Reviewed for

Insurance and Protection ( 6 )

Mortgages ( 6 )

Pensions ( 13 )

Retirement income (annuities, drawdown) ( 1 )

Auto Enrolment ( 1 )

Investments and Savings ( 15 )

Reviewers' assets

£200k - £500k ( 3 )

£100k - £200k ( 5 )

Up to £50k ( 4 )

£50k - 100k ( 4 )

Client reviews

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

May, 2020

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Very good and made it easy to understand

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2019

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Seemed very knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of the various options discussed.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

September, 2018

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Martin was very professional and explained in detail what the company would do in relation to my enquiry.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2016

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Martin was very patient and explained everything very well. He never tried to hurry my decisions and made it clear that if I have any issues or concerns I could come to him with them.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2016

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Provided clear account of services and charges, took time to explain different possible outcomes.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

August, 2016

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

A frank discussion was had regarding IFA risks and client requirements

Review from verified client

May, 2016

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Stirlingshire

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

Combining few pensions into one with a better prospect.

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Excellently.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Satisfying.

What could they have done better?

I am not sure

Review from verified client

April, 2016

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Stirlingshire

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

Pension Investmant.

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Martin provides excellent proffesional,prompt and friendly advice in the financial matters he has dealt with on my behalf his Information is clear, concise and he explains details in ways that I can understand.He is always pleasant and never rushed,he always has relevant paperwork organised and always well prepared for our meetings .

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

What could they have done better?

Excellent service, very pleased with everything Martin has done

Review from verified client

November, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in West Lothian

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

pension and retirement.

How has Martin Shades helped you?

having never had an financial advisor before i was a bit nervous,but martins professionalism and the way he explained things in simple terms put me at ease. he is very patient pleasent man who is very thorough in what he does. the advice and service he has given me has been excellent. he has helped in a way that i feel more secure for the future and can now help my children more than i could before. i would recommend him 100%.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

i am very happy with the outcome.

What could they have done better?

he couln't have done better

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

July, 2015

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Having only met Martin for our initial meeting my experience is limited. However, in that initial session Martin was open, clear and informative in his approach, providing enough information for consideration whilst identifying potential next steps if we wish to proceed. I am looking forward to our next meeting where actions from our initial meeting will be addressed further.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

April, 2015

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Professional, and thorough, and took his time to explain everything, no hassle and no pressure I would and have recommended him

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Good communication. Good advice and follow up from Martin.

What could they have done better?

Very happy with service provided.

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Renfrewshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Communicate clearly and in a timely manner. Ease to get in touch with and responds quickly

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Martin obviously is very well prepared for all our meetings and seems to have anticipated any questions we may have. At initial meetings he spent a lot of time ascertaining our needs and attitude to risk in particular. Charging was made very clear both within the products in which we have invested, and also his own professional fees and what he does for them. His manner is always very pleasant and professional.

What could they have done better?

Can't think of anything we have been unhappy with

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in West Lothian

How has Martin Shades helped you?

As this was our first meeting Martin was good at putting us at our ease and explaining things in everyday language. He had a friendly, easy manner.

What could they have done better?

Nothing that I can think of

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

explains details in ways that we can understand - always pleasant and never rushed - has relevant paperwork organised and always well prepared for our meeting which are at our house which is extremely helpful to us as we both work long hours.

Review from verified client

February, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Renfrewshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Our previous advisor and friend of 33 years had retired so Martin had big shoes to fill at ASK. Any concerns we had were soon dispelled as it quickly became apparent that he had a full grasp of both our financial situation and attitude towards planning. He was willing to spend as much time as necessary to answer all of our questions and we would recommend him and ASK without hesitation.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

February, 2015

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Martin

Professional honest and informative service. Takes time to get to know the client properly before and during the meetings. Clear and accurate advise which is well researched and explained in full during the meeting.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Renfrewshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Explains clearly the pros and cons of the options available and understands our attitude to risk and advises accordingly.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Dunbartonshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

We have been delighted with the service thus far from Martin. He is always easily contactable by phone or email and is very quick to reply to any queries. He was extremely helpful in securing us a great rate for our recent remortgage when initially I was expecting this to be a bit of a challenge due to our circumstances. He has been proactive in ensuring that our financial products are always the most appropriate for our needs and that we are getting value for money. He is knowledgeable and efficient and extremely patient when it comes to explanations. We are happy in the knowledge that he is looking after our financial interests, leaving us the time to worry about other things! We would recommend him.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Dunbartonshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Martin is good at reviewing options and explaining pros and cons of each

What could they have done better?

Pretty good al round but a brief executive summary of reports might be helpful

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Martin provides the right balance of advice and service for my requirements

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Renfrewshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Prompt communication Thorough explanations

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

He is very good at explaining in a clear manner everything to do with financial advice and is easy to talk to.

What could they have done better?

Can't think of anything He could improve on.

Review from verified client

January, 2015

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Renfrewshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Explains everything very clearly and in terms to suit us. He is happy to take time to ensure we understand.

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Great service and explained everything fully and without using too much jargon

What could they have done better?

I have no suggestions to make - completely happy with service

Review from verified client

December, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Dunbartonshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

Preparation. Martin has always turned up at the time he says, with complete knowledge of my financial requirements and I have found his advice to be sensible, easy to understand and profitable. All my questions have been fully answered in language both myself and my wife can understand.

What could they have done better?

Nothing springs to mind

Review from verified client

November, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Lanarkshire

How has Martin Shades helped you?

A very personal and professional service. Took time to really understand my requirements without and pressure to take a particular product

What could they have done better?

Nothing so and indeed I have been happy to recommend them to colleagues.