. All the above for both self and wife.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes. In our first full year of investment we have achieved exactly the predicted and needed investment income. Also modest growth has covered fees and contributed to long term sustainability.

What could they have done better?

We are very satisfied with the advice and service provided. There is nothing that springs to mind that could have been improved or bettered.

Review from verified client

June, 2018

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

Inheritance planning.

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Comprehensive discussions on our current property portfolio and futures options.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, much clearer as to immediate and future decisions.

Review from verified client

November, 2014

How has Alwyn Evans helped you?

Very good at listening and understanding our position and aims.

What could they have done better?

Make us richer !