Simon Ainley

Holland Hahn & Wills

Reviewed for

Insurance and Protection ( 2 )

Pensions ( 12 )

Retirement income (annuities, drawdown) ( 1 )

Investments and Savings ( 14 )

Reviewers' assets

£500k+ ( 10 )

£200k - £500k ( 3 )

£100k - £200k ( 2 )

£50k - 100k ( 1 )

Client reviews

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

November, 2016

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Simon

I have no doubt that Simon could have provided the service required. However another advisor provided a slightly closer match to the full breadth of my preferences.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

January, 2015

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Simon

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2014

Overall

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Simon

Extremely clear and helpful overview. Took extra time to explain fully.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Alignment on approach to investment strategy, takes time to gain clear perception of individuals tolerance to risk, provision of life time financial plan and how investment strategy supports plan, takes the extra step to ensure full understanding of strategy or implications of changing strategy, approachable and response to queries.

What could they have done better?

Scheduling of regular portfolio reviews sometimes drift, however ability to monitor portfolio on line makes the need for regular reviews a lower priority. Where changes to life style / investment strategy has been requested, advisor has always been responsive and request actioned in timely manner.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Middlesex

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon is able to make the complex world of investment manageable.I feel that I am able to make well informed decisions now and confident that I have the balance of returns versus how much I want to be controlling my investment in a correct level.I have a better financial plan for my future now and it is regularly validated.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon is diligent in his research and advice on re-balancing. He has a good understanding of our (my wife and myself) risk profiles, all be it within the confines of the two fund platforms the firm uses.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in London

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Generally very responsive and thoughtful responses. Takes care to consider options open to me. Is fully aware of cost issues. Has a clear and logical approach.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon provides absolutely straightforward and honest advice. He does not modify his position to get more business. He is firmly committed to a passive management approach. He carried out a detailed review of our situation and attitude to risk and has updated this several times. He goes to great lengths to make sure everything is clear and transparent. Simon is a good person to work with who inspires confidence.

What could they have done better?

i am quite happy with the service Simon and his firm provides. They continue to introduce further services and refinements.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Buckinghamshire

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

We have only been a client of Simon's for just over half a year but so far Simon has been excellent in advising us of how we should invest our money for the future. We had built an eclectic portfolio which Simon helped us streamline into a more efficient and cost effective plan whilst bearing in mind our attitude to risk. Simon is easy to talk to and explains everything clearly and patiently.

What could they have done better?

Still too early to say what HHW could do better, since everything they do is extremely efficient!

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

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Value

Based in Berkshire

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

keeps me updated and fully informed. Is available to talk or calls back.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon could not have done more for us. Helpful, knowledgeable, always there to offer help and advice. We could not manage without him. He has enabled us to enjoy a very pleasant retirement

What could they have done better?

I find it impossible to make any adverse criticism of his handling of our affairs.

Review from verified client

March, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

He is approachable and responds promptly to queries. He takes care to explain the options and reasoning behind his recommendations. He gives us confidence that he is very knowledgable and conscientious.

What could they have done better?

Very satisfied with the service provided.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Buckinghamshire

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

I contacted Simon Ainley after I read an article about his firm. What he and his colleagues offered was a straightfoward service that lacked the expense and complexity of discretionary management but was still sophisticated. Essentially they focus on passive management (because active is generally hit-and-miss) which also supports their second aim, which is to minimise fund charges (because of the erosion that compound charges can have on your assets). They help you select a model portfolio that reflects your risk/return appetite and then use their buying power to have your money invested in wholesale institutional funds. It's an effective business model. Simon is a delight to deal with, explains things clearly, is responsive and epitomises integrity.

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Somerset

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon always explains things well and his advice is carefully tailored to my own attitudes to money (personal balance of spending and saving) and risk. Although he takes care of everything I still feel fully in control and able to change my mind. Regular reviews are important as my needs can change over time and Simon visits my home which makes a big difference to me.

What could they have done better?

I'm happy with everything.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon Ainley is knowledgeable, courteous and understanding. He always makes sure you understand what is being proposed and gives a clarity to any analysis required. You are always made to feel that he is on your side with a transparency that, for example, manifests itself in exposing the real and often hidden management charges of investment companies.

What could they have done better?

Although I steer away from top show and flashy offices (because that is where the fees end up) I think HHW needs more of a woman's touch in the client areas.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

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Value

Based in Outside UK

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

I wanted advice to transfer money placed offshore into another offshore bond. Simon undertook a risk assessment and then selected a mix of bond and equity funds to meet my needs. In general he was happy to offer advice on a range of financial matters and had good understanding of financial risk.

What could they have done better?

Simon's advice was good. With a modest amount to invest the money was assigned to pre selected funds meeting my risk appetite. Perhaps a more wider choice of funds could be offered, but, (I think) would require a higher fee.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Unbiased advice, experience and careful management. Pro-active advice and has offered some great andwell balanced investment strategies

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Good clear communication of structured financial investments which are aligned with my attitude to risk. Regular re-balancing of the portfolio to assure continued alignment. Occasional jettison / replacement of fund(s) as a result of portfolio components' performance analysis over time.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon explains the various investment options in a very clear and logical way, that helps me understand properly what is proposed. He is very transparent regarding fees. He doesn't knock competitors or alternative providers, but instead relies on logical arguments to help make our decisions well informed ones.

What could they have done better?

We would suggest a link up with a Tax advisor and a Solicitor to help provide advice on Wills, might help some clients (like us) who would value a recommendation in these areas.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

Overall

Advice

Service

Value

Based in Surrey

How has Simon Ainley helped you?

Simon initially gave me a questionnaire to complete on attitude to risk which established my attitude very accurately. He asked me for details of regular outgoings so he could calculate my financial needs for the present and future. He has been extremely patient and helpful whenever I have called upon him for advice whether it be on buying shares, work-place pensions, or filling in my tax self-assessment forms. Simon always explains his recommendations and communicate with clarity. I am always made to feel I am welcome to come to him with any financial queries I might have. The charges were explained from the beginning and I believe that I am getting value for money.

What could they have done better?

I'm sorry but I really don't have any suggestions as to what Simon could do to improve as I am extremely happy with the service he provides.