Dominic Thomas

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

October, 2015

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Dominic

Very Helpful. Provided right level of advise. Wasn't pushy at all. Charges weren't mentioned as as per his suggestion, I would be better off seeing a solicitor or an accountant.

Dominic's reply

I advised this person to seek legal advice, which is what they needed to properly prepare the ground before any financial advice should be considered. This was really an enquiry about property. Hence no fees.

Review from verified client

September, 2015

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

Savings.

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic listens to what you have say, repeats what you have said to make sure he heard what you said. He then gives his thoughts and considerations. From this the client can then make his decisions weather to use Dominic's services or not. There is no pressure to become a client, but from my experience his advice is excellent and has served us very well.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Things are on track as advised.

What could they have done better?

For myself and my circumstances there is nothing more Dominic can do, he is at the end of the telephone or available to e-mail should I require any help and responds quickly and efficiently.

First impression from a user who is not yet a client

June, 2015

Please provide a brief comment about your experience with Dominic

I have yet to make any firm decisions about my financial future, but so far, in my initial dealings, Dominic has been very helpful, quick to reply to my emails, and has given me the relevant information that I need to make some important decisions.

Review from verified client

December, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

I have known Dominic as my IFA for over 20 years. I like his approach which is based on finding out who we are & what we want, our aspirations, long term plans, how comfortable we are with risk and so on. He offers a very personal service. There is no hard sell. I have never thought about going elsewhere because I trust him and his advice. He responds promptly to my emails (and tolerates my slow responses to his messages or letters without complaint!). I gave him 5/5 because I am completely satisfied with his service. To be honest I don't actually know how his fees compare with other IFAs because I have never felt the need to investigate alternatives.

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind.

Review from verified client

November, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

He seeks to understand your overall life proiorities and then matches investments to them. And so puts the horse before the cart.

What could they have done better?

Monetise the improvements he has effected so monthly charges seems less painful to make!

Review from verified client

October, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Solomon's have given us advice for some 15 years - Dominic gets us to think through our attitudes to savings and risk and his assurance is really appreciated. We might have a conservative , passive attitude but Dominic's diligence in pressing for review meetings with us and his constructive suggestions keeps us on our toes. This is essential to ensure that our savings and investments are on schedule and are in the right place.

What could they have done better?

I wonder whether there is a possibility of measuring savings levels and returns against some statistics - is the proportion of income we are saving comparable with others - how doe the returns weigh up against average returns elsewhere

Review from verified client

October, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Is approachable and does not over-sell. Dominic Thomas has a very good manner to him, he helps explains the jargon of finances clearly, gives you space to make decisions and makes sure that you really understand what you are doing. Another, strength is that Dominic looks at the 'whole life' perspective and what you want to achieve in your life. How money should serve you, and not the other way around.

What could they have done better?

It's difficult to answer this one as Dominic does a great job. Some times we have a lot of information to read through and digest, but this may be more to do with the nature of financing as opposed to the way in which Dominic manages himself.

Review from verified client

October, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

I have received proactive and very good general finance advice and on pensions. Dom has taken care to understand my needs and researched the options and tailored the solution.

What could they have done better?

Although I am sure his advice has out weight his fees it would be good to see this benefit spelt out and get a sense of margin difference between benefit and cost.

Review from verified client

October, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic Thomas maps out the financial situation very clearly and proposes courses of action which suit us. He is always available to answer queries and sympathetic when we are doubtful about what to do. Perhaps one of the most important things is that he never talks down to us, never makes us feel foolish for not understanding financial matters fully. His advice always makes sense, and we are pleased to act on it.

What could they have done better?

We can't think of anything Dominic needs to do better - he has even travelled to meet us when it has been possible for him. The personal touch is important to us.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

He understands our requirements and our particular interests (and hangups!) Listens to what we say and takes our comments on board. Is aware of how the markets work and seems very quick to make changes to our portfolio when necessary. Is always available if we have questions and visits us regularly -we don't have to go and see him-a great advantage.

What could they have done better?

We can't think of much at present.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic sets out clearly the options available and provides well argued reasoning as to the best option for your particular circumstances

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic Thomas does something quite rare amongst professional people... he really listens to you and asks intelligent questions. The benefit of this is that his input and advice is both relevant and insightful. I highly recommend Dominic and Solomon's.

What could they have done better?

Response to questions could be quicker but this has not been a significant problem.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Boyd, Cambridgeshire. Always gives a thorough financial yearly review with reliable advice on how to plan for a financially secure retirement.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic has been advising me for a long time and has always provided prompt and helpful advice. He managed to get me a good small annuity on my late wife's pension fund.

What could they have done better?

Use a better profile picture! The Dominic I know looks much less like an Eastern European oligarch. Seriously, I find Dominic provides me with exactly the right level of service I require in a highly professional manner.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

We have always appreciated Dominic advice, and his team have always been friendly and helpful

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic tailors his advice very precisely to my needs. He is careful to assess my needs, as often I am unclear as to what these are. He provides excellent explanation of options, and is always detailed. Dominic is careful, thorough and makes financial planning interesting. Whilst I find these matters dry and frankly scary, he is enthusiastic and reassuring.

What could they have done better?

I would like Dominic to be proactive in reminding me to do my ISA every year. Additionally, if there were any other area to advise, it would be that of savings - I remain unclear as to where my cash savings should be best held.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic listens carefully and patiently as I struggle with financial planning and can have difficulty working out what to do and articulating what I want. I have great confidence in Dominic's ability to understand interpret what I am saying and translate that into what needs doing. He has helped me and my husband prioritize what we need to do and free us to move forward and make decisions with confidence.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic explains financial matters very clearly. He also listens well to our worries and answers our questions carefully.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic takes time to understand our situation, and sympathetically considers the options with us. My sense is that he has a very good grasp, not just of financial issues, but on how they relate to and impact on real life situations.

What could they have done better?

Nothing comes to mind

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Understands our needs and recommends solutions that align with our current and future needs.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

I am afraid my opinion does not fit into any of your categories, as I have not compared the charges to those of any other financial advisor. I also have not seen the results of the advice yet. As I cannot complete the survey otherwise I have chosen very good

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic Thomas is a lifeline. The subject of pensions, savings, what I will need when I retire and how I get there - what level of risk I need to take and don't need to take are all baffling to me, but Dominic patiently and clearly explains and explains again. He steers you to making the best decision for you - it isn't a one fit for all. I really am grateful to Dominic for making me feel that I can have a future to look forward to.

What could they have done better?

Personally, I don't read the brochure or website materials - I wouldn't be able to extrapolate what's relevant for me that way. I could do without all that information and replace it with ad hoc telephone conversations with Dominic at moments when I want up-to-date information about my savings or pensions accounts.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic is always very aware of the products that are available in the marketplace and is normally very quick to spot a product that is very likely to be better for my circumstances. He also Keeps a good watch on the funds available within a financial package and will recommend switching if it is best for my portfolio. I have complete confidence in that Dominic is always doing his best to achieve the best possible outcome with regard to the resources that I have.

What could they have done better?

My pension portfolio is very fragmented and it would be helpful to get an overall view as to where I might stand at retirement.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

I am probably one of Dominic's smaller investors, but he takes the trouble to offer really good advice about my investments and financial planning. He has gone to considerable length to understand my financial background, attitudes to risk and life-sytle choices. The packages that he develops as a result of that understanding are well suited to my income and required investment level. His investment stratgey meets my middle-of-the-road attitude to risk very well and at no time have I felt that my situation has been compromised by his choices, or that I was taking unecessary investment risks. He always discusses these in full when we meet, so I feel well informed about the decsions. I think this promotes peace of mind and a stronger sense of financial security. One of the things that Dominic does so well, and I think this marks him out from the crowd, is understanding one's life situation and needs - both now and for the future. This is important in terms of financial planning, as he aims to produce investment models designed to help realise current and future aspirations, life-styles and choices. He really does get you to think about this side of the affair, which is most welcome and, I think, refreshing from a financial advisor. Finally, I find his careful explanation of the proposals and plans he makes, together with the options surrounding them, to be really helpful. He is clear in his approach, uses straightforward language (minus jargon) that someone with really only an average financial expertise can understand. I feel that I can really trust him and there are no surprises.

What could they have done better?

I've thought hard about this and there's not much I'd say he could do better - really. However, as a thought, although I regularly complete attitude to risk assessments, I wonder if he might sometimes challenge the 'middleness' of the risk results and possbily offer projections (as much as these can be calculated) and options based on stepped higher levels of risk, which would make for some comparisons for higher - though less certain - returns that would offer food for thought. However, it's highly likely I'd stick with the level of risk I am comfortable with, so he probably knows me well enough not to push this too much and challenge my sense of financial security! Equally, the time he takes to carefully understand one's siituation would also mitigate against edging the risk side too much.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic provides a bespoke expert service that is tailored to the needs of my family and myself. His advice is always measured and balanced, and always includes a range of options, and looks both at current needs and the future. He has a very good grasp of current rules and regulations that effect my circumstances. He works hard at understanding my needs, and those of my wife and children. I never feel pressured into buying products. The costs of his services are very good and favourable compared to what colleagues are paying.

What could they have done better?

I have no specific issues so this is difficult. I'm not very good at filling in forms and responding to e-mails, and may be he should be a little firmer.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Comprehensive and painstaking assessment, thorough and detailed discussion with diligent follow through of agreed objectives. Very readily contactable.

What could they have done better?

I'd like to see the newsletter a bit more individualized to my specific needs and interest, if this is at al possible.

Review from verified client

September, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic listens to your needs and advises based on his view of what suits you best . I would highly recommend his service, as he is the friendly face of financial services.

Review from verified client

April, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Very trustworthy, honest opinion, says what he's going to do, then does what he says he will. If we don't understand something the first time around, he uses a different approach the next - we eventually get there. We don't expect him to get things right every time. What we do expect is that he will always do his very best. And that is exactly what he does - couldn't ask for more. I can't imagine putting so much trust in anyone else and I hope Dom will be happy to keep us on as clients at least until we retire (a while to go yet). Ask me again in 15-20 years time and see the fruits of all his hard work! Keep up the good work Dom (and team).

What could they have done better?

Tricky. Not much. There are always areas to improve on. We mainly communicate via e-mail, telephone or webinar - rarely ever meeting in the flesh these days. Several years ago I misunderstood Dom's open frankness as inappropriate and simply didn't have the time or the inclination to work through it. However, since then he has won me over (very difficult to re-earn trust - an admirable quality) and I understand better now how he approaches things. Now I much prefer his openness and ability to cut through all the detail and get to the chase. Perhaps it is because I trust his opinion implicitly and therefore appreciate getting straight to the point without all the time wasting. Sometimes things have gone slightly astray, lost in translation between Dom and his PA - but I count this as insignificant, unworthy of bringing to his attention. This is really splitting hairs. The most important thing to me is trust, knowledge and ability to act quickly and efficiently when required. Dom does all this well. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to others based on my own experience, which has by now been for many years, since before he setup his own business.

Review from verified client

February, 2014

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

The information from Dominic is given in a way that we understand and have confidence in. He takes time to answer questions and explains all options clearly with some excellent graphics. He clearly has a vast amount of knowledge and expertise. We are now approaching our retirement with more confidence and peace of mind.

What could they have done better?

Dominic met all our expectations. We would like to have had face to face meetings.

Review from verified client

November, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Alway responds to emails and makes sure that review occur twice yearly. Pesters if I leave jobs undone that need attention. Shows graphic illustrations of future financial calculations for different scenarios. Manages and investments well to increase investments. Works in an open and ethical way.

What could they have done better?

Nothing to complain about in all honesty.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic is very attentive to his customers and genuinely seeks the best deals. He takes time to get to know his clients and his independence of any particular provider enables him to match the advice closely with the clients requirements - i.e. his service is very bespoke.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic listens to what you have say, repeats what you have said to make sure he heard what you said. He then gives his thoughts and considerations. From this the client can then make his decisions weather to use Dominic's services or not. There is no pressure to become a client, but from my experience his advice is excellent and has served us very well.

What could they have done better?

For myself and my circumstances there is nothing more Dominic can do, he is at the end of the telephone or available to e-mail should I require any help and responds quickly and efficiently.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

As ‘non-financial’ people we have appreciated the analysis that has helped us understand our financial situation and how to manage it going forward. The advice we have received has been clear, friendly and has helped us make decisions about how we manage our finances in the future. We have not shopped around for a financial adviser, hence our inability to rate the value for money question higher, as for us it is a matter of trust and Dominic came recommended very highly. If we were to stop working with him we would probably not use another advisor instead.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Not only has Dominic provided advice and expertise to get my financial matters in order, so I am covered in all areas that I believe to be important, but his approach to financial planning is holistic. He is very good at getting you to think long term and to regualrly review what you want the future to hold and project your financial needs to satisfy those needs. It can sometimes be a little shocking as to how soon these needs will come around, so the regular face to face reviews and discussions are a good way to keep this in mind and make sure your investments and protection are working towards your goals.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Excellent personal service. Really looks at what you want from your finances and where your financial needs are going to be over the coming years. Good at reminding you when things need to be reviewed and whether increases in ongoing policies are required. Very sensible advice. Good at understanding the needs of doctors especially.Very accommodating at meeting up and understands the demands of a busy work schedule. Doesn't pressurise you at all into adopting any policy- he is a very good balanced opinion.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic always takes time to understand my personal, professional and whimsical circumstances. He tailors his advice to me as an individual. He is open, honest, personable and friendly. He is patriarchal if needed, but more often a very knowledgeable and helpful friend.

What could they have done better?

Ah, this is difficult. I have known Dominic a long time, and I am very comfortable with the content and style of his advice. I simply can't think of how I would prefer him to be.

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Contacts regularly and responds promptly to questions Checks the best way to contact clients (I'm not easy to contact by day)

What could they have done better?

Don't know, I suppose that after so many years I have no comparison

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic Thomas has developed SolomonÂ’s into a truly outstanding Financial Advice business that leads the field. They are, of course, experts in financial matters but just as importantly they truly understand that financial planning, practiced at the highest level, is about helping people live authentic lives. A conversation with SolomonÂ’s is a unique experience because it puts you in touch with whatÂ’s most important to you and then connects this with how you run your finances. The result is intelligent financial decisions that give you peace of mind and confidence in the future. How many people can say this about their advisers?

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic provides very clear, thorough and well thought through advice. He is particularly good at helping you to "see the wood from the trees" helping you to focus on the key financial priorities. He is particularly good at providing peace of mind and cutting through the jargon and mysteries of the financial world!

Review from verified client

October, 2013

How has Dominic Thomas helped you?

Dominic provides bespoke advice that is timely and meets our needs. He has a good understanding of our situation and his sensible advice fits the levels of risk we are willing to take with our investments.

What could they have done better?

Keep up the good work